Axed: Maroon 5, Tears For Fears, Eagles Of Death Metal

Maroon 5 joins Bruce Springsteen, violinist Itzhak Perlman, Pearl Jam, Boston and others who are boycotting North Carolina because of that state’s controversial HB2 law that many claim discriminates against the LGBT community.

The band fronted by Adam Levine was scheduled to play Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte Sept. 11 and the PNC Arena in Raleigh Sept. 12.  Now the band is dropping the shows from its schedule due to North Carolina’s new law that, among other things, requires people in government buildings to use restrooms corresponding with their gender at birth.

Maroon 5 revealed its change of plans via a post on its official website.

“We have announced that we will be canceling our upcoming shows in Charlotte and Raleigh, North Carolina because of the recent passage of the HB2 legislation. This was a difficult decision for us to make as a band. We don’t want to penalize our fans in North Carolina by not performing for them, but in the end it comes down to what we feel is morally right.”

The campaign for North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory issued a statement in reaction to Maroon 5’s change of plans.

“Hundreds of concerts have been successfully performed across North Carolina, including Beyoncé, over the past few weeks since the law passed, “campaign spokesman Ricky Diaz said in a statement, according to the Miami Herald.  “We may never know why Maroon 5 waited until weeks later to make their political statement, but at this point, the only people they are hurting by hypocritically targeting North Carolina for selective outrage are their fans and the hardworking men and women servicing these shows while they keep tour dates overseas – even in Russia.”

Springsteen was the first major act to cancel a show in North Carolina because of the state’s “Bathroom Law.”  In early April, The Boss nixed a show planned for Greensboro, N.C., just days before the concert was to take place.  Earlier this week, acclaimed violinist Itzhak Perlman canceled a performance with the North Carolina Symphony after he was told he couldn’t include a statement denouncing the legislation in the concert’s program.

Fans are crying real tears over Tears For Fears canceling it summer tour.  Scheduled to begin June 5 in Cincinnati, the outing was to include stops across the land in such markets as Indianapolis, Spokane, Salt Lake City, Des Moines and Tulsa.

But illness has a way of spoiling even the best made plans.  Tears For Fears’ Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith announced that a “family illness” had put the kibosh on their summer plans.  From TearsForFears.com:

“It’s with great disappointment that we have to postpone our U.S. summer dates due to unforeseen and unhappy circumstances.  We thank our fans for their understanding and hope to get back on the road soon.”

Eagles Of Death Metal, the band that was headlining the Bataclan concert hall in Paris Nov. 13 when terrorists attacked the venue and killed several members of the audience, will not be playing two festivals in France in August.

EODM was scheduled to play Cabaret Vert Festival in Charleville Mezieres Aug. 25 and the Rock En Seine Festival in St. Cloud August 26.  But comments Hughes made in Taki’s Magazine have caused promoters to cancel the band’s appearances.

This isn’t the first time Hughes remarks about the attack have raised eyebrows. While appearing on the Fox Business Network in March, Hughes seemed to suggest the Bataclan’s security guards knew something was about to happen.

“When I first got to the venue and walked in, I walked past the dude who was supposed to be the security guard for the backstage,” Hughes told FBN’s Kennedy.  “He didn’t even look at me.  I immediately went to the promoter and said, ‘Who’s that guy?  I want to put another dude on,’ and he goes, ‘well some of the other guards aren’t here yet,’ and eventually I found out that six or so wouldn’t show up at all.’”

According to the Fox Business Network, Hughes wouldn’t “make a definitive statement out of respect for the police investigation,” but notes that the musician did say, “It seems rather obvious they had a reason not to show up.”

But even though Hughes later apologized for the remarks, he apparently still believes security was involved in the attack. Last week while being interviewed by Taki’s Magazine, Hughes said he still suspected the venue’s security guards were involved with the attack.

“There’s no denying the terrorists were already inside, and they had to get in somehow,” Hughes told Taki’s. “During the shooting I went outside and the backstage door was propped open. How did that happen?”

Hughes also said he saw “Muslims celebrating in the street during the attack.”  

Announcing the band’s exclusion from the festivals’ lineups, organizers issued a statement saying they are “in total disagreement with Jesse Hughes’ recent allegations.”