The mayor of Allentown is “rolling out the red carpet” to have the band Low Cut Connie perform in his city after the group’s performance at Friday’s Rockin’ the River event in Wilkes-Barre was canceled.
After the lead singer of Low Cut Connie, Adam Weiner, posted a video on social media this week about the cancellation of his show over his politics, Allentown Mayor Matt Tuerk reached out to him.
Now, they are in negotiations to have Low Cut Connie perform in Allentown.
“I love the band. We are trying to figure out how to get him booked here for a concert in Allentown,” Tuerk said.
Allentown Mayor Matthew Tuerk (Submitted)
Organizers of Rockin’ the River, a free concert series in July along the Susquehanna River in Wilkes-Barre, in April announced Low Cut Connie as the headlining act of the final night of the series this Friday. About six weeks ago, county officials notified the band their performance was canceled and another group would take its place.
In his video, Weiner claimed the band was canceled for “political” reasons but wasn’t given specifics.
Luzerne County Manager Romilda Crocamo, who made the final decision over the cancellation, initially said organizers were trying to keep in the tradition of Rockin’ the River events being family friendly and “free of politics and propaganda.”
Weiner acknowledged he unapologetically promotes diversity and inclusion at his shows and is outspoken about raids conducted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, calling them “inhumane and anti-American.” A little over a month after being announced as the headline act for the July 25 Rockin’ the River show, Low Cut Connie released a song “Livin’ in America,” seen as a protest song against President Donald Trump.
Rockin’ the River is organized by the county’s Visit Luzerne County tourism bureau and the Riverfront Parks Committee.
Tuerk said Allentown has a similar event, ArtsQuest’s Friday Concerts at Union Terrace Amphitheater, and he’s hoping to have Low Cut Connie perform one night.
City officials and Low Cut Connie’s booking agents are in talks, Tuerk said.
“I’m offering an open invitation for Low Cut Connie. I’m rolling out the red carpet,” Tuerk said. “We don’t discriminate against bands for whatever political views they might have.”