98 Degrees drop North Carolina gigs from upcoming tour

Reunited boy band 98 Degrees have scrapped their concerts in North Carolina due to the state’s controversial anti-LGBT law.
Nick Lachey and his bandmates recently announced their 35-date My2K Tour, which also features pop music staples O-Town, Ryan Cabrera, and Dream, but on Tuesday (26Apr16), they announced the trek will only be hitting 33 cities in North America after axing two concerts in Charlotte and Raleigh.
The decision is linked to the House Bill 2 (HB2) legislation, known as the ‘Bathroom Bill’, which restricts the public toilets transgenders can use, and the pop stars are among the many musicians who have decided to pull out from performing in the state.
“As a band we get no greater satisfaction than when we’re performing for our fans across the country,” 98 Degrees said in a statement. “Before announcing the My2K Tour, we made the difficult decision on behalf of the entire tour to not move forward with two of our planned shows in Charlotte and Raleigh. Above all else we support equality and fair treatment for all. We hope our fans in North Carolina understand the decision.
“Like many other artists, we don’t appreciate discrimination so we decided we should take a stand and that’s that. Hopefully our fans there will understand, and hopefully they will also contact their state legislator.”
The My2K artists join other stars such as Bruce Springsteen, Pearl Jam, Ringo Starr, and Nick Jonas and Demi Lovato, who have also scrapped state shows.
Meanwhile, other musicians such as Cyndi Lauper, Mumford & Sons and Father John Misty have turned their events into protest shows to raise money for charity.
Country icon Dolly Parton is also refusing to scrap her upcoming Pure & Simple Tour stop in Greensboro, and she will take the stage on 3 June (16) as scheduled.
“I have no plans to cancel the show,” Parton tells local newspaper Winston-Salem Journal. “I believe that everybody ought to be treated with respect, but I feel we will serve better from the stage. I don’t like to get caught up in controversial issues. I will address whatever I need to from the stage.”