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

whitepants · April 2016

For those bickering about "why" it took Pearl Jam "so long" to decide, this is NOT an any decision, and as Ed was quoted, they thought about continuing on with the show and donating all proceeds. But in the end, it was decided to just make the boldest statement possible and that was canceling the show and giving a firm stance of support for the LGBT community in that backwards state of NC. I'm lucky that I never had interest in the Raleigh show, I'm limited to Philly 2, but I do empathize with the good fans who support PJs decision, but are also missing out on possibly the only show they could have attended. But for those ridiculing Pearl Jam as well as slamming the LGBT community and supporting that evil law in NC... go fuck yourselves!

Sprunkn7 · April 2016

If they cancelled sooner fans would not be as upset. Thats a fact. Was it something in the contract to the venue or just a way to make a bigger headline? Either way having a statement about that part would appease some of the very angry people here.

MayDay10 · April 2016

I would think that if they cancelled when Bruce did, it would just share a headline. The Bruce thing dies down... then they come in with the hammer again.

63schoefflin · April 2016

And then in two weeks nobody remembers this outside of mostly 10c people anyway, lol. This isn't going to change a single thing.

karmadefect · April 2016

63schoefflin said:
And then in two weeks nobody remembers this outside of mostly 10c people anyway, lol. This isn't going to change a single thing.

Well if that's an argument then you could have saved yourself the trouble of typing that reply. That won't be remembered or change anything either. It's a rather nihilistic aproach.

Ledbetterman10 · April 2016

karmadefect said:

63schoefflin said:
And then in two weeks nobody remembers this outside of mostly 10c people anyway, lol. This isn't going to change a single thing.
Well if that's an argument then you could have saved yourself the trouble of typing that reply. That won't be remembered or change anything either. It's a rather nihilistic aproach.

His reply doesn't stand to piss off 20,000 people

nukeboot · April 2016

The band just got a mention of all of this on CNN.
So, there's that.

Spiritual_Chaos · April 2016

MayDay10 said:
I would think that if they cancelled when Bruce did, it would just share a headline. The Bruce thing dies down... then they come in with the hammer again.

Feels very cynical to play with your fans to do that.

Using your fans as fuel to get headlines doesn't sit well with me.

And morally, if they don't want to play that state no more that is great. But when telling people "buy tickets to our show" they did not know of this law and therefore they do not approve it by standing up to their commitment and playing.

But boycotting at the last minute for headlines or to have a bigger effect, I don't see the reasoning other than them feeling shitty towards Bruce or something if they did play.

Ledbetterman10 · April 2016

nukeboot said:
The band just got a mention of all of this on CNN.
So, there's that.

Well there ya go. It's all worth it.

MayDay10 · April 2016

This law was already on the national radar. Imo, with or without pj and bruce, the law is going away, as is the line of thinking that lead to these laws. The score is like 40-7 in the 4th quarter.

Spiritual_Chaos · April 2016

Ledbetterman10 said:

nukeboot said:
The band just got a mention of all of this on CNN.
So, there's that.
Well there ya go. It's all worth it.

athenssmile · April 2016

joelpignataro said:

athenssmile said:
That is great that Pearl Jam will refund my tickets, but I have lost $125 for my hotel room that I can't get refunded because I went through priceline.

I GOT ALL MONEY BACK FROM PRICELINE< < < U HAVE TO CALL HOTEL FIRST AND THEY HAVE TO AGREE TO GIVE MONEY BACK< MINE DID AT THE WYNDHAM <<EVEN THOUGH I USED PRICELINE WITH NO REFUND ATTACHED< iTS WORTH A COUPLE PHONE CALLS </p>

Thank you! I made the phone calls and got my hotel refunded. That does lessen the sting of this.

farfromglorified · April 2016

Thought a good night's sleep might lessen the disappointment but, sadly, no. Still really bummed I'm going to miss this show and still feeling for so many here who had their plans turned upside down.

I don't appreciate being used as a puppet for someone else's political aims, even when I agree with those aims. I love you Pearl Jam and I love that you're willing to stand up against injustice. I just hope you hear some of the feedback here and think twice before using your fans as pawns again.

Ledbetterman10 · April 2016

Spiritual_Chaos said:

Ledbetterman10 said:

nukeboot said:
The band just got a mention of all of this on CNN.
So, there's that.
Well there ya go. It's all worth it.

Yeah I was being sarcastic

nukeboot · April 2016

Ledbetterman10 said:

Spiritual_Chaos said:

Ledbetterman10 said:

Yeah I was being sarcastic
Me too.

JP Losman · April 2016

Where are people who defend the action response to playing states and country's with horrible laws? They are forever hypocrites. Go ahead and love their music but see their "activism" for what it really is. They are out of touch. and thank you so much for helping bush defeat gore. Those were greaf years that you helped create by your support of Nader. Bravo.

ferrickhead28 · April 2016

#1 on my bucket list for the past 22 years was to stand and dance my a$$ off in the pit at a Pearl Jam concert...I finally got my wish for the 4/20 show in Raleigh. I was so excited that I won the lottery, I actually bawled at work! It was going to be my daughter's first Pearl Jam concert, she's heading off to the other side of the state in the fall for college so this was going to be a big night for both of us.

Unfortunately, this is the only concert I bought tickets for. But, they cancelled and I understand why. I have lived in NC all my life and this whole HB2 thing sucks royally. I'm also gay. So now I have to sit at work all day today and have this huge, heavy feeling of disappointment because of something I waited 22 years for but be proud of my favorite band for standing up for my community. It's not the best feeling in the world, but my heart weighs heavy for the financial burden my "family" on here is facing. So, I dont know what to say. NC never had a chance to vote for this stupid law, they passed it unanimously but only because the democrats walked out in protest and never voted (they were outnumbered, their votes never would have mattered). If you are so mad, sign the petition and call the Governor's phone number. It's a public listing.

pdalowsky · April 2016

I feel for the folk who are pissed about this, Id be gutted if it was my show in the firing line and even more so if this was the first chance in years to see the band. But they will put this right in due course, I do believe that.

Too many people however just suggest that people who have lost their show should just go to another, seem to lack the understanding that to a lot of folk that simply isn't possible. Its such a presumptuous suggestion to make. Many folk have commitments both in and out of work, packed schedules (probably worked around this show) and a good deal probably simply cannot afford to hitch to another state to see a rock concert. Some seem to take their good fortune for granted and simply apply it to everyone, when in fact it isn't that simple.

Its very easy to post about this when personally we are unaffected, but those looking at it subjectively are bound to be upset. Of course making a stand is what this band has always done, and of course it makes sense in the bigger picture, but it doesn't ease that dejection that many are feeling today.......dejection following months and months of excitement.

In many ways the band couldn't win, but they made what I think must have been a very difficult decision for the greater good....unfortunately a group of people lose out as a result. But Im sure they'll make this right as soon as they can, they wouldn't have taken the decision lightly.

The timing is the only head scratcher and the real lack of notice, but as has been said many times, there must have been a reason for that.

jeffwalsh · April 2016

LukinAtU said:
So, November 2013 I traveled to see the band play Portland, Oregon. Oregon, the state in which January of that year a baker refused to bake a wedding cake for a gay couple. Why was there no cancellation of the show? I'm not saying this is apples to apples but...it's also a situation that involves discrimination

In your completely different example, the government was on the right side of the issue, by supporting existing non-discrimination laws for all local businesses in that area. The bakers claimed their rights were being violated because they object to marriage equality. The only connection between the two is that the same group helping the bakers in this case IS the same group putting bathroom bills and religious freedom bills up in states everywhere, but unlike Pearl Jam's decision, that will eventually put them on the wrong side of equality and history.

SNL just had a go at this on Saturday:

https://youtu.be/tDDAa1If-u4

ComeToTX · April 2016

Slept on it and still woke up pissed. I'll just never think it was the right thing to do 48 hours out.

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

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