Dead & Company, a band comprised of members of Grateful Dead and singer-guitarist John Mayer, will perform in Charlotte on June 10. On Thursday, the band announced that they would be donating $100,000 to organizations fighting to repeal HB2.
In a letter to fans, Dead & Company wrote, “After much thought, consideration and conversation, we feel the most effective way to move forward is to perform as scheduled in Charlotte, North Carolina on June 10 and to donate $100,000.00 to organizations engaged in this battle for justice – the Human Rights Campaign and Equality North Carolina.”
Dead & Company join bands like Mumford & Sons, Dave Matthews Band, and The Lumineers who have chosen to play in North Carolina despite the recent passage of House Bill 2. Other artists, such as Bruce Springsteen, Pearl Jam, and Maroon 5, cancelled North Carolina shows.
Read Dead & Company’s full statement:
“This March, when North Carolina lawmakers passed HB2 and Governor Pat McCrory signed it into law, we categorically objected to it. We had hoped that by now this abhorrent law would have been repealed. Sadly, it has not.
After much thought, consideration and conversation, we feel the most effective way to move forward is to perform as scheduled in Charlotte, North Carolina on June 10 and to donate $100,000.00 to organizations engaged in this battle for justice – the Human Rights Campaign and Equality North Carolina.
Additionally, we will assemble a “Participation Row” social action area, where we’ll host local organizations fighting discrimination and national organizations dedicated to voter registration and protecting the planet. Every fan in attendance will have an opportunity to learn about the true ramifications of the HB2 law, and take meaningful action by registering to vote; to that end we are working on an online community registration site that will assist the HeadCount organization in promoting and simplifying voter registration.
Dead shows have always been a safe place for all of our audience to come together through music no matter how they appear or self-identify. History shows these values of openness and inclusiveness have served us – and the world around us – well.
We’ve never been a band that’s spoken many words when we’re on stage. But we hope that our actions, and the actions of our fans, will ring louder than ever before.
With Love and Respect,
Dead & Company”
House Bill 2, also known as HB2, strips local governments in the state from passing laws that would grant anti-discrimination protection to people in the LGBT community. It also removes any power that local and county governments have to adopt living wage ordinances. Most of the controversy regarding the law has centered on a provision that requires a person to use the public bathroom that corresponds with the gender on their birth certificate. It was passed by the North Carolina General Assembly and signed by Governor Pat McCrory in March.
Dead & Company formed in 2015 after a string of successful reunion shows by the Grateful Dead. Grateful Dead members Bob Weir, Mickey Hart, and Bill Kreutzmann are featured in the band. The group will play Charlotte’s PNC Music Pavilion on June 10.
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