Is the concert stage an appropriate venue to promote political views?

Set as news: False

Set as news: True

Yes, as US citizens we have the First amendment ...Freedom of speech, Freedom of Assembly. Feedback from critics is not always favorable; consequence of broadcasting political views on concert stage will either make or break you. To promote an opinion on "where you stand politicaly" to a paying crowd who comes to hear the music is a risk each individual takes. I believe it has to do with location, and the "tone" of the country at the time......I am watching for the Dixie Chicks to make an enormous Come Back! Shame on radio stations for banning them for their constitutional right.

I don't go to concerts but if I paid for a ticket to hear music and had to listen to political rhetoric I would be one unhappy camper.   However, if I was aware that there was also going to be some sort of political rally,  prior to buying the ticket then the choice to hear the rhetoric is mine.  As to your question as it reads I can only assume that the people attending the concert were caught unaware and as such,  it most definitely is inappropriate.   

As long as it's understood that when making your stand public you are also putting yourself out there to scrutiny.  

A few years ago when Natalie Maines made her now infamous comments, she and others seemed indignant that there was a public outcry about it.  If you can't take the heat, stay out of the kitchen.  Likewise, if you can't handle the repurcussions, don't state your opinions in the public arena.

We in the United States have the unique right to speak out and say what we think and feel.  Few places in the world have that.  Along with that, we also have the right to disagree with what others think and feel.  There are some who feel that the rich and famous should not be able to use the stage as their personal "bully pulpit".  People have been doing it for years.  But like the Dixie Chicks learned, with the freedom of speech there can be a price to pay.

Okay.

issue prior to revisions:

Let's get this one out.  It's concise and interesting.

You're good, Jacki! I like your revision a lot!!

is the concert stage an appropriate venue to promote political views?

What if you're like me: You don't think they should absolutely air their views, but it's OK if they do?  O how I wish we could use "Is it OK...?" Much less fraught than "acceptable."

I don't like "'should"  in this instance; it implies "ought to."

i think this works fine as a "should" question.

if you think musicians should promote their political views on stage you answer "yes".  if you don't, you answer "no".

I like the issue.

issue prior to revisions:

This has to change to "Is it acceptable for musicians to use the concert stage to promote political views," or something along those lines in my judgment.

When you look at what the affirmative position would be as currently written for the "yes" stand:

Musicians should use the concert stage to promote political views...it doesn't work, right?

Should musicians use "the stage" or "their stage," maybe?

you guys convinced me.  nice work.  is the wording okay with everyone?  Is this ready for approval?

This is definitely a debate.

And here's a 2004 article from the Tennessean, in which country legend Merle Haggard says:

Fortunately, I haven't been silly enough to talk about politics in my shows. It makes my skin crawl and my hair come up on my neck for somebody to take advantage of an audience that has come to see you perform and laid down money for that ticket. That's unacceptable.

Laura Ingraham came out with the book, "shut up and sing."  That's what the book was about and a lot of conservatives rallied around it during the vote for change concerts.  This was a big deal with the Dixie Chicks obviously. 

wow, i'm with ian on this one.  i am terribly bored by it.  but, if someone can post evidence - a direct quote-  from one public figure that says "no" to this, then i will go along with it ...

This will be a good issue for Bob Geldof and Bono.

I like this one, myself.

We'll definitely find evidence on both sides of this one.

issue prior to revisions:

I might make it:  "Should musicians use the concert stage to promote political views?"

It is part of a larger debate but it's especially relevant to musicians, as live shows are unscripted (unlike, say, plays)  so someone who has paid to hear music might wind up hearing  a diatribe. (Of course, with overtly political acts, one would expect to hear one.)

plays into the larger debate as to whether anyone cares about the opinions of famous people... I can't say, however, that this issue holds any interest for me whatsoever.

Can probably word this better.  Lots of evidence available here.