After three long months, Simple Plan have come back online for the first time since the announcement of David’s withdrawal from the band, which came suddenly following certain sexual misconduct allegations against him that had appeared on the internet. After this announcement, Simple Plan took an indefinite hiatus to “pause, reflect and put in place guidelines to prevent similar situations from happening”.
And that is exactly what they did. Simple Plan decided to partner up with the Good Night Out Campaign, who’s purpose is to make nightlife safer, prevent sexual harassment and assault in spaces such as bars, clubs, venues or festivals.
Simple Plan penned a lengthy post, which we will let speak for itself:
We wholeheartedly believe that every Simple Plan fan, regardless of their gender identity or expression, ethnic or cultural background, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, socio-economic position, disability or physical appearance, should feel welcome and safe at our shows. There is nothing more important to us.
Earlier this summer, we released a statement announcing that our bass player, David, was withdrawing from the band to work on his personal issues. We know the events that have led to this situation have caused many of you sadness and disappointment and we would like to apologize once again to everyone who has been affected.
We are well aware of how privileged we are to be in this band and to have loyal fans who support us. With that privilege comes a responsibility to do the right thing and to meet our genuine commitment to learn, grow and be better through positive actions. We want to be a part of the movement to make the music scene a more equal, safer and inclusive place. There’s a lot of work to do and we know making social change is long-term work, so these are long-term commitments.
To help us, we have partnered with the Good Night Out Campaign, a specialist UK-based organization working to create safer concerts, music, nightlife and cultural spaces worldwide. They will be helping us implement some transformative initiatives for all future Simple Plan shows and events.
We have missed all of you so much these past few months, but we believe it was necessary to take a step back to reflect and work together on the guidelines we are sharing with you today.
We really can’t wait for you to hear our new music and to play shows again!
Take care & thank you for your support.”
Below, we include the full list of the guidelines the band is referring to, which will from now on (when the concerts are back on) will be adhered to at every Simple Plan performance. The guidelines can now also be found on their official website:
- At every Simple Plan show and event, we will designate a local venue manager and band representative with whom anyone attending our concerts can share, report and get support if they witness or experience any incidents of discrimination or abuse. They will work closely with venue staff and security, who will be instructed to always believe, help and support anyone who needs it.
- Collaborating with our promoters, each local venue will help us set up a physical “safer space” at our shows to provide support for anyone who needs it. We will share information about the location of that “safer space” at the venues and online, as well as contact information for the designated venue manager and our trained band representative.
- Posters throughout the venue will remind everyone attending that no discrimination, harassment or violence will be tolerated at our shows and will provide contact information of local specialist support organizations wherever in the world we are touring.
- Alongside our band representative, all band members, crew and touring personnel and the rest of our team will receive specialist training from our partners, the GOOD NIGHT OUT CAMPAIGN, to help us spread this understanding and knowledge as widely as possible.
- We will hire and offer more opportunities to women, LGBTQ+ and culturally-diverse crew members, touring employees and artists on future tours and concerts.
- We will work and collaborate with more women, LGBTQ+ and culturally-diverse creators, photographers and videographers.
- We will set aside a designated amount of free tickets at every show to be given to local charitable organizations supporting lower-income youth to promote and encourage greater accessibility to live music and concerts.
- We will continue to do everything in our power to make sure fans with disabilities have greater and more comfortable access to our shows by collaborating with our promoters around the world.
- We will continue the Simple Plan Foundation’s mission of helping young people in need and expand our field of action by adding organizations that support equality, inclusivity and creating safer spaces in the arts and music world to the list of charitable groups we support and donate to.
- We will continue to voice our support of LGBTQ+ communities worldwide by actively promoting equal rights and inclusion, as well as continue our financial support of anti-homophobia programs in schools.
