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

theebradness · April 2016

Thirty Bills Unpaid said:

theebradness said:
Been a fan since 1992, a member since 2013. A lot of you remind me of Grateful Dead fans, but not the good kind. The annoying kind that thinks that band exists SOLELY for the fan club/hardcore devotees that can afford to travel for a week following a band. I'm a bit jealous, that would be fun, but I have responsibilities and shit, can't afford that.

They are making a statement against hypocrisy, discrimination and the worst in humanity. Applaud them and hope that they would stand with you if you happen to be part of a "minority" or some other persecuted group.

See you at the first Wrigley show!!
And when you land in Chicago from, say Seattle, two days prior to the shows... and they cancel the shows for the discriminatory practices of the Chicago PD... sing the same tune... right?

You just might so your comment can stand as it is. I'm just saying it's really easy to applaud PJ when you're not sitting in a Best Western in Raleigh twiddling your thumbs.

I would also be super pissed, but I'd try and make the best out of it. Hang out in Chicago with my wife, have lots of drinks. I get being mad and venting but some of the attitudes on this forum smack of entitlement, like the band only exists for them.

HughFreakingDillon · April 2016

theebradness said:

Thirty Bills Unpaid said:

theebradness said:
Been a fan since 1992, a member since 2013. A lot of you remind me of Grateful Dead fans, but not the good kind. The annoying kind that thinks that band exists SOLELY for the fan club/hardcore devotees that can afford to travel for a week following a band. I'm a bit jealous, that would be fun, but I have responsibilities and shit, can't afford that.

They are making a statement against hypocrisy, discrimination and the worst in humanity. Applaud them and hope that they would stand with you if you happen to be part of a "minority" or some other persecuted group.

See you at the first Wrigley show!!
And when you land in Chicago from, say Seattle, two days prior to the shows... and they cancel the shows for the discriminatory practices of the Chicago PD... sing the same tune... right?

You just might so your comment can stand as it is. I'm just saying it's really easy to applaud PJ when you're not sitting in a Best Western in Raleigh twiddling your thumbs.
I would also be super pissed, but I'd try and make the best out of it. Hang out in Chicago with my wife, have lots of drinks. I get being mad and venting but some of the attitudes on this forum smack of entitlement, like the band only exists for them.

to me it's understandable. people save sometimes year round for this, and then all that money and sacrifice is worthless. people can be sensitive to the issues but also be upset. it's not mutually exclusive.

rssesq · April 2016

wwcd?
caitlyn

JF657419 · April 2016

Mike D88 said:
I gotta say I'm entertained by all these hastily reasoned posts that basically boil down to "I hope they cancel your show too." That'll learn 'em guys.

Did you enjoy the show at Amalie? I did. It was great, I was side stage. They played Little Wing, my fav Hendrix song and a relative tour rarity. I was holding my son about 30 feet away from Mike as he played the solo behind his head.

Sure is easy to be judgmental as long as it isn't your show affected. I got my show in and still think it is messed up how it went down for fans in Raleigh.

Glentazman · April 2016

I am very curious if the full order of show posters and city specific shirts/stickers was made for Raleigh. This information, if ever made available, will be how I judge the band on their timing of the announcement. I have no issue with them cancelling out of principal.

Was it a spontaneous decision that they finally agreed to yesterday? OR did they not even have the city specific merch created knowing they were going to do this a week or two ago? Meaning fans continued to make plans and commit their money to an event that the band knew they were going to cancel. I do not know but I really hope the fans were not used as pawns.

I hope peace returns to the fan club.

JimmyV · April 2016

Are they seriously staying at the Four Seasons in Raleigh right now? Because how do you justify cancelling this show as part of a boycott and then pump hotel and restaurant dollars into the local economy? That isn't a boycott. That's taking a midtour vacation.

JF657419 · April 2016

JimmyV said:
Are they seriously staying at the Four Seasons in Raleigh right now? Because how do you justify cancelling this show as part of a boycott and then pump hotel and restaurant dollars into the local economy? That isn't a boycott. That's taking a midtour vacation.

Well they already had the hotel booked, see, and they would have lost out on all that money spent for ... oh.

PJ_Soul · April 2016

DarbyCrash said:
In solidarity with Pearl Jam in their decision to cancel the NC show to show support for LGBT rights, I'm offering up one free Wrigley Field night 2 ticket (Monday Aug 22nd) to someone who lost out on the Raleigh date. It's not a Ten Club seat but it's decent: Terrace 213 or something like that. I'll have to look. I got this ticket as insurance. :-) I won't give this to anyone who bashed the band or LGBT rights FYI.

PM me with proof that you had NC tix and the reason why you should get the free ticket. I'll pick tomorrow.

Much love to all!

EDIT: I can mail the hard copy ticket to the winner ASAP via UPS or some kind of traceable carrier. Also, please please please remember these aren't ten club seats. They are decent seats but they aren't TC. I just don't want anyone to miss that part and then be disappointed.

You are cool.

ComeToTX · April 2016

JimmyV said:
Are they seriously staying at the Four Seasons in Raleigh right now? Because how do you justify cancelling this show as part of a boycott and then pump hotel and restaurant dollars into the local economy? That isn't a boycott. That's taking a midtour vacation.

Where did you see that?

KV4053 · April 2016

This has actual economic impact to NC.
This is a significant impact and it will force businesses to fight the NC government.
The government will eventually back down.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-W2R-_7l2k

KV4053 · April 2016

I hope all this results in private bathrooms, showers, and locker rooms for everyone. I hate walking into a public restroom and smelling someone else's poop or hearing a dude fart at the urinal next to me

PJ_Soul · April 2016

HughFreakingDillon said:

theebradness said:

Thirty Bills Unpaid said:

theebradness said:
Been a fan since 1992, a member since 2013. A lot of you remind me of Grateful Dead fans, but not the good kind. The annoying kind that thinks that band exists SOLELY for the fan club/hardcore devotees that can afford to travel for a week following a band. I'm a bit jealous, that would be fun, but I have responsibilities and shit, can't afford that.

They are making a statement against hypocrisy, discrimination and the worst in humanity. Applaud them and hope that they would stand with you if you happen to be part of a "minority" or some other persecuted group.

See you at the first Wrigley show!!
And when you land in Chicago from, say Seattle, two days prior to the shows... and they cancel the shows for the discriminatory practices of the Chicago PD... sing the same tune... right?

You just might so your comment can stand as it is. I'm just saying it's really easy to applaud PJ when you're not sitting in a Best Western in Raleigh twiddling your thumbs.
I would also be super pissed, but I'd try and make the best out of it. Hang out in Chicago with my wife, have lots of drinks. I get being mad and venting but some of the attitudes on this forum smack of entitlement, like the band only exists for them.
to me it's understandable. people save sometimes year round for this, and then all that money and sacrifice is worthless. people can be sensitive to the issues but also be upset. it's not mutually exclusive.

Yeah, but be upset as though their homes just got robbed? A reasonable, adult reaction to a concert being cancelled is, "oh man, bummer. Big huge bummer. Ah well, that's life." The reaction some fans are apparently having to this cancellation meant as a political protest by the band is so ridiculously over the top that it's embarrassing. And tbh, if a huge fan doesn't at least understand where the band is coming from, even if they for some reason feel like this protest is ineffective (despite evidence to the contrary), then I would argue that they don't really understand the band all that well. Also, it's a bit frustrating to see that so many people think that the band should base any of their decisions on the fact that a relatively small minority of fans decide to travel (without cancellation insurance) to see concerts. As though that is supposed to factor into their own plans and actions somehow. I don't understand that expectation.

jjflash · April 2016

HB2 is a shame for the victims of discrimination and those who oppose it. The cancellation of the show is a shame for the fans who had a lot of time and resources dedicated to attending these shows. My sincere condolences to those who'd been planning on attending the 4/20 show. My respect to PJ for doing what they believe is right, regardless of the difficulty of the decision. In the end, the band must live w/ their decisions and they obviously felt they could make a bigger difference and reach a larger audience by canceling the shows. The poor timing of it is a very valid point and one that we may not entirely understand. The music is their voice and sometimes silence speaks loudest of all.

My wife and I has something similar happen a few years ago when Ed had issues w/ his arm. We had flights, hotel, babysitters, time-off lined up to see the Austin and San Antonio shows. We went ahead and made the trip as planned and, even though we didn't get to see/hear Ed, wound up having an incredible trip. Hopefully many of those traveling into Raleigh get to enjoy a fantastic city and maybe get to meet new and old PJ friends along the way.

PJ_Soul · April 2016

theebradness said:

JP Losman said:

theebradness said:
Been a fan since 1992, a member since 2013. A lot of you remind me of Grateful Dead fans, but not the good kind. The annoying kind that thinks that band exists SOLELY for the fan club/hardcore devotees that can afford to travel for a week following a band. I'm a bit jealous, that would be fun, but I have responsibilities and shit, can't afford that.

They are making a statement against hypocrisy, discrimination and the worst in humanity. Applaud them and hope that they would stand with you if you happen to be part of a "minority" or some other persecuted group.

See you at the first Wrigley show!!

They are making a statement that they are huge hypocrites by not taking a stand against all the explicit racial discrimination in America via the racist voter ID laws. They are making a huge statement by being hypocrites by playing Chile, which has some of the worst human rights violations and laws including no abortions even in the situation of rape.
That is true. Every country has problems, but when the home turf is being stupid and discriminatory, art can make a difference. I agree that they probably wouldn't have cancelled if Bruce hadn't, but it is what it is.

Of course they wouldn't have, because Bruce started a wave of it. The band obviously saw the impact the cancellations were having, realized it could have the biggest impact, and made their decision based on that. Kind of odd that some have suggested that them following Springsteen's steps in this somehow diminishes that act. I don't think it does at all. PJ is attempting to escalate the protest, likely with the hope that many others will follow suit as well. Makes sense.
As for other places they've played with probs... so? They are allowed to pick their battles. Incan't stand this all or nothing theory i keep reading, as though if one chooses to protest one thing at one point in time they must choose to protest all things at all times, and otherwise they are hypocrites. This is such flawed and illogical thinking IMO.

ZeldaZonk · April 2016

bootlegger10 said:
Hey Pearl Jam and Bruce, thanks for using your fans to make a political statement. It would have been nice if you asked us first though!

Use your time and money to influence change, not your fans' money.

The arguments that PJ made a mistake are almost endless.

Well said. I am one of the many who got burned by the cancellation.

DP13 · April 2016

Publicity Jam

theebradness · April 2016

PJ_Soul said:

HughFreakingDillon said:

theebradness said:

Thirty Bills Unpaid said:

theebradness said:
Been a fan since 1992, a member since 2013. A lot of you remind me of Grateful Dead fans, but not the good kind. The annoying kind that thinks that band exists SOLELY for the fan club/hardcore devotees that can afford to travel for a week following a band. I'm a bit jealous, that would be fun, but I have responsibilities and shit, can't afford that.

They are making a statement against hypocrisy, discrimination and the worst in humanity. Applaud them and hope that they would stand with you if you happen to be part of a "minority" or some other persecuted group.

See you at the first Wrigley show!!
And when you land in Chicago from, say Seattle, two days prior to the shows... and they cancel the shows for the discriminatory practices of the Chicago PD... sing the same tune... right?

You just might so your comment can stand as it is. I'm just saying it's really easy to applaud PJ when you're not sitting in a Best Western in Raleigh twiddling your thumbs.
I would also be super pissed, but I'd try and make the best out of it. Hang out in Chicago with my wife, have lots of drinks. I get being mad and venting but some of the attitudes on this forum smack of entitlement, like the band only exists for them.
to me it's understandable. people save sometimes year round for this, and then all that money and sacrifice is worthless. people can be sensitive to the issues but also be upset. it's not mutually exclusive.
Yeah, but be upset as though their homes just got robbed? A reasonable, adult reaction to a concert being cancelled is, "oh man, bummer. Big huge bummer. Ah well, that's life." The reaction some fans are apparently having to this cancellation meant as a political protest by the band is so ridiculously over the top that it's embarrassing. And tbh, if a huge fan doesn't at least understand where the band is coming from, even if they for some reason feel like this protest is ineffective (despite evidence to the contrary), then I would argue that they don't really understand the band all that well. Also, it's a bit frustrating to see that so many people think that the band should base any of their decisions on the fact that a relatively small minority of fans decide to travel (without cancellation insurance) to see concerts. As though that is supposed to factor into their own plans and actions somehow. I don't understand that expectation.

YES!

pdalowsky · April 2016

PJ_Soul said:

HughFreakingDillon said:

theebradness said:

Thirty Bills Unpaid said:

theebradness said:
Been a fan since 1992, a member since 2013. A lot of you remind me of Grateful Dead fans, but not the good kind. The annoying kind that thinks that band exists SOLELY for the fan club/hardcore devotees that can afford to travel for a week following a band. I'm a bit jealous, that would be fun, but I have responsibilities and shit, can't afford that.

They are making a statement against hypocrisy, discrimination and the worst in humanity. Applaud them and hope that they would stand with you if you happen to be part of a "minority" or some other persecuted group.

See you at the first Wrigley show!!
And when you land in Chicago from, say Seattle, two days prior to the shows... and they cancel the shows for the discriminatory practices of the Chicago PD... sing the same tune... right?

You just might so your comment can stand as it is. I'm just saying it's really easy to applaud PJ when you're not sitting in a Best Western in Raleigh twiddling your thumbs.
I would also be super pissed, but I'd try and make the best out of it. Hang out in Chicago with my wife, have lots of drinks. I get being mad and venting but some of the attitudes on this forum smack of entitlement, like the band only exists for them.
to me it's understandable. people save sometimes year round for this, and then all that money and sacrifice is worthless. people can be sensitive to the issues but also be upset. it's not mutually exclusive.
Yeah, but be upset as though their homes just got robbed? A reasonable, adult reaction to a concert being cancelled is, "oh man, bummer. Big huge bummer. Ah well, that's life." The reaction some fans are apparently having to this cancellation meant as a political protest by the band is so ridiculously over the top that it's embarrassing. And tbh, if a huge fan doesn't at least understand where the band is coming from, even if they for some reason feel like this protest is ineffective (despite evidence to the contrary), then I would argue that they don't really understand the band all that well. Also, it's a bit frustrating to see that so many people think that the band should base any of their decisions on the fact that a relatively small minority of fans decide to travel (without cancellation insurance) to see concerts. As though that is supposed to factor into their own plans and actions somehow. I don't understand that expectation.

Im not sure all the people upset by the decision claim to understand the band. Some people purely enjoy the music, and you know? that is absolutely ok too.

Its difficult as some folk have been anticipating the show for a long time and don't have the means to travel to see them, of course they will be upset. Is it proportional to the cause? That is purely subjective to each and every one of us.

But its easy for us not effected to pass comment on those whom are.

Fact is we'll never know the full story, as to why it was a late cancellation (there is bound to be a reason behind that given Bruce did it on 48 hours notice also), but the band made the call that it was the right thing to do, we have to respect that and ultimately support them in doing it, but its easy to understand that some folk are upset by it.

Spiritual_Chaos · April 2016

KV4053 said:
This has actual economic impact to NC.
This is a significant impact and it will force businesses to fight the NC government.
The government will eventually back down.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-W2R-_7l2k

Lets hope.

ZeldaZonk · April 2016

dimitrispearljam said:
In my mind there are 3 parts about the whole

1.should pj do something about that law and fight for something isnt right??
For sure they should and proud to be a fan of a band raise their voice for the greatest good
For pj are in the right side of this.

2.what they should do??cancel the show makes alot more noise i guess than just say sonething on stage..i dont know if was the right call to make..its their call..i respect it but personally i would prefer they show up and raise hell against the law .make fun of the giverment there..make something and all media next day would talk about it

3.timing
For sure is wrong 2 days before date..alot of fans will lose alot of money..no need to mention except money so many people will be sad cos they waiting for the show for months
What is weird is they did exactly what bruce..2 days before date..maybe has to do with legal matters of their contracts of the show..i dont know..

Im thinking for exable except the statement of the cancelation someone from the band lets say at 10c radio give an interview and explain their whole thinking about it and say things and explain to the fans.i think would be cool from their part and fans will apreciate it

I hope they do something cool for everyone has tix and not only the refound..maybe sent them something alot of people are angry and sad..i travel to see the band. Always..i was there at Venice -Italy 07 when they cancel the show cos of the stage destroyed..wasnt their call or fault .was safety but i understand the feeling be at venue and a few hours before show they tell u the show is cancel
Im sorry for fellow fans was going to that show..i can understand being upset.
i hope somehow u get something special in return

Thanks, Dimi. It's really heartbreaking and frustrating. Traveled cross country for two shows, one of which was Raleigh.

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

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