ward3brighton.ca

I was quite amused last night with the whole council discussion about Nickelback frontman Chad Kroeger’s repeated use of the “F-bomb” during the band’s performance at the Festival of Lights on June 30th. Let me just say for the record; I was not offended by the bands language, I was offended by their music! I was certain they were playing the same song over and over, except when they covered Elton John’s Saturday Night and I could actually distinguish a melody. My wife and I left halfway through.

At the time, Kroeger’s constant cursing and sexual innuendo struck me as a very lame and deliberate performance to fulfil a bad-boy rock star cliche. What I didn’t know then was that the organizers of the event had actually asked the band not to swear during their performance. I think we should all be able to draw upon forty-odd years of historical experience with rock bands who were asked NOT to do something. It always backfires, and I think we’re just lucky Nickelback didn’t go back to their hotel room and toss the furniture out the window. Lesson learned.

I’ve been to many, many large rock concerts with louder and lewder and more outrageous behaviour than Nickelback’s, and I don’t personally have a problem with profanity, but Tourism Charlottetown should not promote an event as “family friendly”, if indeed they did, when the headliners are very well known not to be. I believe, as I’m quoted in the paper, “it was a mistake to ask the band here in the first place if the city is concerned about providing family entertainment.”

I should say, however, that Tourism Charlottetown — poor choice of entertainment aside — deserves credit for a very well organized and successful event. The Charlottetown Police should also be congratulated for keeping a lid on things, as much as was possible under the circumstances.