Hedley concert at Kitchener's Aud still on, refunds possible
Hedley is set to play at the Aud arena on March 10, despite some calls for the show to be cancelled
The City of Kitchener held a meeting Thursday evening to re-evaluate next week's upcoming Hedley concert after calls for the show to be cancelled. But staff said Friday the show will go on.
"In light of recent info coming out about Hedley and the band members, we just wanted to regroup to have a conversation," Kitchener city communications representative, Colleen Collins, said in an interview with CBC News Friday.
- 'It is disgusting': Kitchener woman wants Hedley concert cancelled
- Hedley concert in Kitchener still a go despite Windsor's cancellation
She said the city has been monitoring the situation, but has a contract with Live Nation — an events promoter and venue operator — that the city "intends to honour, which means the Hedley concert will go on as scheduled next Saturday evening."
Hedley is set to perform at city-owned The Aud arena in Kitchener on March 10, despite a show the next night in Windsor being cancelled — Caesars Windsor is the first venue to cancel one of the shows on the Canadian pop-rock band's tour.
The Canadian pop-rock band has been under fire since sexual misconduct allegations against the band began swirling two weeks ago. This week, CBC News reported the story of an Ottawa woman who accused the lead singer of the band, Jacob Hoggard, of rape.
Concert concern
Thursday, downtown Kitchener resident Kara Weiler wrote a letter to Mayor Berry Vrbanovic, city councillor Sarah Marsh and CBC News asking the city to cancel the concert, or explain why it hadn't.
"The allegations of sexual misconduct against the band, and more recently, the allegations of rape against their lead singer, are horrendous," said Weiler in her letter.
"Knowing this band is still on tour and many cities, including my own, are refusing to take action is disgusting."
The city responded to her letter, but maintained the concert will not be cancelled at this time.
Collins said the city takes pride in providing a safe, inclusive and welcoming environment for all guests and encourage any ticket holders who have questions about the show, or how to refund their tickets to contact the box office at Centre in The Square.
She said as of Thursday, the concert is not yet sold out, but tickets are still being sold.
Weiler is not the only Kitchener resident to ask for the concert to be cancelled, said Collins, however the city has also heard from residents who support the concert continuing.
She also said there has not been an "excessive" amount of local residents saying no to Hedley.