Canadian rock musician Matthew Good has faced backlash after announcing the cancellation of several upcoming shows in the United States in response to President Donald Trump’s policies.
The 54-year-old artist from Burnaby, British Columbia, shared his decision regarding planned concerts in cities like Buffalo, Cleveland, and Pittsburgh via a post on Facebook on Friday.
In his statement, the musician, known for hits like Decades and Hello Time Bomb, said, ‘To my US fans, and friends… I’ve come to the personal decision, that I can’t, in good conscience carry out my dates this summer in your country.’
Good added: ‘This is not fair to you, and I’m very well aware of that, but the truth is, every week that goes by, I have a deeper disdain for what’s going on there politically.’
In referring to Trump‘s tariffs and other policies, Good said that he would not be able to perform in the U.S. again until major political changes were to happen; and that he was willing to risk his ‘future U.S. career to stand up against things today.’
Trump, in six months since taking office for his second term, has rankled Canada and its citizens over a number of issues – including his repeated references to it being the ’51st state.’
Canadian rock musician Matthew Good has canceled a slate of upcoming shows in the United States due to policies promoted by President Donald Trump
Good was persuaded to cancel the shows after Canada Prime Minister Mark Carney called off a digital services tax against the U.S. to ‘appease’ Trump
A number of X users slammed Good for the move, with one user saying that the political reasoning was ‘likely an excuse due to lack of interest.’
Another user joked: ‘Those poor Americans. How will they ever get over this one?’ with a broken heart emoji.
One X user said in response that Good was ‘only hurting himself and the people who work for the band financially’ with the move, adding that ‘Americans wont notice one way or the other.’
Said one user: ‘One was a 400 seat brew pub. His date was sandwiched between trivia night and a cover band. He wasn’t doing a Las Vegas residency.’
Good said on the social media site that he was persuaded to cancel the shows after Canada Prime Minister Mark Carney called off a digital services tax against the U.S. to ‘appease’ Trump.
‘This was approximately 2 billion dollars in revenue that has been accumulating, and we’re walking away from that,’ Good said.
Good added that between ‘the massive increase in visa costs, the fear mongering that even after we have our visas, we may still be denied entry if we have something negative to say about the current GOP, and I end up in a situation where I’m biting my tongue, and losing what credibility I had to stand up and say something. ‘
Good said that the current political climate made it clear he had to do something to show where he stood.
A number of X users slammed Good for the move, with one user saying that the political reasoning was ‘likely an excuse due to lack of interest’
‘I can’t stand by and be quiet while our amazing country is bullied into walking away from billions in needed revenue, constantly left wondering if we actually have a partner or an enemy to the south.’
He said that ‘equally as tragic’ would be ‘supporting someone who has completely bastardized the institution of art and culture in the US.’
Good said that it would be ‘unfair’ to try and recruit ‘other artists to join’ him in the political protest, as he planned to center his musical career out of his native Canada for the foreseeable future.
‘I have built a career here in Canada that I’m proud of, and will double down here over the next 3 years, and invite my US fans to any show they want to here,’ Good said.
Good said Trump’s U.S.-Canada relations have caused him to cease touring in the states
Good said that fans of his should mobilize their support for the musical group Texas King, which ‘might suffer more out of this’ on a business level.
‘So as a favour, we encourage you to get out and support them wherever you can!’ Good said.
Good, who canceled dates in protest of Trump’s policies, said that his ‘world has always focused on political awareness.’
He added ‘I know that you might not all be on the same side, so I want to be clear about this. It’s MY opinion.’
During the 1990s and early 2000s, Good served as the lead vocalist and songwriter for the Matthew Good Band, one of Canada’s most prominent alternative rock groups. They released albums including Underdogs and Beautiful Midnight.
After the band broke up in 2002, Good embarked on a solo career.
His notable albums include Avalanche, where he worked with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, and the politically-charged White Light Rock and Roll Review.
Throughout his music career Good has been nominated for 21 Juno Awards – Canada’s equivalent of the Grammy Awards – and has won four.
