My Response to Raleigh :(
I emailed Ten Club today to ask for a refund for my Wrigley GA fan club tickets. I do not agree with disrespecting 14,000 ticket holders to make a political point.
The law passed on March 26th, if they are so attuned to the situation they should have given notice then. To jump on a political bandwagon as a way to denounce the "bathroom law" in North Carolina is too much. They have decided to exercise their 1st amendment rights and crush the rights of 14,000 fans. For the record I disagree with the law. But I feel more strongly against this reaction.
The civil rights movement showed the power of non-violent protest and putting things in the forefront. Lunch counter sit-ins and marching in Selma did more for civil rights than the boycott by musicians in the 80's from playing in South Africa. One is active protest and the other is an elitist way to avoid conflict.
The better protest would have been to have the concert, with a demonstration outside of the venue, before hand, Even escort transgendered individuals to the "wrong" bathroom whatever that means. Show defiance and solidarity.
I think Springsteen and now Pearl Jam have really missed an opportunity to show a more powerful stand on human rights by performing and protesting which would have allowed their fans to show their support for the cause.
Music and politics don't mix for me, and in this situation stomping on your fans to make a statement comes across as really elitist.
The law passed on March 26th, if they are so attuned to the situation they should have given notice then. To jump on a political bandwagon as a way to denounce the "bathroom law" in North Carolina is too much. They have decided to exercise their 1st amendment rights and crush the rights of 14,000 fans. For the record I disagree with the law. But I feel more strongly against this reaction.
The civil rights movement showed the power of non-violent protest and putting things in the forefront. Lunch counter sit-ins and marching in Selma did more for civil rights than the boycott by musicians in the 80's from playing in South Africa. One is active protest and the other is an elitist way to avoid conflict.
The better protest would have been to have the concert, with a demonstration outside of the venue, before hand, Even escort transgendered individuals to the "wrong" bathroom whatever that means. Show defiance and solidarity.
I think Springsteen and now Pearl Jam have really missed an opportunity to show a more powerful stand on human rights by performing and protesting which would have allowed their fans to show their support for the cause.
Music and politics don't mix for me, and in this situation stomping on your fans to make a statement comes across as really elitist.
"If you are listening to this bootleg in Alaska, open the front door." Eddie Vedder 10/8/00
Alpine Valley: 6/26/98, 10/8/00, 6/21/03, 9/3/11 Target Center: 6/30/98
Summerfest: 6/30/06 Music Midtown: 9/22/12 Wrigley Field: 7/19 & 7/20/13, 8/20/16
Charlotte: 10/30/13
Greenville: 4/16/16, Columbia 4/21/16, Wrigley Field: 8/20/2016
Pinkpop: 6/18/2022
Alpine Valley: 6/26/98, 10/8/00, 6/21/03, 9/3/11 Target Center: 6/30/98
Summerfest: 6/30/06 Music Midtown: 9/22/12 Wrigley Field: 7/19 & 7/20/13, 8/20/16
Charlotte: 10/30/13
Greenville: 4/16/16, Columbia 4/21/16, Wrigley Field: 8/20/2016
Pinkpop: 6/18/2022
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Comments
It's their opinion and it's at least not a hateful rant.
Personally I'm going to wrigley and I can't wait. I'm glad this band is principled. No one is perfect, they messed this up on the timing for sure. But like the NC government, Pearl Jam can fix their mistake as well.
I mean for a rant here, America as a whole is comfortable buying smartphones made in China by workers who couldn't afford to buy the phone they assemble. As a society, we shop at Wal-Mart to pay as little as possible for everything, and don't mind how Wal-Mart treats suppliers or their employees. I guess something as trivial as the band cancelling a show doesn't even register with most of the country.
Alpine Valley: 6/26/98, 10/8/00, 6/21/03, 9/3/11 Target Center: 6/30/98
Summerfest: 6/30/06 Music Midtown: 9/22/12 Wrigley Field: 7/19 & 7/20/13, 8/20/16
Charlotte: 10/30/13
Greenville: 4/16/16, Columbia 4/21/16, Wrigley Field: 8/20/2016
Pinkpop: 6/18/2022
My question/issue is not the cancelation, but why wait so long? By doing so they knowingly threw their most dedicated fans under the bus
Last: SEA2 08/10/2018
Next: ??
http://expressobeans.com/members/collections.php?id=29417
“I think you won, but I enjoyed the fight” - EV
Nuclear fission
This band has been political since the very beginning.
In 1994-1995, when they did the "sponsored by no one" tour...they made the fans jump through hoops because they tried to not use ticketmaster venues. A lot of fans reacted in the EXACT same way as people are now. And THAT boycott was brutal for an entire tour. And more.
Now we have a situation where peoples lives are being affected by these laws....and they make a controversial decision to do this.
So...i get it....it sucks....they made a stand....it could have been sooner but its not about you. Its about the people who have to live their lives under this type of law.
Again....i get it. I would be furious if this happened. Livid. I would be venting, too. I would be pissed (and i am pissed) at the people who made these laws and not the band. Even if PJ messes up every now and then.....really....cutting out your entire history with the band?
I dont get it.
Nuclear fission
Oh wait....
I'll be back eventually, but that doesn't mean I am not angry and disgusted *right now* that they bailed on Raleigh at the last minute, disallowing me to chance to see them in N.C. or in a neighboring state.
I've been a fan since 1992.
06.26.2006 • St. Paul
11.30.2012 • Fort Lauderdale [EV]
10.29.2013 • Charlottesville
Nuclear fission
They should've cancelled the Florida shows as well if they really feel passionate about this issue. Singling out NC sends the message that they're boycotting as part of the bandwagon instead of truly making a lasting message. I think a strong message like that would've oddly resulted in FEWER people upset because it shows true conviction and not something that simply keeps their ethos intact.
06: Camden, Washington DC, 08: Va Beach, Washington DC
09: Philly 2+3, 10: Bristow, 11: East Troy PJ20 1+2, 13: Baltimore, Charlottesville
"Some things are more important than a rock show..."
I paid for parking. I paid for concessions. I sat in the rain for 3 hours, then the called the game. They never threw 1 pitch.
Now, this is a much smaller scale, right? But same point. Only....in the case of the Baseball game, i KNOW they did it for the money. I'm sure there were travelers. Im sure there were people attending their first game. Im sure there were people who would have preferred they just call the game WAY before people got there. It would have saved me 25 bucks on parking, and 20-30 bucks on concessions.
But i am still a fan of the team...even tho i KNOW they hosed me.
So, trying to use this as a framework...pj didnt do this forna cash grab. They didnt do this to INTENTIONALLY hurt their fans. They did this on principle. I think the timing is definitely an issue. But I dont understand the downright outrage against the band. Its 100% acceptable to be upset and vent. Totally get that.
But to cancel your membership? Ask for refunds for future concerts?
That would be like giving up your season tickets, or wanting a refund on a future game, because the team did one thing wrong.
So, again, its not a perfect analogy.
But lets say for arguments sake that PJ totally fucked this up. Is this unforgivable? I dont see how this answer could be yes.
Nuclear fission
I think Brandi Carlile and Jimmy Buffet said it far, far better.
-- From Brandi Carlile's Facebook page:
"...I'm a small artist, and I'm gay, many of my fans are gay as well.
To cancel my shows in NC would further oppress my fans who are hurt by this legislation, who worked hard to suppress it, and who need a place where they can come together. That's why we intend to be in Wilkesboro, Charlotte, Asheville, and Greensboro this summer. We're going to come together, let our voices be heard, not stand down, and make a joyful noise in the face of this insult of a law..."
-- And from Jimmy Buffet:
"These shows were booked and sold out long before the governor signed that stupid law. I am not going to let stupidity or bigotry trump fun for my loyal fans this year. We will be playing in Raleigh and Charlotte next week." -Jimmy Buffet
8-3-00 - Virginia Beach
4-16-03 - Charlotte
5-27-06 - Camden 1
5-28-06 - Camden 2
5-30-06 - DC
6-17-08 - Virginia Beach
6-22-08 - DC
5-13-10 - Bristow
10-27-13 - Baltimore
10-29-13 - Charlottesville
4-18-16 - Hampton
'10- MSG 1-2 '11- PJ20
'12- MIA; DeLuna '13- Wrigley; Pitt; Brooklyn 1-2; Philly 1-2; Baltimore; Seattle
'14- Denver '16- Philly 1-2; MSG 2
'17- Pilgrimage Music Fest (Eddie)
'18- Fenway
I dont know anyone who agrees with everything this band has done. Be it music, merch, causes, etc. But there will always be some people who side with the band. Which is different from always some people who always side with the band.
If that made sense....haha
Nuclear fission
If enough people do this, over a period of time, and dont let up, they will have no choice but to overturn it.
Then, people can move on to the next state and boycott that one.
If people just say "we are going to honor our fans"...nobody cares what PJ says at their concert. Does anyone think a politician is going to listen to eddie and change their mind?
Nuclear fission
A band cancelled a show people wanted to attend, in a timeframe that people found to be inconvenient and expensive. Even considering the woulda, coulda, shouldas, it doesn't sound very offensive to me. I'm sad for all the people planning to attend, and the people who lost some dough in the process.
I think the important thing to remember is that the band is trying to do something good! People may not agree with the cause, or with the methods used, but PJ are trying to lend a hand to something they see as important. It isn't a secret plot to alienate fans. If you're miffed about the handling - okay (even though none of us know the actual details/reasoning). If you're looking for an apology because you feel inconvenienced... I don't think they owe one to anybody.
I hope people spend their newfound time telling local NC government how pissed they are about the show being cancelled. I hope people share their thoughts on the legislation to appropriate parties. Change is made in such ways.