A scheduled Friday night performance by Quebec singer-songwriter Bernard Adamus in the Bas-Saint-Laurent region was canceled Thursday following notable backlash regarding previous allegations of misconduct. The cancellation, announced by concert promoter Diffusion 3P, comes amid a broader conversation about accountability for artists facing misconduct claims and the challenges of balancing artistic expression with public safety concerns. Diffusion 3P acknowledged receiving widespread criticism on social media, citing concerns about rape culture and respect for victims.
A performance by Bernard Adamus scheduled for Friday night in the Bas-Saint-Laurent region of Quebec has been canceled following a wave of criticism on social media regarding past allegations of misconduct.
Publié à
Mis à jour à
The concert promoter, Diffusion 3P, acknowledged the public outcry following the announcement of the show. “We have heard the anger and discomfort expressed since the announcement of Bernard Adamus’s performance. Many of you are talking about rape culture, a lack of respect for victims, and contempt for the community. We take these messages very seriously,” Diffusion 3P stated in a Facebook post on Wednesday afternoon. The cancellation was announced Thursday, just before the scheduled performance.
Diffusion 3P operates Cabaret La Riveraine, a small 100-seat venue in Notre-Dame-des-Neiges, near Trois-Pistoles, where Adamus was slated to perform. According to Diffusion 3P’s publicist, Olivier Simard, the performance had been booked for several weeks and nearly all tickets had been sold.
The initial announcement of the concert earlier this month sparked numerous negative comments online. This isn’t the first time Diffusion 3P has faced criticism for its artist choices; the organization was previously scrutinized for hosting a performance by Kevin Parent, another artist who has faced allegations of misconduct, during a national holiday celebration.
“Other squabbles”
Adamus himself addressed the situation on social media, accusing the promoter of “rather poorly managing” the situation and citing “more than inappropriate comments on social networks” directed at those criticizing his appearance. The controversy highlights the ongoing sensitivity surrounding artists facing misconduct allegations and the challenges of navigating public perception.
In an interview with La Presse, Adamus said he had considered canceling his appearance, but the promoter made the decision before he could. The singer stated he understands the discomfort his return to the stage might cause, but believes the criticism directed at the promoter exceeded the issue of his own performance.
“I believe I served as a scapegoat for other squabbles that are happening there. I didn’t want to be associated with that,” he explained. He added that, to his knowledge, this is the first time a concert of his has generated such a strong reaction since his return to performing two years ago.
“It’s very rare for this to happen. I know my presence isn’t unanimous. But I think people who have followed me in recent years understand my approach,” he continued.
Humble Return
Adamus has acknowledged past misconduct. In 2020, his record label dropped him in the wake of an online movement where numerous public figures were accused of wrongdoing.
“I often went overboard, too much, and too often. In truth, I don’t know exactly where to begin other than to be as humble as possible and admit that I often exaggerated, that sex and alcohol have too often mixed in my very tumultuous life over the past 10 years in the music industry here,” he wrote in an apology at the time.
The singer-songwriter subsequently stepped away from the public eye before gradually resuming his career, performing in smaller venues outside major cities. Adamus recently gave his first interview in five years to Marie-France Bazzo for the documentary Le grand retour des annulés (The Big Return of the Canceled), which aired on Télé-Québec earlier this month.
