Monday, September 14, 2009

UPDATE: Banton cancelled in several cities: Does this include Denver, Aspen and Salt Lake?

By the time I found out about his murderous lyrics and the prominent tour dates he was playing, the campaign to force cancellations of Buju Banton concerns had already succeeded in cancelling several of his big shows:

AEG Live/Goldenvoice (producer of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival)
and Live Nation, parent company of House of Blues, all announced last night that
they have canceled their respective concerts by Buju Banton. The cancellations
followed a huge outcry from people all over the country, angry that these
companies were promoting a singer whose lyrics glorify the murder of gay people.
Banton was to perform at Los Angeles' Nokia Club (Oct. 14), in San Francisco
(Oct. 10), Philadelphia (Sept. 12) and at the House of Blues in: Chicago (Oct.
1), Las Vegas (Oct. 15), Dallas (Oct. 20) and Houston (Oct. 22).
I could be wrong, but Banton's shows in Denver, Aspen and Salt Lake appear to be scheduled. The Gay Liberation Network had all three shows still scheduled as of August 30.

Chicago's Gay Liberation Network, which lobbied Live Nation CEO Michael Rapino
to quit trafficking in Banton's hate, also notes these upcoming tour dates with
AEG Live: Philadelphia (Sept 12); Providence (Sept 15); Portland, ME (Sept 17);
Revere, MA (Sept 18); Charlotte (Sept 23); Raleigh (Sept 24); Norfolk (Sept 25);
Richmond, VA (Sept 26); Detroit (Sept 30); Denver (Oct 6); Aspen, CO (Oct 7);
Salt Lake City (Oct 8); San Francisco (Oct 10); Tallahassee (Oct 11);
Jacksonville, FL (Oct 12); San Jose, CA (Oct 13); Charleston (Oct 14); Los
Angeles (Oct 14); Raleigh (Oct 15).
Since only the national campaign to cancel the tour has information about each local city, it's unclear what coalitions have been mobilized in those cities. I also found this more local Salt Lake article. Tomorrow I need to call these venues and also get a hold of some friends in Salt Lake.

And by the way...travellers concerned about homophobic violence may wish to consider avoiding Banton's home nation of Jamaica. "Feel alright" indeed...

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