Does anyone else hate it when a performer injects hi/her political beliefs

[clarice]

during a live performance ?I don't care if it's right wing..left wing..or in the middle, I pay good
money to be ENTERTAINED....not lectured.

I was at a show last week when a performer did just that. You could feel the audience's
excitement level go WAY down. Why do they do that? To me...it's like espousing your personal religious views during a show.

[CBGLuthier]

1. Shut up and Sing?

Dance monkey dance?


No, I have no problem with it at all.

I also do not have a problem with espousing religious views. I do not think that performers are jukeboxes. I think they are real live human beings who sometimes want to share their beliefs with their fans. WTF is wrong with that?

[clarice]

3. Because a majority of people did not go to the show to hear that stuff. nt

[CBGLuthier]

5. Majority Rule?

Why do you hate the constitution?

[clarice]

8. What !!!!???? funniest post of the day. nt

[LanternWaste]

61. Nor is the majority of the show "that stuff"...

Nor is the majority of the show "that stuff"...

[clarice]

63. That is correct. nt

[Aristus]

2. I'm not that crazy about it.

Left-wing or right-wing.

Performers' lives are such open books these days, we will know their views without having to be told.

[Avalux]

4. Depends on the music and the crowd.

If the lyrics are politically motivated and people are there because they like it, not a problem.

I want to be entertained, but I tend to like music for other reasons too. The worst show I ever went to was Paramore. The singer kept telling long-winded stories about herself between each song. She was a self-absorbed idiot and it really detracted from the performance.

[clarice]

6. I agree...

If you go to see Rage against the Machine...you pretty well know what to expect, and you are probably there because you agree with the band's leanings. But I hate to be blindsided with it.

[Avalux]

10. It's almost like false advertising, I guess.

So is being too drunk to get through the songs and babbling nonsensically!! (I've been to shows like that too).

Do you mind if I ask which performer blindsided you?

[clarice]

11. LOL....I was

at a Steve Miller concert years ago...when the drummer fell off of his stool (drunk as hell)
The rest of the band just laughed.

re" The recent show ?...I would rather not say...I'm already collecting heat on this post.
Let's just say that it was someone who most people would consider "main stream"

[Avalux]

13. No problem.

Main stream performers really SHOULDN'T open their mouths! They present a public image constructed to garner them a great deal of popularity, personal politics doesn't mix.

[clarice]

14. +1 nt

[IcyPeas]

16. Paul Ryan says RATM ....

is one of his favorite bands.

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/tom-morello-paul-ryan-is-the-embodiment-of-the-machine-our-music-rages-against-20120816

[clarice]

21. I was using them as an example....from what i understand...RATM is very opinionated. nt

[mythology]

57. Yet more evidence that Paul Ryan is a blithering clueless idiot

Maybe it's in the same way Reagan liked Born in the USA and Paul Ryan doesn't actually listen to the words that reject everything he stands for.

[hobbit709]

7. Back in the 60's and 70's a LOT of the shows were political.

[clarice]

9. That's true. I just personally don't like it. nt

[Hoyt]

12. With folks like Steve Earle, Lewis Black, Bill Maher, you expect it. I'd be disappointed without.

[clarice]

15. Yes.....I agree....you would know what to expect. nt

[Beaverhausen]

17. I think everyone is entitled to their opinion and to say it out loud

if this performer was saying hateful or racist things, that might be different. But If he or she was just stating his/her opinion about something, why does it bother you?

And why not just say who it was and/or what was said?

[clarice]

19. Because I didn't pay good money to hear some entertainer's..

opinions on anything more than music. I guess I'm just funny that way.
re: who was the performer? I would rather not say, but it was someone who
most people would consider "main stream"

question: Why does it bother you that it bothers me?

[Beaverhausen]

24. why won't you say what it was that he or she said?

Entertainers are people. They can do or say what they like. Why do you want to stifle them? Yes, I know you didn't attend the show to hear them speak.

As someone said above, Shut Up and Sing, right? That's not cool.

[clarice]

25. It's simply my opinion....get over it. nt

[Jamaal510]

18. I don't care either way

if someone else injects their beliefs during live performances, but if it were me, I wouldn't volunteer my political beliefs like that particularly somewhere that doesn't call for it. Obviously not everyone in the world has the same beliefs, so you're going to risk pissing off some of your fans. From a business standpoint, it wouldn't be the smartest thing to do.

[clarice]

20. I agree 100%. nt

[lululu]

22. I prefer it when people speak out

If I don't like what they say, I don't have to buy any more tickets. Too many people don't give a d*mn, we need more who do.

[clarice]

23. Everyone has their personal opinions. Thanks for yours.nt

[Neoma]

26. I might have been confused for a moment.

I thought you meant stand up comedians and I was like, "you don't know the history of stand up comedy do you?"

Music? Depends on the type of band, but typically a different story.

[clarice]

28. thanks. nt

[arcane1]

27. I don't mind mentioning specific issues, but mentioning candidates or politicians can be annoying

[clarice]

30. yep. nt

[Smarmie Doofus]

29. I guess it depends on what they say.

If someone's political views drastically contrasted w. my own I probably wouldn't be in the audience in the first place.

I find it more troublesome when there are indirect appeals to "patriotism" to not-so-subtly support militarism and , in effect, US foreign policy.

Usually, you're a captive audience... there to see a friggin' baseball game or whatever. Some kind of politically *neutral* event.

As in: " Now: to honor our men and women in the armed forces.....": Bullshit. They're not trying to "honor" anyone. They're trying to promote flag-worship and support for US foreign policy.

[clarice]

31. Patriotism in small doses doesn't bother me........

What DOES bother me is when a performer (especially a non- American) starts raving
against the system that allowed them to become rich and famous. Hello Roger Waters?

Oh my, I'm really asking for it now.

[Smarmie Doofus]

32. I'm not a huge fan, but wouldn't someone who pays to see/hear Roger Waters....

.... know that he a political-type guy?

I don't follow him that closely but isn't his activism pretty international in scope?

What exactly is the objection? He's British... isn't he?

Wouldn't it have been the *British* system that allowed him to become rich and famous?

[clarice]

33. I was always a HUGE Floyd fan....until

Roger assumed the dominate song writer roll and started injecting anti capitalist
sentiment into the Floyd mix. This (in part) helped to break up the band as the other members
sensed that Waters was being hypocritical by collecting millions of dollars from an economic
system he seemed to deplore. My objection is the obvious hypocrisy of his stance. Both Britain and the
U.S. operate under capitalist systems so yes........he made lot's of money in both Countries as well
as world wide.

[Smarmie Doofus]

39. This sort of reasoning can really get you into nutty territory.

Should Roosevelt NOT have stepped into the Great Depression to reel in the unfettered capitalism that produced his own family's wealth?

Gosh. That was so *hypocritical*.

I know little about Waters and even less about his economic critique but does it logically follow that: 1. since Citizen A did very well under a particular economic arrangement that , 2. Citizen A cannot/should not advance a critique or pov based, for example, on his observations of OTHER PEOPLE'S EXPERIENCE under the same economic arrangement?

Bad logic and muddy waters. Pun intended.

[clarice]

44. I think that there is an important distinction...

If citizen A. flourished under a particular economic system, wouldn't it behoove him/her to advocate that
system so that others might flourish? It seems to me that he has 1%er syndrome.

[Smarmie Doofus]

51. Not at all. Maybe he thinks he's an anomaly.

Maybe he IS an anomaly.

[clarice]

52. Perhaps. Peace. nt

[noamnety]

65. Uh, no.

1% syndrome is believing that everyone can be in the 1%, just because they made it as an individual.

It's far more realistic and empathetic to understand that they were a statistical fluke, and we need a system that provides a safety net for everyone, instead of just for the lucky 1 percenters.

As for speaking out, if you feel strongly about an issue and have been given a microphone, there might be a sense of moral imperative to use that situation to try to change the world for the better, instead of shutting your mouth and mindlessly entertaining people for a buck.

And for those of us in the audience, that might mean we feel a moral imperative to support or boycott that artist, depending on their views.

[clarice]

67. Absolutely your right....just as it is mine to root out hypocrisy. Peace. nt

[noamnety]

68. I don't understand the hyprocrisy part.

Do you think all rich people should believe that everyone can be middle class or above under capitalism?

[clarice]

71. My point about hypocrisy is this....

IMO....anyone who makes a fortune under the capitalist system, and then rails against
corporate America/capitalism in the media is being disingenuous at best. Don't get me wrong, everyone is entitled to their own belief systems... but it's unseemly to constantly bite the hand that feeds you.
I think most level headed people feel the same way.

I appreciate the chance to converse with you.

[Xipe Totec]

34. Joan Baez - Where have All The Flowers Gone

[clarice]

35. Eh. nt

[clarice]

36. I guess I'd better explain the Eh.

[link:http://www.celebritynetworth.com/richest-celebrities/singers/joan-baez-net-worth/|

[Xipe Totec]

37. I think you were better off not explaining. nt

[clarice]

38. you don't see ANY irony? nt

[Xipe Totec]

40. If she was a war monger now, I might see irony. All I see is envy. nt

[clarice]

42. No, not really...

All I'm saying is that 14 million dollars ain't too bad for a self-proclaimed socialist.
Now, please don't get me wrong...she's got a great voice..one of the clearest..
but it has been my life's goal to root out hypocrisy where ever I see it.

[Kingofalldems]

41. She's a good Democrat. What's wrong with that?

[clarice]

43. If she was REALLY a socialist (which she claims)....

She wouldn't have a $14 million dollar bank roll. She would have shared it with the masses.
14 million puts her in the 1%er category.

[Xipe Totec]

53. That's Bitter.

Thou seest the mote in thy neighbor's eye...

Focus on doing something yourself, instead of acting as humanity's unappointed judge.

[CBGLuthier]

56. Well Said

Trashing every entertainer for the sin of making money and having political beliefs would leave pretty much no one to like worth a damn. Wonder how she feels about the Boss.

[clarice]

73. I don't see myself as any sort of judge...

Just one person exercising my right to question the veracity of certain issues. I have never been one to swallow ANY party line or to march lock step with popular opinion. I hope this explains things.
I have enjoyed the chance to talk with you. Peace.

[NNadir]

45. I generally don't object unless it's Sting.

This is the guy who carries on about his environmentalism, while breeding a huge brood of consumers just like himself.

He writes a catchy tune, but it's annoying to watch him make an ass of himself when he opens his mouth.

[clarice]

46. I couldn't agree more. Hypocrisy at it's finest. nt

[intaglio]

47. Nope, perfectly happy with artists being political

[clarice]

50. Shame it ruined their career. I hear that Emily Robison is in a new band. They sound GOOD. nt

[Kingofalldems]

59. No it's a shame the republicans ruined the Dixie Chicks career.

Guess you forgot.

[clarice]

62. lol....that's a good one. nt

[Kingofalldems]

64. Yeah I think I get where you are coming from.

[clarice]

66. It was the RECORD BUYERS and cancelled concerts that ruined their career. Dontcha think? nt

[noamnety]

70. That's a weird view.

They made their comments in 2003, and had a #1 album on the Billboard country charts 3 years later, and 5 grammy awards in 2007.

You may lead a much more charmed life than me, but if I had a number one album anywhere and a grammy, I wouldn't think of my career as ruined. I'd be freaking jumping up and down. If you don't mind my asking, what the heck do you do that makes you view that as a failure?

[clarice]

72. Yes, my life is charmed in many ways.....I've worked very hard and tried to make good...

decisions to make this possible. I didn't want to get into an argument over the Dixie Chicks. I have no
feeling either way about them. However, I did watch the program "shut up and sing" just to see what all of the fuss was about. If you have watched it, then you get my point about the public turning their backs.

[Beaverhausen]

74. what happened was their 'country' audience left them

They went more Americana on the next CD, hiring Rick Rubin to produce and had a hit, Grammy-winning record.

Now, Emily and Marti have done 2 CD as Courtyard Hounds and Natalie put out a solo CD. I think they will be working together again soon.

You *really* have a problem with entertainers who have an opinion. It's very clear with your responses on this thread.

[clarice]

75. Wrong again...

I simply stated that I don't pay good money to hear an entertainers political beliefs. Unless
I know going in, that it will be more of a political rally rather than a music show. That goes for right wing, left wing, or in the middle. What I find fascinating, is that you have let one person's opinion rile you so.
Calm down, I'm not here to fight with anyone (unless provoked)

[Kingofalldems]

76. No. I know they were blackballed by the media.

Good try though.

[clarice]

77. Good try at what ??????? Expressing my opinion?? Excuuuuuuuuuuse me. nt

[Kingofalldems]

78. Your opinion should be based on facts.

The fact is they were blackballed by the media e.g. country music stations.

[clarice]

79. My opinion can be based on anything that I want it to. Stop acting like a Repug. nt

[Kingofalldems]

80. And I will continue to respond with facts.

Acting like a Repug eh? How ironic.

[clarice]

81. You are dismissed. nt

[Kingofalldems]

82. The hell I am. Right here.

[Kali]

48. only if I disagree with them

otherwise it is fine

[clarice]

49. lol. good one. nt

[lovemydog]

54. If it feels sincere, I don't mind.

[840high]

55. Yes I do.

[Sherman A1]

58. Agreed

If I am paying to be entertained, then that is what I have spent my money upon. If I want a political discussion, then I will find the forum for that as well.

[LisaLynne]

60. You know, I can hardly ever understand what they are saying anyway so ...

I guess I have no opinion!

[dr.strangelove]

69. I don't hate it - if its a belief I disagree with, it bothers me, but

its only because I disagree, not with them saying their position. Of course if its during a song or something, I might be annoyed. But if they just talk about their beliefs, its fine with me.

[hamsterjill]

83. Yes, I hate that. But what about a funeral service?

I was at a funeral service for an elderly relative about two weeks ago. The service was held at the funeral home, not in a church. There was a preacher who presided. The immediate family of the deceased spoke about her, their memories, etc., and there was very little involvement by the preacher UNTIL he started ranting about how he was so sad that his children were not going to be able to "live in the America where he grew up".

It was completely and totally unnecessary for him to say this.

You could feel the chill and the stares...

[bluesbassman]

84. Yeah, but I avoid Ted Nugent like the plague, so I'm safe.

[Arugula Latte]

85. Nope -- doesn't bother me. I don't go to see rightwing performers, though.

I don't happen to be a fan of any, anyway, so it's not a problem. I grew up listening to country music and I tend to loathe most of it (some of the old stuff, like Johnny Cash, is good though).

During the early days of the Iraq invasion/slaughter there was nary a voice to be heard speaking out against the war, except for entertainers like Green Day. I appreciate them having the guts to put themselves out there amidst the rabid jingoism.

[jcboon]

86. Nope

I don't like giving my money to performers with whom I disagree on fundamental issues.

[lunamagica]

87. Depends...If they agree with me, I LOVE it. If they disagree, I hate it

Just being honest here.

Thankfully, most performers I like share my views

I big exception is many on the SNL cast from the early 90's. I'm surprised that many of them turned to be rabid right wingers, and I wonder why it happened...seems like an anomaly

Victoria Jackson, Dana Carvey, Adam Sandler (liked all of them) Denis Miller (always despised him)...I think it's weird