Low Cut Connie says politics are behind the sudden cancellation of their upcoming performance. The Philadelphia-based rock band was set to play Friday at the “Rocking the River” festival in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.
Frontman Adam Weiner broke the news to fans Monday on social media. “For the first time ever, my show has been canceled for ‘political’ reasons,” he posted on the band’s Facebook page.
Weiner said Luzerne County officials decided the band was “too controversial and polarizing.” He pushed back, writing, “Low Cut Connie shows are quite the opposite!!”
The free summer concert series is open to all ages. Taking the band’s place this Friday is an AC/DC cover group.
In a video message, Weiner called the decision “so disappointing and upsetting.” He said, “They won’t tell us, but they have indicated they are canceling my show for political reasons.”
Weiner pointed to his onstage comments about diversity and inclusion as a possible cause. “Everyone is welcome at a Low Cut Connie show,” he said. “‘Diversity’ and ‘inclusion’ should not be dirty words.”
He also mentioned the band’s protest song, Livin’ in the USA, which was released in May. It touches on fear, unrest, and the “inhumane” ICE raids happening in the country.
Weiner called the cancellation “cowardly.” He compared it to Stephen Colbert’s recent show cancellation, saying, “Artists like myself are losing work because of our principles, just like Stephen Colbert.”