Kansas cancels the whole european tour

It's been over for quite some time since Steve Walsh cancelled them.

Nogbad_The_Bad wrote: Logan wrote: Mascodagama wrote: Logan wrote: I could understand why they might think that just having the name Kansas could put the band, roadies, audience etc. at more risk. Srsly? I like to think that some around here appreciate my odd sense of humour, but I am being serious. Incidentally: Columbia man charged with plotting Islamic State terror attack on Kansas City Europe is as safe as the USA, time to put on the tinfoil hat, stock up on canned food & barricade ourselves in the basement.

Of course I can't speak for the band Kansas, but I know that with the same level of security, I would feel safer playing in, say, Glendale than Molenbeek. I wasn't saying that the US is safer than Europe, but to many Americans that is the perception (especially when it comes to Islamic terrorism, probably not the perception to violence generally, or I would hope not). Look at that article, there was someone planning an IS inspired attack (seems like entrapment by the way) in Kansas City. So, Kansas isn't safe in Kansas from Islamic terrorism. And here's a man from Kansas who planned an IS inspired attack on an army base in Kansas: http://time.com/3817808/isis-kansas-man/ . If one were paranoid, one might think that because the bomb plot failed in the state of Kansas, maybe news will spread to Europe to plan an attack on the band Kansas instead.

It's largely about perception, and I think sometimes in such conversations people talk facts without recognizing perceptions that don't need to be based on big picture reality.

As for general safety, including safety from crime generally, it depends where you are in Europe and where you are in the US. Bad things can happen anywhere. I certainly feel safer here in Vancouver than I so when I cross the border even though I generally find the people friendlier south of the 49th parallel (Washington, Oregon). In Paris I didn't feel that safe. I got pick-pocketed on the first day by some kids in the metro (I had an empty wallet), and in Warsaw (I met Roger Waters there as we shared a hotel) someone else tried to pick my pockets. I've never worried about that here.

My point, though, about the band possibly fearing safety risks based on the band being named after a US state in the heartland of America is that there may be added hostility to Americans from heartland states, especially ones named after that state as politically they may get get associated with the more hawkish America. Maybe Kansas the band wouldn't be, I'm not a mind-reader, and I'm saying "maybe" and if they did, I could understand why they might feel that way. I have heard of Americans travelling using Canadian flags on their backpacks so that they would feel safer. Kansas Senator Pat Roberts (an NRA supporter who makes places Kansas less safe), along with other senators, said that Obama should step it up on ISIS. I'd like to see him fight al-Baghdadi mano-a-mano, but being such a big NRA supporter, he'd probably prefer pistols at dawn. He's also been quite the strident Republican when it comes to various terrorism issues: http://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/sen-pat-roberts-says-terrorists-are-coming-kansas#54332

Anyway, maybe my perception of Kansas people is wrong, but I think of Kansas as a pretty redneck state where people (or politicians representing the state) are more likely to fear terrorism and want to lash out at so-called extremists than many other places. But I don't know the politics of the band Kansas at all (I don't even know if they live in Kansas), but I think that if I were an IS supporter, I would be more likely to want to target a band called Kansas than one called, say, Art Zoyd.

Sorry posting such a long post to such succinct comments.

I don't think I need to say that I think Trump is an utter nut job and fears are being greatly exaggerated and are often quite irrational, but if my Christian band Texas were to do an open-air concert, I might be more worried about a potential terrorist attack in the capital of France or Germany or Belgium or even in Luton (the crown jewel of Bedfordshire) than, say, the capital cities of the US and Canada (even though I wouldn't feel safe in Washington D.C. without my snipers, but then I never go anywhere without them). Maybe I'd be safer in Europe, but I could understand the perception. Actually, I think my band "The Unbelievers" would be in more danger in heartland America, because my band would be atheist (would bomb in Saudi Arabia too).

EDITED for numerous typos, and I bet there are more still.

Edited by Logan - May 12 2017 at 15:46

Perhaps they realized they weren't in Kansas anymore....

And also nobody should go to Fargo.......did u see that movie?

Wow. While, instead, the US are very safe now..... and especially the midwest with all its shootings

Catcher10 wrote: Guys think "Eagles of Death Metal" and Paris.....That is what this is about. It's not about Kansas backing out, it is about protecting those that might be harmed at a show filled with innocent people. Yea the guys from Kansas walking around any European city would be fine, no doubt. Put them on stage, in front of 8-12,000 people in a closed environment and its a tragic event waiting to happen....That's the world we live in. "American Rock Band Ignores US Travel Warning......hundreds die at one of their shows in Europe due to terrorist act." You/Kansas don't want to see that headline.......

I'll wear a floral dress if you get Kansas to bring in 1500 people a night. I'm sure they can gather 10000 folks in the States but here? Not even close.

Simon mentioned it earlier and I too have thought about this announcement as some kind of smokescreen for not selling enough tickets. This way the band retains it's pride.

Btw I am cancelling my tour of Russia due to the increase of bears. Damn...and to think I am disappointing all my fans in the Urals.

Sean Trane wrote: Actually, It is Europe that cancelled the tour of that un-prog band from the Prairies: they're believed to be Trump supporters and NRA enthusiasts The risks of dangerous and malevolent contagion was too great to risk European population health

Edited by Phaerdas - May 13 2017 at 09:01

RoeDent wrote: Come on guys, it's obviously poor ticket sales, covered over with the security excuse. Hey, maybe the sales are so poor they can't afford security for themselves.