Question for Republifans

cp3iverson

I usually don't care to learn of any celebrity’s political views.  It’s no different than not caring what your coworker’s views are lol.  Obviously with a social/political hinting band you’ll hear stuff. No big deal.  Doesn't change my opinion of them either way usually.  

Everyone is different so i dont let someone’s party really matter to me.  If someone votes democrat i dont think any more or less of them. Same if someone votes republican. 

Im not voting for either party so i truly don’t care.

CJ260717

So I can handle any opinion that is the opposite of mine, but I like it to be thought out and not a rant.  I’m even ok with going to a show and hearing shit I disagree with.  But… Eddie is going to get hammered and rant this tour.  That’s a waste of everybody’s time.  He was drunk AF at Fenway 2018.

Yes – I am the wearing the Shut up and Sing cap.  I’m not dumb and don’t need to get educated at a show.

Regardless – I’m so pumped to see these guys on this tour.  I think it is going to be one for the books.  I think we are all in for a great tour.

riley540

I’m a right leaning independent. Disagree with the band on some stuff. I’ve been to 7 shows and know the bands politics. I think they do it in such a tactful way and they are supportive of everyone having their own opinions, that I don’t get bothered at all. I absolutely love riot act, etc. 

I don’t know. I’m not stuck in an echo chamber. They are my all time favorite band and totally cheer when they bash republicans and everything 🤣. 

jstu39

I’m not registered with either party, but I’m there for the music, the artistic expression. Artists in general lean left, so you know that going in. I can enjoy a well crafted song, or book, or any form of expression that tells a great story or makes me think or moves me, even if I don’t agree with the message. My views on many things have evolved over the years, so I hope I am open to other points of view. I think any of these artists from either side are more effective when telling a story with their gift, their talent and their art, and not by ranting or using a platform like twitter to tell one side they are wrong or seek validation from like minded followers. I wish I had the talent as a storyteller to craft a narrative or verse and be able to subtly weave a message into the art. 

BF25394

It always puzzles me when fans get upset that artists who have written songs that address contemporary issues, including political issues, choose to speak about their politics at shows.  ("Hey, Bono, I don't want to hear about your politics.  Now sing 'Sunday Bloody Sunday!'")  By the same token, if you just won an Oscar for your documentary short about sex trafficking, I'm fully expecting you to use your 45 seconds to say something to try to galvanize action against sex trafficking.

Having said that, I think that artists-- musicians, but also and especially film and television actors and writers-- tend not to realize just how alienating they can be when they choose to express their political views on award shows or in interviews.  It's often not about substance; it's about tone, and it ends up being counterproductive to the political outcomes they would like to see.  For every like-minded person that may find succor in an actor's polemic about whichever politician or political issue, two other people are pushed away.  It's not the biggest factor in our increasing polarization-- that blame lies with partisan media (particularly cable news channels) and people's increasing ability to construct an information bubble that insulates them from hearing facts that challenge their worldview-- but it's one of the factors.

Full disclosure: I am a lifelong registered non-partisan who strongly disapproves of the current president and strongly approved of his predecessor.

iwasatpj20

For disclosure, I'm a libertarian.

I'm going to enjoy the music no matter what.  The fellow fans and live music make the shows interesting, not the political discussion.  Hopefully we all have a good time at the shows.

vant0037

pjl44 said:

Hankj25 said:

I’m a democrat. I really struggle when I see celebrities backing the current tangerine regime.  I never look at them the same. I’d struggle to give my money to a performer who I knew was outwardly supporting policies that I find despicable. 

As a Cubs fan, I’ve even found myself conflicted because of the ownership. Thankfully the Ricketts family has one Democrat I can support. The rest can pi$$ off. 

Brings up an interesting question. If you were at a concert and the singer gave a pro-Trump speech between songs, what would you do? Boo? Walk out? Bite your lip and wait until it was over? Let's say it was one time and like 30-60 seconds.

I have yet to find an artist that makes good music and is a republican.  Their politics are incidental to me, so it’s always after the fact that I might find out their politics.  Make what you want of that.

PJattheGorge

I stopped giving a fuck about what celebrities thought way back in the early 90's.  Talk about it, or not during your show.  I couldn't care less about their thoughts on just about anything.  Especially things that affect my actual life.

KN219077

I don’t like the political stances of many of my favorite artists, coworkers, relatives etc., treating people poorly because they disagree with you makes you the problem. Political problems won’t ever get resolved until people work together to solve the real issues.

RobZ

I'm college educated, spent 51 years on this rock, traveled most of the world, and proudly served in the US military. I'm a registered Independent--liberal on some issues & conservative on others...with that said, politicians, musicians, actors, athletes, celebrities, and bitter little school-girls from Sweden are the LAST people on Earth whose opinion matters to me.

Looking forward to another great tour...

 
 
 

 

hedonist

jstu39 said:

I’m not registered with either party, but I’m there for the music, the artistic expression. Artists in general lean left, so you know that going in. I can enjoy a well crafted song, or book, or any form of expression that tells a great story or makes me think or moves me, even if I don’t agree with the message. My views on many things have evolved over the years, so I hope I am open to other points of view. I think any of these artists from either side are more effective when telling a story with their gift, their talent and their art, and not by ranting or using a platform like twitter to tell one side they are wrong or seek validation from like minded followers. I wish I had the talent as a storyteller to craft a narrative or verse and be able to subtly weave a message into the art. 

Well said.

blackhawks

The band has every right to say their liberal schtick.  Regardless of the buzz kill to the show.  It is the celebrity thing to do it seems.  But, I see it as quite arrogant.  Like I am
too stupid to make up my own mind, views, etc.   My political info doesn’t come from some sloshed singer in a band.  And how does that person think his view is in line with mine?  How would he know my plight?  If he would like to address it with me personally I am confident I would ‘win’ that discussion.  

It is just an arrogant thing to do to make themselves feel better.  And a good time for me to check my emails while I think.....you are a bit thick in the head Eddie.  

BF25394

blackhawks said:

My political info doesn’t come from some sloshed singer in a band.  And how does that person think his view is in line with mine?  How would he know my plight?  If he would like to address it with me personally I am confident I would ‘win’ that discussion.  

It is just an arrogant thing to do to make themselves feel better.  And a good time for me to check my emails while I think.....you are a bit thick in the head Eddie.  

How does he think his view is in line with yours?  Maybe because you paid money to see him sing the songs he wrote expressing his point of view.  Seems like a reasonable assumption to me for artists who express political ideas in their songs.  If I went to see an Adele concert and she started pontificating about Brexit or something in between her beautifully sung love songs, it would be weird.  For Eddie to go on a rant in the middle of a set of Pearl Jam songs, many of which are about social and political issues, seems natural to me, even if "sometimes I cringe" at the way he expresses his opinions about those issues.

By the way, I'm impressed by how you went from expressing confidence you would "win" an imaginary discussion to, in the next sentence, decrying another person's arrogance.  That's ironic.

Having said all this, an artist who chooses to share political opinions between songs should do so aware that he or she runs the risk of alienating some of their paying customers.  I go back to a point I made earlier, which is that it is often not the point being made that rankles, but the manner in which the point is made.  I probably share quite a few of Eddie Vedder's opinions on political and social issues but, often when I hear him talk about them, I think "you're doing more harm than good" or "you're preaching to the choir and not winning any converts."

prljmr316

Full disclosure: left wing socialist, Bernie backer, progressive, gay dude here. Flirted with Nader & Stien, but ultimately voted Gore/ Clinton

Two years ago, it was my birthday, nothing to do, Kid Rock in town, cheap tix, went, brought some friends. Great live performer, politically, persoally don't like him. It was a better experience than I thought it would be. Had great political discussion with the guy behind me, he was a conservative trump guy, but we kept it respectful, talked in between songs, not during, and both came away thinking more alike, than different in many ways! Even if not on core issues! He labeled me more of a libertarian, and I him a never Trumper, even if both labels meant nothing to either of us. I booed Kid where I felt appropriate, and cheered him otherwise, most did the same, they applauded his performance, but booed is political rant. I think Ed does a much more tactful and poetic version of this, Kids was a shitshow, pre meditated podium in my opinion ! Hence the cheap tickets for him, and a sold out $2700 GA tix on stub hub for Pearl Jam in the same venue imo! Denver such it is! Not to mention the better quality music! Haha! That said, Kid is a good live act, despite all his downfalls, and I enjoyed seeing him, even if I was on the defensive politically that night! I came away feeling I made a difference to at least one conservative, and he came away an honest figure as well, not the Nazi I anticipated! I think social media has made it easy to vilify one another, when in reality we are more alike than different in many areas, even if not in the way we would like! I will gladly cheer Ed, or Kid, and their free speech, as well as our own, to either boo, cheer, piss, abstain, boycott or whatever, in any of those scenarios, just don't get hurtful or violent! I myself am looking forward to a new Ed rant! Can't wait to here the evolution from 2003 Denver Ed, til current 2020 Ed! Be it said! Enjoy the show's, Repulifans or Jamicrats or in between!.

prljmr316

Helps to get out of the bubble at times, for everyone imo! Even if uncomfortable. Bottom line again, imo!

PB11041

iwasatpj20 said:

For disclosure, I'm a libertarian.

I'm going to enjoy the music no matter what.  The fellow fans and live music make the shows interesting, not the political discussion.  Hopefully we all have a good time at the shows.

Same.  And the band was part of the influence on that choice for me. 

I have no issue with the band talking politics, there are moments of inconsistency or selective amnesia particularly on Ed's part, but I full well know where they stand and I've accepted that for years.

The "shut up and sing" people confuse me.  To me it is "shut up and listen" and then people would realize that from day one this band had political and societal viewpoints that were abundantly clear.   

Drew263

So my wife and I were in Missoula as well and we do not align politically with the band but we're pretty open minded (no snide comments please lol) and decided to check out the pre-show political events at the stadium. We ended up having a long conversation with the animal rights group there about trapping, etc and it was great. So I'm fine with them being political. They've made me think about my political beliefs a lot and whether I agree with them on everything or not isn't the point, it's the fact that I've thought about it.

know1

Cahoots said:

Its safe to say this album and tour are going to have a political tone.  For me personally the artists I like are politically aligned to my values and PJ counts as one of those acts.  

But some people like the tunes but may not like the tones.  I ran into a couple of such people at the last show in Missoula.  They were genuine PJ music fans but they were not aligned with the messaging and the inference of support for a Democratic Senator.  Before the show started, they engaged their seat neighbors in a conversation which then evolved into a debate about "shut up and sing".  It went downhill super quickly.   I actually had to get both parties to shut up because it was so annoying and uncomfortable.

It fascinates me that someone might enter that arena prepared to boo a vocal artist who is obviously politically aligned one way or the other.   What's the expectation?

So my question to the forum is for vocally brave Republifans.   Does the music just over ride the underpinning message?  Did a little bit of you come to protest?  

Lets see how long we can keep this going with out it going south.


 

This is really a close minded question on a lot of levels.

One of the biggest being that people hear what they want out of music. Besides one or two very obvious songs, I don't generally hear politics in their songs. I'm there much more for the music than the lyrics. 

Ledbetterman10

prljmr316 said:

Full disclosure: left wing socialist, Bernie backer, progressive, gay dude here. Flirted with Nader & Stien, but ultimately voted Gore/ Clinton

Two years ago, it was my birthday, nothing to do, Kid Rock in town, cheap tix, went, brought some friends. Great live performer, politically, persoally don't like him. It was a better experience than I thought it would be. Had great political discussion with the guy behind me, he was a conservative trump guy, but we kept it respectful, talked in between songs, not during, and both came away thinking more alike, than different in many ways! Even if not on core issues! He labeled me more of a libertarian, and I him a never Trumper, even if both labels meant nothing to either of us. I booed Kid where I felt appropriate, and cheered him otherwise, most did the same, they applauded his performance, but booed is political rant. I think Ed does a much more tactful and poetic version of this, Kids was a shitshow, pre meditated podium in my opinion ! Hence the cheap tickets for him, and a sold out $2700 GA tix on stub hub for Pearl Jam in the same venue imo! Denver such it is! Not to mention the better quality music! Haha! That said, Kid is a good live act, despite all his downfalls, and I enjoyed seeing him, even if I was on the defensive politically that night! I came away feeling I made a difference to at least one conservative, and he came away an honest figure as well, not the Nazi I anticipated! I think social media has made it easy to vilify one another, when in reality we are more alike than different in many areas, even if not in the way we would like! I will gladly cheer Ed, or Kid, and their free speech, as well as our own, to either boo, cheer, piss, abstain, boycott or whatever, in any of those scenarios, just don't get hurtful or violent! I myself am looking forward to a new Ed rant! Can't wait to here the evolution from 2003 Denver Ed, til current 2020 Ed! Be it said! Enjoy the show's, Repulifans or Jamicrats or in between!.

Oh yeah, he's so tactful and poetic. Enjoy four minutes of drunken ranting about the word "fuck" until he gets to his political stylings about carbon emissions. But then, after four and half minutes of rambling on, they play a song! 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjQ89o_HLKQ

I do otherwise like the story of your experience at the Kid Rock concert. And that's how it should be (you and that conservative guy getting along). And why not? Hell, Eddie and Kid Rock are friends. 

pjhawks

i respect republicans and conservative views BUT i lose respect for anything that supports the current POTUS.  I have a very hard time not losing respect for anyone who gives even an ounce support to such a terrible human being and leader.  Sorry your conservative views are not more important to the world in general.  

that being said i tolerate Ed's rants even if i agree with them.  I'd prefer he not do it during a show but it's his platform not mine.