According to multiple posts on Reddit [via Consequence], Neko's Case ended her performance last night (Oct. 9) at Caverns in Pelham, Tennessee, prematurely when the venue refused to remove armed security.
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New pornographers The member and her band reportedly walked off stage after just three or four songs of performing in support of the new album. Neon Gray Midnight Green after Case told the audience that she was “raped at gunpoint.” One fan described “An older white 'armed civilian' wearing jeans, a cowboy hat and a huge gun on his hip” displayed at the side of the stage.
“Guys, there's a man on every side of this room with a gun, and I don't feel comfortable doing this show, I'm sorry,” Case apparently said, according to supposed transcription of another fan's post. “This is not normal. I can't have people with guns watching me right now. I don’t know if you’ve ever been raped at gunpoint, but you don’t want people hanging around with guns, you just fucking don’t.” [unintelligible]… so I'm really sorry, but they're not leaving, so I guess we'll leave, thank you.”
Another person who claims to have been in the front row, said she saw the singer-songwriter with her band backstage before taking the stage, and “it was clear that the sight of an armed security guard with an open carry had surprised and upset her – she was backing away, shaking her head 'no', and there was a flurry of people on stage around her.”
They added that after people started applauding, they “gave the impression that she tried to rally and move on as soon as she was noticed/recognised. But it clearly irritated her too much.”
According to Reddit visitors and the establishment's responses to comments on Facebook post about the concert – ticket refunds are issued. Many visitors to the various comment sections seem to be rightfully upset about the situation, although too many seem to be misdirecting their anger at Case for needing “special treatment.” I can think of very few situations where an armed guard is – openly, no less! – at such a show it would be necessary to have somewhere near the stage (The Caverns – this is also in the literal sense of the word cave).
