Hedley Now A Band On The Run
Defamed by tornado-strength, mostly anonymous allegations and innuendo of sexual impropriety on social media this week, Hedley’s band camp is fast falling apart in the early stage of a national arena tour that was expected to be a sinfully profitable affair.
By David Farrell
Defamed by tornado-strength, mostly anonymous allegations and innuendo of sexual impropriety on social media this week, Hedley’s band camp is fast falling apart in the early stage of a national arena tour that was expected to be a sinfully profitable affair.
In the past 18 hours, the band’s management, touring agency and opening act have thrown up their hands and abandoned their ship, leaving them to face a headwind that shows no sign of let-up.
On Friday, the band’s manager, Watchdog Management, and the Feldman Agency issued a statement saying given the multiple allegations against Hedley, they will be terminating their business relationships with the band “effective immediately.”
Neon Dreams and Shawn Hook had been travelling with Hedley on its Live Nation-promoted Cageless tour, but dropped out by the weekend, saying it can no longer in good conscience continue the tour.
In a statement, Neon Dreams said:
“We understand this choice could negatively impact our band professionally but, in the end, we have to do what we feel is morally right. We would like to thank all the amazing fans that have made the first 8 shows on the tour the best experience of our lives. We are truly sorry to disappoint anybody that has purchased a ticket to see us perform and we hope to make it up to you in the future.”
Another blow to the pocketbook includes a growing bandwidth of radio networks, including Bell Media, CBC and Corus Entertainment, suspending play of the band's catalogue of pop hits until some clarity is brought to the ill-defined allegations.
It must be stressed that all allegations of impropriety are just that at this stage and no charges against the group or any of its members have been put forward.
And here is the full Cageless tour itinerary
Monday, February 05 – Abbotsford, BC – Abbotsford Centre
Tuesday, February 06 – Victoria, BC – Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre
Thursday, February 08 – Prince George, BC – CN Centre
Friday, February 09 – Grande Prairie, AB – Revolution Place
Saturday, February 10 – Red Deer, AB – ENMAX Centrium
Monday, February 12 – Calgary, AB – Stampede Corral
Wednesday, February 14 – Medicine Hat, AB – Canalta Centre
Thursday, February 15 – Moose Jaw, SK – Mosaic Place
Friday, February 16 – Brandon, MB – Westman Place
Monday, February 19 – Barrie, ON – Barrie Molson Centre
Tuesday, February 20 – Ottawa, ON – The Arena at TD Place
Wednesday, February 21 – Montreal (Laval), QC – Place Bell
Friday, February 23 – Halifax, NS – Halifax Scotiabank Centre
Saturday, February 24 – Summerside, PEI – Credit Union Place
Monday, February 26 – Quebec City, QC – Centre Videotron
Tuesday, February 27 – Kingston, ON – Rogers K-Rock Centre
Thursday, March 01 – Brampton, ON – Powerade Centre
Friday, March 02 – Peterborough, ON – Peterborough Memorial Centre
Saturday, March 03 – Mississauga, ON – Hershey Centre
Tuesday, March 06 – Hamilton, ON – FirstOntario Centre
Wednesday, March 07 – St. Catharines, ON – Meridian Centre
Friday, March 09 – Oshawa, ON – Tribute Communities Centre
Saturday, March 10 – Kitchener, ON – The Aud (Kitchener Memorial Auditorium Complex)
Sunday, March 11 – Windsor, ON – The Colosseum at Caesars Windsor
Tuesday, March 13 – Owen Sound, ON – Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre
Wednesday, March 14 – Sudbury, ON – Sudbury Arena
Friday, March 16 – Thunder Bay, ON – Fort William Gardens
Saturday, March 17 – Winnipeg, MB – Bell MTS Place
Monday, March 19 – Saskatoon, SK – SaskTel Centre
Tuesday, March 20 – Cold Lake, AB – Imperial Oil Place
Thursday, March 22 – Edmonton, AB – Rogers Place
Friday, March 23 – Kelowna, BC – Prospera Place
