Pearl Jam Cancels 4/20 Raleigh, NC Concert in Opposition to HB2; Official Band Statement

scornlander

I didn't have Raleigh tickets but I still feel like a sucker for thinking PJ was one of the most fan-friendly bands out there.

PJ_Soul

Ledbetterman10 said:

PJ_Soul said:

Ledbetterman10 said:

PJ_Soul said:

Ledbetterman10 said:

PJ_Soul said:

JP Losman said:

If they truly believe in this cause, they will cancel MSG and Philly shows. There is not much of an economic hit by cancelling one PJ show in Raleigh, but the NBA all star game is BIG business. MSG and Philly both also are partners with the NBA, so by cancelling those shows, they are putting pressure on the NBA to go through with moving the All star game instead of just threats. If PJ truly is committed to making a difference and wants a good conscience, then they should do that.

But they won't. Because they aren't really doing this for the cause but for their image. And its not a debate or an opinion that they are hypocrites. Its a fact. Because you play in cities and states and countries with bad laws too but don't boycott, it makes you a hypocrite. Because you aren't going full out and doing everything within your power to overturn HB2 which could be helped by things like cancelling MSG and Philly, you are a hypocrite.

Now you can say its not a big deal and they can choose their battles and I agree with that. Doesn't change the fact they are hypocrites.

This is like saying that Gandhi is a hypocrite for not protesting against Britain's control of Australia (no, I don't mean the the band is like Gandhi, lol).
It is NOT hypocritical to pick a specific fight.

I'm not sure boycotting something is "picking a fight." It's more tantamount to "taking your ball and going home." Boycotting a service that you need is a different story. For example, if the gas prices rose to such an astronomical price due not to the cost of gas, but to the greed of the oil industries, and people boycotted getting gas and began walking/riding bikes in protest.

boy·cott/ˈboiˌkät/
verb

withdraw from commercial or social relations with (a country, organization, or person) as a punishment or protest.

noun

a punitive ban that forbids relations with certain groups, cooperation with a policy, or the handling of goods.

That's cute. Yeah...I know what a boycott is. I don't see where in my post it implies that I don't. You said that Pearl Jam's boycott "was picking a fight" and I said that it's "taking your ball and going home" (both are boycott strategies I suppose). I used that gas company boycott analogy as an example of what I think "picking a fight" through a boycott would be.

I did mean picking a fight as in starting one. I meant it as in choosing your battles. Pick as in selecting.

Fair enough. But I still think picking this particular battle is grandstanding. Florida has many laws aren't exactly LGBT-friendly. But that's not currently a topic in the news.

I feel like it's simply about them joining a fight that someone else started, which is perfectly admirable IMO. No one had started anything to join in Florida. I see nothing wrong with PJ joining up with other voices when they see something is happening and they care about it. I have no clue why anyone would think it's grandstanding. I can think of nothing that PJ has ever done to suddenly justify that assumption.

BCBA

that movement is just farts in the wind though. The buzz is already gone, and the show wouldn't have even happened yet. Pearl Jam cancelling is old news, other than the chatter here and on the PJ facebook groups, mainly arguing between people who are hugely disappointed.... and others telling them that it isn't any big deal.

It was a 'move' that accomplished nothing. The collateral damage was the fans. Nobody benefited. This law is illegal and getting railroaded no matter what

PJ_Soul

BCBA said:

that movement is just farts in the wind though. The buzz is already gone, and the show wouldn't have even happened yet. Pearl Jam cancelling is old news, other than the chatter here and on the PJ facebook groups, mainly arguing between people who are hugely disappointed.... and others telling them that it isn't any big deal.

It was a 'move' that accomplished nothing. The collateral damage was the fans. Nobody benefited. This law is illegal and getting railroaded no matter what

It's a voice among many and over time - how are you not getting that? But even if it did end up being a failed movement (and i totally disagree that it will be), so what?? Are you saying that the only battles that we fight should be ones we 100% know we can immediately win?? That is a sad perspective, and i am so thankful that those who helped to win so many of our rights and freedoms weren't that weak.

BCBA

its not about not winning.

This law is going to be roasted anyways. Lost a major legal battle yesterday. Cancelling was pointless

PJ_Soul

BCBA said:

its not about not winning.

This law is going to be roasted anyways. Lost a major legal battle yesterday. Cancelling was pointless

I doubt the band feels that it was pointless. They did what they thought was the right thing to do, so right there, all else aside, is a pretty big point.

myoung321

BCBA said:

its not about not winning.

This law is going to be roasted anyways. Lost a major legal battle yesterday. Cancelling was pointless

If it was business as usual, then they wouldn't be worried about changing the law... Saw yesterday it costs Raleigh an estimated 3.2 million in lost revenue for just the Bruce and PJ shows..

But the way you see it is.. I guess Rosa Parks should have just went to the back of the bus or MLK should have just stayed at home cause segregation laws and lack of Civil Rights will eventually be "roasted anyways"

If you can't see a clear reason to support the bands difficult choice, then why are even a fan of a band you don't understand? No different than weird ultra conservatives bitching about the bands politics... REALLY??? NO REALLY???? Pearl Jam has always been a Liberal Progressive thinking band. That' who they are...and that's who most of their fans are..

PJ_Soul

myoung321 said:

BCBA said:

its not about not winning.

This law is going to be roasted anyways. Lost a major legal battle yesterday. Cancelling was pointless

If it was business as usual, then they wouldn't be worried about changing the law... Saw yesterday it costs Raleigh an estimated 3.2 million in lost revenue for just the Bruce and PJ shows..

But the way you see it is.. I guess Rosa Parks should have just went to the back of the bus or MLK should have just stayed at home cause segregation laws and lack of Civil Rights will eventually be "roasted anyways"

Thank you.

BCBA

ok. same thing, really. lol


This was a pandering move by politicians on the hot seat conducted in a back room.

bootlegger10

myoung321 said:

BCBA said:

its not about not winning.

This law is going to be roasted anyways. Lost a major legal battle yesterday. Cancelling was pointless

If it was business as usual, then they wouldn't be worried about changing the law... Saw yesterday it costs Raleigh an estimated 3.2 million in lost revenue for just the Bruce and PJ shows..

But the way you see it is.. I guess Rosa Parks should have just went to the back of the bus or MLK should have just stayed at home cause segregation laws and lack of Civil Rights will eventually be "roasted anyways"

If you can't see a clear reason to support the bands difficult choice, then why are even a fan of a band you don't understand? No different than weird ultra conservatives bitching about the bands politics... REALLY??? NO REALLY???? Pearl Jam has always been a Liberal Progressive thinking band. That' who they are...and that's who most of their fans are..

I would not compare Bruce Springsteen and Pearl Jam to Rosa Parks and MLK. Rosa Parks and MLK DID SOMETHING. Springsteen and PJ did not do anything, but USED their fans to make a political statement. They did not ask or consult their fans.

Pearl Jam might lose a few hundred fans out of this? They'll add another show or two to their next tour to make up for the lost revenue or cancellation fees. They may have some paperwork or legal issues to deal with but past that they aren't exactly going out on a limb or anything. They took the easy route so they could hold their heads up at the next dinner party with Bruce.

PJ_Soul

You really think that they should have consulted with their fans before making a decision about a statement they personally want to make? They are still the guy's on stage and deciding to go up there. They can cancel a show without asking permission, whatever the reason.

Jason P

I think I can see The Fonz on some water skis off in the far distance ...

bootlegger10

PJ_Soul said:

You really think that they should have consulted with their fans before making a decision about a statement they personally want to make? They are still the guy's on stage and deciding to go up there. They can cancel a show without asking permission, whatever the reason.

No, I think they should have played the show they invited people to come to (for a fee as well).

But again, I don't think it is brave or give any credit to Bruce and Eddie to make a political stand by using their fans. Bruce and Eddie did not sacrifice anything. They didn't even sacrifice their time.

Dr. Matt

Frankly and honestly, I really hope a lot of people that are so unhappy about PJ's decision will not renew their PJ10 club memberships so the rest of us can move up in seniority. Grow a set of balls and make it so.

breakmarysfall

KN88208 said:

I won GA lottery tickets for the 4/20 show. Like many others, I was devastated when I received the cancellation email on Monday.

As a happy, successful man, PJ has been an intricate part of my life for 25 years. Their music is poetic, and their shows are therapeutic. Because of PJ, I've developed global friendships and attended shows all over the country. Without PJ, I would not be the friend, husband, son etc. I am today. They offer hope and excitement, among many other things.

This band was put on earth for a reason... For the greater good of many lives...

PJ didn't cancel 4/20 because of me or the other 20 thousand fans. They canceled the show on the state of NC due to their despicable, discriminatory laws.

Forever grateful fan,
See you in Columbia!

I double that ... great wording and a perfect sumup, reflecting also my point of view on this wonderful band

thanks alot!

farfromglorified

Today sucks.

KV4053

Jason P said:

I think I can see The Fonz on some water skis off in the far distance ...

Bwahahahahaaaaa

Agreed

Spiritual_Chaos

Dr. Matt said:

Frankly and honestly, I really hope a lot of people that are so unhappy about PJ's decision will not renew their PJ10 club memberships so the rest of us can move up in seniority. Grow a set of balls and make it so.

The number one most tired type of response on this message board ever.

JF657419

Because an unjust state law passed behind closed doors and soon to be repealed after being in effect for a couple months is the same as the Civil Rights movement. Over dramatize much?

BF25394

bootlegger10 said:

Bruce and Eddie did not sacrifice anything. They didn't even sacrifice their time.

They didn't sacrifice anything? They make money off of these shows.