Hayley Williamshas declared that racist,sexistand anti-trans people are “not welcome” at her upcoming solo tour.
TheParamorefrontwomanannounced a run of dates earlier this month, and within daysshe extended the tourdue to “overwhelming demand”.The shows kick off in Atlanta on March 27 andincludedates in London, Manchester,Glasgowand Dublin in June. Seeall the infohereand find any remaining ticketshere.
Now, she has given an interview toClashin which she has clearlystatedthat she intends the tour to be entirely inclusive, saying she wants everybody to “feel welcome to theparty”.
“I don’t want racists around, and I don’t want sexist people around, and I don’t want people there who think that trans people are a burden,” Williams told the publication.
“I thinkthat’sa hard line for me now. I hope it naturally happens that people who doharbourthose harmful ideologiesaren’tgoing to feel welcome, becausethey’regoing to walk in the door andrealisethat the gang’s all here, all banded together around something positive,” she continued. “All are welcome if you believe all should be welcome… Ifyoudon’tbelieve that, you’re not welcome!”
Williams is a long-standing campaigner on these subjects,openlycriticisingthe Tennessee Republican leadershiplast yearafterturningdown an official StateHonour. “The blatant racism of our state leadership is embarrassing and cruel,” she said. “Myself, as well as Paramore, will continue to encourage young people to show up to vote with equality in mind.”
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She also said in 2022 thatshedoesn’tplay guitar on stage due to the likelihood of sexist comments.“Idon’teven dare, because I love to playguitarbut Idon’tknow if I could handle… man. I feel yousohard,” she said in a joint interview withWet Leg.
“I just hate that people even need to point it out,” she said. “Idon’teven really think about my gender atall, whenwe playthe musicespecially.It’sjust not part of the picture.”
In 2023,she hit out at sexist “internet bros”after she wascriticisedfor postponing a run of Paramore shows due to illness.“Don’tthink for a second your fav bands – metal or punk or otherwise – endorse your weird incel ass lifestyle,” she said.
Next year’stour is in support ofWilliams’latest solo album ‘Ego Death At A Bachelorette Party’, which was released digitally in August and has nowearned four Grammy nominations, including Best Alternative Music Album.
Inaglowing five-star review ofthe record,NMEwrote: “As withalmost everyera of Hayley Williams’ career, this new release has come withquestions about the future of Paramore. The determined lyrics on the tender ‘I Won’t Quit On You’ should be all the reassurance worried fans need, but if that’s not enough, there’s plenty in this brilliant, swaggering new chapter to be excited about.
“These songs might be about missed second chances, but Williams is certainly making the most of hers.”