Mumford and Sons to Donate N.C. Concert Proceeds to Charity

The band Mumford and Sons, an acoustic group best known for their hit song "I Will Wait," announced on Facebook that proceeds from their sold-out Thursday night show in Charlotte would be donated to a new fund intended to support various charities. A portion of the money will be donated to a local LGBT organization.

Marcus Mumford, the lead singer, said during the show, "We respect the choices those other bands have made, but that wasn't the right choice for us," reports The Charlotte Observer.

The band closed their set with "I'm on Fire" by Bruce Springsteen. Like many others, Springsteen canceled a North Carolina concert following the passage of House Bill 2, a law that voids all local LGBT-inclusive anttdiscrimination ordinances in the state and denies transgender people the right to use public restrooms and locker rooms in government buildings that correspond with their gender identity.

"I think that we've sort of been feeling an underlying culture of fear that's creeping into things, where we live and where you guys are," Mumford said at the show. "And we just want to stand and celebrate really the American values of justice and love. So we're gonna have a justice and love festival with you tonight."

On Facebook, Charlotte-based fans of the group thanked the band for not canceling the show, explaining that they did not support the actions of the state government. Before the passage of HB 2, Charlotte passed an LGBT-inclusive antidiscrimination ordinance covering public accommodations. That ordinance led state legislators to pass HB 2.

Still, some critics on Facebook disagreed with the band's move, saying that nothing short of economic sanctions would force politicians to reverse course and rescind the law. The law has already caused the state to lose jobs, visitors, and business.