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NewsAlert: Junos cancel Hedley performance in wake of sexual misconduct claims

TORONTO — The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences says Hedley will no longer perform at this year’s Juno Awards.
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Hedley will no longer perform at this year’s Juno Awards following allegations of sexual misconduct posted on social media in recent days. (Photo by The Canadian Press)

TORONTO — The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences says Hedley will no longer perform at this year’s Juno Awards.

A statement says the decision was reached with the band following allegations of sexual misconduct were posted on social media in recent days.

Some social media users had called for the Junos to drop the band from the upcoming show.

Hedley released a separate statement on Wednesday calling the allegations involving young fans ”unsubstantiated.”

The Vancouver band’s statement says “there was a time, in the past” when they engaged in “a lifestyle that incorporated certain rock ‘n’ roll cliches.”

However, the group says “there was always a line that we would never cross.”

The group, fronted by Jacob Hoggard and including Dave Rosin, Tommy Mac and Jay Benison, is up for three awards at this year’s Junos and are scheduled to perform.

The statement says the band, which is currently on tour in Canada, “will be evaluating some of our next steps.”

“We appreciate the bravery of those who have come forward with their own stories, and we realize that all of us, as individuals and as a society, can and must do better when it comes to this issue,” reads the statement.

“However, if we are to have a meaningful, open and honest discussion, we all have to accept and respect that there are at least two sides to every story. The recent allegations against us posted on social media are simply unsubstantiated and have not been validated. We would hope that people will bear-in-mind the context in which these unsupported accusations have been made before passing judgment on us as individuals or as a band.”