Portugal. the Man — a rock band who has already drawn the ire of certain barrel-chested right-wing firebrand — have announced via Facebook that they will be donating all of the funds from their upcoming Charlottesville, VA show to the Heal Charlottesville Fund. The fund is a part of the Charlottesville Area Community Foundation. The show is scheduled for August 21, 2017 at the Sprint Pavilion.
As everyone knows by now, this midsize city in Virginia was the site of clashes between white nationalist groups like the self-proclaimed alt-right, KKK and Nazi sympathizers who flocked from across the country and counter-protesters — most of the latter being from the city, which is home to the University of Virginia. The clashing came to a head when a right-wing protester drove his Dodge Challenger into a crowd of counter-protesters, leaving several injured — local Heather Heyer was murdered in the terrorist attack.
As the community tries to pick up the pieces after this tidal wave of far-right extremism recedes from whence it came, the support from the musical community is a small bit of solace.
Unlike it has been for most citizens of Charlottesville, the last few weeks have been quite good for Portugal. the Man. “Feel It Still” from their new album Woodstock is quietly on its way to being one of the summer’s big crossover hits, climbing its way up the Billboard Hot 100 charts. Not only is the record a commercial success, it’s also a critical darling, earning the band praise — including from this publication, which deemed the LP worthy of our High Fidelity designation.
Photo Credit: Kalyn Oyer
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