Pittsburgh Arts, Regional Theatre, New Work, Producing, Copyright, Labor Unions,
New Products, Coping Skills, J-O-Bs...
Theatre industry news, University & School of Drama Announcements, plus occasional course support for
Carnegie Mellon School of Drama Faculty, Staff, Students, and Alumni.
CMU School of Drama
Monday, September 18, 2017
U2 Cancel St. Louis Concert Over Safety Concerns
Rolling Stone: U2's Saturday night concert at St. Louis' Dome at America's Center has been canceled due to the protests currently taking place in the city following the acquittal of a police officer who shot and killed a black driver.
3 comments:
Truly Cates
said...
They did the right thing, obviously, but I'm sure fans were really disappointed. Although, this cancellation could actually be seen as a lesson. Regular life can't proceed like normal when things go wrong and injustice exists. Maybe this is like taking candy away from a misbehaved child.
U2's response seems justified and smart. Having people like them being fully aware and concerned with the outside world is assuring, especially when they are successful artists. I agree with them that the fan's safety might be compromised by the protests. It makes sense the protests could break out at the concert because when someone is upset and wants to make an impact, what better way then making a scene in a large crowded area celebrating a very famous band. I noticed that by cancelling the concert U2 was also avoiding making a political statement which in that environment could be taken in an hostile way depending on other ways they could've handled the situation.
U2 has always been a political band. They’ve never shied away from that, until now. Their official statement put a lot of responsibility on the police department and the venue, rightfully so. However, what was happening in St. Louis was not just a busy night, there were riots in the streets over a fairly divisive issue in our country. And perhaps it was the right publicity move given U2’s role in this social justice issue. U2 has typically been more aligned with humanitarian relief and support of oppressed people, but I would say this issue is getting rather close to the latter of those. So, I do have to wonder just involved Bono was in the statement, or if it was quickly drafted by the promoter and the agent. Interestingly enough, I believe Ed Sheeran also cancelled a concert that night, or close to that night, for similar reasons, but did not get nearly as much coverage. Perhaps that is because of U2’s image as a political band?
3 comments:
They did the right thing, obviously, but I'm sure fans were really disappointed. Although, this cancellation could actually be seen as a lesson. Regular life can't proceed like normal when things go wrong and injustice exists. Maybe this is like taking candy away from a misbehaved child.
U2's response seems justified and smart. Having people like them being fully aware and concerned with the outside world is assuring, especially when they are successful artists. I agree with them that the fan's safety might be compromised by the protests. It makes sense the protests could break out at the concert because when someone is upset and wants to make an impact, what better way then making a scene in a large crowded area celebrating a very famous band. I noticed that by cancelling the concert U2 was also avoiding making a political statement which in that environment could be taken in an hostile way depending on other ways they could've handled the situation.
U2 has always been a political band. They’ve never shied away from that, until now. Their official statement put a lot of responsibility on the police department and the venue, rightfully so. However, what was happening in St. Louis was not just a busy night, there were riots in the streets over a fairly divisive issue in our country. And perhaps it was the right publicity move given U2’s role in this social justice issue. U2 has typically been more aligned with humanitarian relief and support of oppressed people, but I would say this issue is getting rather close to the latter of those. So, I do have to wonder just involved Bono was in the statement, or if it was quickly drafted by the promoter and the agent. Interestingly enough, I believe Ed Sheeran also cancelled a concert that night, or close to that night, for similar reasons, but did not get nearly as much coverage. Perhaps that is because of U2’s image as a political band?
Post a Comment