In light of all the recent backlash and approval of bands speaking their minds on stage I figured I’d throw my two cents into the hat. Recently there has been more and more artists using their time on stage as a political platform and conversely there’s more and more that seem to disapprove of that action. Honestly, I first have to wonder is it really more or are we just noticing more? Is it more or are we just so hell bent on having an opinion on our own that the backlash seems to be higher than ever? For argument's sake let’s go with the fact that we do have more and more artists doing this. There are those like Aaron Lewis of Staind who has publicly come out and said it’s his “Responsibility” to speak to his audience about his feelings on the political climate and such. Aaron is a proud Trump supporter, and, in all fairness, he’s seen better days in the public eye. Now I’ll get right to my feelings on politics so there’s no confusion. I hate them, I hate them all. I cannot stand the division, the hatred, the bullying nor any of it. I don’t go into that subject because it is full of venom these days and I’d rather speak about positive things.
As a concert promotor bands have the opportunity to say what they feel on a stage that I provide them. This is the whole reason I feel I can even have a slight opinion on this matter. When you are given a time slot on a 717 Entertainment show that platform is yours. For however long you are on that stage you can speak your mind, sing your songs and use the platform in any way you so choose. I don’t have to agree with everything you say nor do I honestly care to all the time. That’s not my business. I fully believe in free speech so if you want to go up and say “Fuck Ice” you go right ahead. Want to talk about your love of Trump, go for it. Here’s my counter to this. It’s now the audiences right to feel how they are going to feel. If they agree then maybe they’ll buy your merch and talk you up all over town. Perhaps they’ll disagree and not be able to stand it and never listen to you again and that is there right. Me as a promoter I have every right to not book you again if I were to dislike something you said. I can honestly say that has yet to happen. On stage you are taking the crowd on a journey, and you can fill it with music or speech. When you fill it with more that music you are givne that audience a bigger array of options to like or dislike you. There is nothing wrong with that. One thing I won’t do is contact a band and say “hey, I’d like to have you back, but you got to cut out that political shit”. If it came to that I’d rather not book that artist and let them do their full act elsewhere. Again, I 100% support free speech. Obviously, there’s exceptions, I’m not going to stand by if you start talking pro pedo or something of that nature but with regards to the political realm of things then do your thing and let the rest decide.
I disagree w/ Aaron on his Responsibility comment. I don’t think it’s his or any other artists Responsibility to give us their thoughts on things. I do feel it’s his right of course. Not everyone wants to go to a political rally when they go to a concert. Not everyone wants to be all serious, many go to concerts to escape from the abysmal situation this world is in. I don’t hate the notion that it’s his responsibility and I can truly see why he feels that way. I can understand why anyone would want to use their platform to speak what they feel is good to the people. Understand this, when folks talk about this stuff on stage they truly feel they are doing the right thing and hoping they help someone else see the right side of things that they feel they see. This is on both sides of course.
Here’s a few pet peeves on my end. Again, if you want to play a 717 Entertainment show don’t let this stop you. I’m just being honest. Personally, I’d rather see an act keep it the preaching to a minimum. We don’t need to hear 2 minutes after every single song about your views of the world. I just would rather hear a few more songs in that time as opposed to the same rhetoric spoken from fifteen different angles. You want to get your point across that way that is 100% your thing and I’ll shut up and listen while you're onstage but respectfully, I won’t be enjoying the set as much as I could. To clarify: this is both sides. I might be nitpicking on this one but I’m being honest, so I’ll say it. I’m not a fan of the tough guy talk. Saying things like “If you don’t agree with us, we’re the mothing fucking (insert band name) and you can see us after the show”. Even to say, “If you don’t agree w/ us fuck you and blah blah we’re tough”. Again, if that’s your thing have at it but I’ll be rolling my eyes. I don’t know why it annoys me, but I’ve seen it and I know it does.
So, what’s the point of all this? I’ll try to narrow it down. A. I personally don’t believe it’s anyone’s Responsibility to say anything they don’t want to on stage. If you feel it is then that’s how you feel and that’s fine. B. I Do feel it’s your right to to say what you wish and it’s the audiences’ right to choose their opinion on you based on that. You're taking them a step beyond your music in order to form an opinion on your band and that’s ok. Enclosing I will never tell you how to use your time on stage.