Another Of The Biggest Acts in Rock-n-Roll Is Skipping North Carolina


We can now add Pearl Jam to the list of major acts who have recently cancelled performances in North Carolina. The super rock group out of Seattle has just announced the cancellation of their concert scheduled for April 20th in Raleigh. Via social media and their band’s website, the group made it very clear why they were not coming to North Carolina.

“The HB2 law that was recently passed is a despicable piece of legislation that encourages discrimination against an entire group of American citizens. The practical implications are expansive and its negative impact upon basic human rights is profound. We want America to be a place where no one can be turned away from a business because of who they love or fired from their job for who they are.”

Pearl Jam is one of the most socially conscious and politically active bands in America today, so in many ways the cancellation comes as no surprise. They are in the midst of North American tour with many dates, including consecutive nights at NYC’s Madison Square Garden, already sold out. Fans took to social media immediately in response, many expressing their support of the decision and some voicing frustration and outrage.

https://twitter.com/JamesBoyd6161/status/722177659661213696

Since they erupted onto the music scene in the early 1990s, Pearl Jam has built a loyal following of dedicated fans. Over the past few years, the band has performed few shows per tour but that hasn’t stopped their most loyal followers from making arrangements to see them anyway. It is these fans, longtime and dedicated, who are most displaced by the cancellation. Even many who agree with the band’s social and political stance are furious the decision was only made 48 hours prior to the show.

In their statement, the band holds hope that if HB2 is repealed, they can come back to North Carolina to perform and “celebrate.” They’ll need to add making amends to some of their most dedicated fans to that list as well.

 

Feature Image from Pearl Jam’s Facebook Page, Posted March 24, 2016

 

 

Jeff is reformed conservative who is happy to be thinking for himself again. He's an aspiring author working on his first book. Follow #Brick_Says