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

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Comments

  • scottjf8
    scottjf8 Posts: 36
    jeffwalsh said:

    ComeToTX said:

    I doubt the decision was unanimous.

    Five against one?
    4-2. Boom always sides with Ed :)
  • Dr. Delight
    Dr. Delight Posts: 11,210
    And so you see, I have come to doubt
    All that I once held as true
    I stand alone without beliefs
    The only truth I know is you.
  • scornlander
    scornlander Colorado Posts: 98
    edited April 2016
    I do wonder if the multi-millionaire band members even know about non-refundable hotel rooms, airline change fees etc. Their world is very different than ours. They haven't booked their own flights or hotel rooms in decades (if ever). For all we know they might have thought two days notice was plenty of advance warning to change/cancel travel plans.
    Post edited by scornlander on
  • pdalowsky
    pdalowsky Doncaster,UK Posts: 15,214
    This has become one circular argument

    im with the poster above, the next show should take the roof off ......cant wait for this show to get back on the road....
  • MayDay10
    MayDay10 Posts: 11,853
    I'm moving on now. Vented plenty.

    I'm fortunate to have tickets to 3 more shows so I am really looking forward to those. Going to try to tune in tonight.
  • Merkin Baller
    Merkin Baller Posts: 12,781
    PJam82 said:

    Posted this in another thread, my thoughts on the discussion:

    I love the band and generally stand with them in their political beliefs as a Californian....still, people have the right to vent about this. It's astounding to me that some of you will turn this into a witch hunt for the people that feel they got ripped off either directly, or indirectly. They have a tremendous reason to be upset.

    Imagine the outrage if this occurred in Boston for the Fenway shows. People would be absolutely livid. It's not even a thought, but how much would someone traveling to see those shows be out? But, since it's NC, everyone is just kinda "Oh well....that's PJ.....get over it....can't wait for the East Coast shows "

    People should be upset, this sets an ugly precedent.

    Nail on the head.
  • BCBA
    BCBA Utah with the mailman Posts: 220
    Agreed with that 100%.

    Unreal that people who post on a rock band's message board 10s of thousands of times say its 'too bad' and 'its only a rock concert'... while saying they are disappointed with people here and it is 'sad'.

    People are crushed by this. This show (and all shows) are cherished by people and they anticipate and plan the show for months and months. They get an emotional high and a level of excitement when they get their tickets whether through the lotto or general sale.

    Then the Bruce thing. People got worried, but I think the general fear was lifted because we didn't think that Pearl Jam would do their fans like that (please spare me the theory that the band has 'no idea' that people travel to their shows). Then this news was blind-siding two days before the show. It is unique that it was completely avoidable and the effect is very debatable. Not an illness, travel malfunction, venue problem.

    I wasn't going, but completely feel for those who cant go. Furthermore. Those who are disappointed and/or disagree with the decision can also be in favor of human rights. Its very unfair to paint everyone into a corner like that,
  • volmurphy
    volmurphy Posts: 6
    edited April 2016
    Thanks PJ, you did the right thing. Although we had tickets for Raleigh we were rewarded otherwise. We were able to spend the day with Jonah, an EB victim, who is the son of one of my wifes co-workers. His spirit is incredible, his wit unmatched and his hope in finding a cure resonates to all he meets. Oh and he just turned 7. Brave is beyond words. As much as he smiles and laughs, it is impossible to not do tge same around him. Smile would be appropriate for Jonah in Columbia!

    Thanks,
    Tim
  • JP Losman
    JP Losman Raleigh Posts: 149
    edited April 2016
    They are forever hypocrites. You can accept that as being a big deal or not. To me, its not much different than how politicians lie and are hypocrites. Still great music...put on great shows but their activism and political message is phony as hell.
  • joseph33
    joseph33 Washington DC Posts: 1,341
    I can't help but wonder what a 26 yr. old Eddie would have thought of a 51 yr. old eddie cancelling a show and disappointing his fans. Listen to what he says to the people watching the show from the owners box at Soldier Field. 1995. He was very anti elite then. He's become what he used to hate.
  • jeffwalsh
    jeffwalsh Posts: 169
    joseph33 said:

    He was very anti elite then. He's become what he used to hate.

    Yes, young Eddie would just be all, "I don't care about oppression and discrimination. Let's rock!"

    http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2016/04/20/after-north-carolina-s-law-trans-suicide-hotline-calls-double.html
  • Spiritual_Chaos
    Spiritual_Chaos Posts: 31,471
    "Mostly I think that people react sensitively because they know you’ve got a point"
  • LOL...
    LOL...I cannot believe there is an actual political fight in my state over which bathrooms someone should use and that I missed a Pearl Jam show because of it. I realize there are other, bigger, more important issues at play here. But man, are we not all adults here? Seems like society had already solved its bathroom problems...guess I was wrong. American politics hits a new modern low....
  • BF25394
    BF25394 Posts: 4,940
    To be clear, I have not stated a position either in support of or against the band's decision. I see the merits of both sides of the argument. I understand what the band is trying to do and respect their decision, which I presume was arrived at after much internal debate and consideration. I also sympathize with people who made plans to travel to the show from out of town and who lost hotel-room deposits or will have to pay airline change fees, etc., or fans who are merely disappointed that they won't get to see a show they had looked forward to.

    What I don't understand are people who are attacking the band's motives for cancelling the show. Absent some new information that justifies skepticism, I don't see any basis for doubting that the band made this decision for the "right reasons" (i.e., out of a sincere belief that it would help rectify something that they believe is a grievous wrong). I especially don't understand why there would be cynicism about the decision among members of the band's fan club. If you have so little respect for the band's integrity, why would you join their fan club? You can enjoy their music for free without paying to be in their fan club.

    Finally, to the poster who said he likes the band for its music, not its politics: they are inseparable. Music is art; art is political. This band's music has reflected its political views since its inception. Do you think "W.M.A." stands for "We Make Apolitical [Songs]"? Do you think "Rats" is actually about rodents? Perhaps most tellingly for the current debate, do you think "Indifference" is actually an endorsement of indifference?
    I gather speed from you fucking with me.
  • JP Losman
    JP Losman Raleigh Posts: 149
    BF25394 said:

    To be clear, I have not stated a position either in support of or against the band's decision. I see the merits of both sides of the argument. I understand what the band is trying to do and respect their decision, which I presume was arrived at after much internal debate and consideration. I also sympathize with people who made plans to travel to the show from out of town and who lost hotel-room deposits or will have to pay airline change fees, etc., or fans who are merely disappointed that they won't get to see a show they had looked forward to.

    What I don't understand are people who are attacking the band's motives for cancelling the show. Absent some new information that justifies skepticism, I don't see any basis for doubting that the band made this decision for the "right reasons" (i.e., out of a sincere belief that it would help rectify something that they believe is a grievous wrong). I especially don't understand why there would be cynicism about the decision among members of the band's fan club. If you have so little respect for the band's integrity, why would you join their fan club? You can enjoy their music for free without paying to be in their fan club.

    Finally, to the poster who said he likes the band for its music, not its politics: they are inseparable. Music is art; art is political. This band's music has reflected its political views since its inception. Do you think "W.M.A." stands for "We Make Apolitical [Songs]"? Do you think "Rats" is actually about rodents? Perhaps most tellingly for the current debate, do you think "Indifference" is actually an endorsement of indifference?

    Because they have never done it before in places with bad laws and it seems unlikely they will cancel other shows on this tour with bad laws. It doesn't seem that they are all in with making change here in NC as there were plenty of other options for fighting the law without cancelling. They chose the tactic that gave them the best PR. They declined the advice and plees of the LGBTQ community themself here. I am very involved in the fight for social injustice and more focused on voter suppression. The South Carolina Voter ID laws is a bad civil rights issue. Almost everyone agrees that PJ would not cancel a show in NYC, Boston or Chicago - all of which have their own issues. You can find something worthy to protest in all of america and the world. This was grandstanding. I used to respect their integrity. I looked past the fact Eddie was such a vocal supporter of Nader, which was misguided in a presidential election, which directly led to Bush being elected, which directly led to SC justices being appointed and hurting the progressive fight (letalone all the other things disagreeable about the Bush presidency). Now I know its all a show.
  • jeffbr
    jeffbr Seattle Posts: 7,177
    BF25394 said:

    To be clear, I have not stated a position either in support of or against the band's decision. I see the merits of both sides of the argument. I understand what the band is trying to do and respect their decision, which I presume was arrived at after much internal debate and consideration. I also sympathize with people who made plans to travel to the show from out of town and who lost hotel-room deposits or will have to pay airline change fees, etc., or fans who are merely disappointed that they won't get to see a show they had looked forward to.

    What I don't understand are people who are attacking the band's motives for cancelling the show. Absent some new information that justifies skepticism, I don't see any basis for doubting that the band made this decision for the "right reasons" (i.e., out of a sincere belief that it would help rectify something that they believe is a grievous wrong). I especially don't understand why there would be cynicism about the decision among members of the band's fan club. If you have so little respect for the band's integrity, why would you join their fan club? You can enjoy their music for free without paying to be in their fan club.

    Finally, to the poster who said he likes the band for its music, not its politics: they are inseparable. Music is art; art is political. This band's music has reflected its political views since its inception. Do you think "W.M.A." stands for "We Make Apolitical [Songs]"? Do you think "Rats" is actually about rodents? Perhaps most tellingly for the current debate, do you think "Indifference" is actually an endorsement of indifference?

    Well, we can't get too much deeper here, because of forum rules prohibiting talking negatively about band members. But it is certainly possible to love and appreciate the band and their music and still be critical of band members.

    As far as motives go both for the boycott itself and the reason for their crushing last minute decision, the band will have to provide that info if they want the speculation to end. The law will not stand, and it won't be because of boycotts. It will be because of the rule of law. The 4th Circuit Court ruled on a VA transgender restroom case, that will ultimately force NC to capitulate. So while I have no real issue with the boycott, it won't be the boycott that causes change, and it will be the poorly timed decision that will remain as a bad taste in fans' mouths. I know I'll never again travel to see PJ if it involves planes and hotels. I'll drive to Vancouver or Portland or the Gorge, but beyond that, I no longer trust the band to honor obligations, and don't believe they have fans' interests at heart. But at least Ed made Bruce happy.
    "I'll use the magic word - let's just shut the fuck up, please." EV, 04/13/08
  • josevolution
    josevolution Posts: 31,604
    jeffbr said:

    BF25394 said:

    To be clear, I have not stated a position either in support of or against the band's decision. I see the merits of both sides of the argument. I understand what the band is trying to do and respect their decision, which I presume was arrived at after much internal debate and consideration. I also sympathize with people who made plans to travel to the show from out of town and who lost hotel-room deposits or will have to pay airline change fees, etc., or fans who are merely disappointed that they won't get to see a show they had looked forward to.

    What I don't understand are people who are attacking the band's motives for cancelling the show. Absent some new information that justifies skepticism, I don't see any basis for doubting that the band made this decision for the "right reasons" (i.e., out of a sincere belief that it would help rectify something that they believe is a grievous wrong). I especially don't understand why there would be cynicism about the decision among members of the band's fan club. If you have so little respect for the band's integrity, why would you join their fan club? You can enjoy their music for free without paying to be in their fan club.

    Finally, to the poster who said he likes the band for its music, not its politics: they are inseparable. Music is art; art is political. This band's music has reflected its political views since its inception. Do you think "W.M.A." stands for "We Make Apolitical [Songs]"? Do you think "Rats" is actually about rodents? Perhaps most tellingly for the current debate, do you think "Indifference" is actually an endorsement of indifference?

    Well, we can't get too much deeper here, because of forum rules prohibiting talking negatively about band members. But it is certainly possible to love and appreciate the band and their music and still be critical of band members.

    As far as motives go both for the boycott itself and the reason for their crushing last minute decision, the band will have to provide that info if they want the speculation to end. The law will not stand, and it won't be because of boycotts. It will be because of the rule of law. The 4th Circuit Court ruled on a VA transgender restroom case, that will ultimately force NC to capitulate. So while I have no real issue with the boycott, it won't be the boycott that causes change, and it will be the poorly timed decision that will remain as a bad taste in fans' mouths. I know I'll never again travel to see PJ if it involves planes and hotels. I'll drive to Vancouver or Portland or the Gorge, but beyond that, I no longer trust the band to honor obligations, and don't believe they have fans' interests at heart. But at least Ed made Bruce happy.
    Oh boy talk about melodramatic , as if they cancel shows with regularity lol
    jesus greets me looks just like me ....
  • jeffbr
    jeffbr Seattle Posts: 7,177

    jeffbr said:

    BF25394 said:

    To be clear, I have not stated a position either in support of or against the band's decision. I see the merits of both sides of the argument. I understand what the band is trying to do and respect their decision, which I presume was arrived at after much internal debate and consideration. I also sympathize with people who made plans to travel to the show from out of town and who lost hotel-room deposits or will have to pay airline change fees, etc., or fans who are merely disappointed that they won't get to see a show they had looked forward to.

    What I don't understand are people who are attacking the band's motives for cancelling the show. Absent some new information that justifies skepticism, I don't see any basis for doubting that the band made this decision for the "right reasons" (i.e., out of a sincere belief that it would help rectify something that they believe is a grievous wrong). I especially don't understand why there would be cynicism about the decision among members of the band's fan club. If you have so little respect for the band's integrity, why would you join their fan club? You can enjoy their music for free without paying to be in their fan club.

    Finally, to the poster who said he likes the band for its music, not its politics: they are inseparable. Music is art; art is political. This band's music has reflected its political views since its inception. Do you think "W.M.A." stands for "We Make Apolitical [Songs]"? Do you think "Rats" is actually about rodents? Perhaps most tellingly for the current debate, do you think "Indifference" is actually an endorsement of indifference?

    Well, we can't get too much deeper here, because of forum rules prohibiting talking negatively about band members. But it is certainly possible to love and appreciate the band and their music and still be critical of band members.

    As far as motives go both for the boycott itself and the reason for their crushing last minute decision, the band will have to provide that info if they want the speculation to end. The law will not stand, and it won't be because of boycotts. It will be because of the rule of law. The 4th Circuit Court ruled on a VA transgender restroom case, that will ultimately force NC to capitulate. So while I have no real issue with the boycott, it won't be the boycott that causes change, and it will be the poorly timed decision that will remain as a bad taste in fans' mouths. I know I'll never again travel to see PJ if it involves planes and hotels. I'll drive to Vancouver or Portland or the Gorge, but beyond that, I no longer trust the band to honor obligations, and don't believe they have fans' interests at heart. But at least Ed made Bruce happy.
    Oh boy talk about melodramatic , as if they cancel shows with regularity lol
    Didn't say they did. But we now have evidence that they'll cancel on a whim, so you can choose to do with that evidence what you will. I won't travel to see them going forward. You should decide for yourself what works for you.
    "I'll use the magic word - let's just shut the fuck up, please." EV, 04/13/08
  • scornlander
    scornlander Colorado Posts: 98
    BF25394 said:

    Finally, to the poster who said he likes the band for its music, not its politics: they are inseparable.

    I disagree with this. I love their music but disagree with a lot of their political views.

  • shecky
    shecky San Francisco Posts: 2,713

    BF25394 said:

    Finally, to the poster who said he likes the band for its music, not its politics: they are inseparable.

    I disagree with this. I love their music but disagree with a lot of their political views.

    +1