“I’m celebrating 3 years free of alcohol today by announcing my 1st show back in a long time!” Minneapolis singer-songwriter Sean “Har Mar Superstar" Tillmann announced Saturday via Twitter.
The “fun, intimate, full band” concert was slated for July 15 at PNA Hall in northeast Minneapolis, and it would’ve marked Tillmann’s return to performing following multiple reports of sexual misconduct that emerged one year ago. Click here to read Jenna Ross and Chris Riemenschneider's definitive account in the Star Tribune; Tillmann’s apology to “anyone who feels I've hurt them" has since been deleted from his Twitter account.
Curiously, the website selling Har Mar tickets now claims the July 15 show is moving to a larger, TBA venue because of “OUTSTANDING” ticket demand, and the opening act is also listed as TBA. Yet a spokesperson with PNA Hall tells Racket that the show was, indeed, “canceled” late Saturday due to the volume of community concerns voiced over Tillmann’s allegedly abusive past.
Seeking clarity, we reached out to Tillmann’s PR reps asking whether the concert was canceled over past abuse allegations or whether it was, in fact, being redirected to a larger venue. The July 15 show is “moving to a bigger venue in Minneapolis since 2/3 of the capacity sold in the first 24 hours,” Kip Kouri of Tell All Your Friends PR tells us. “Tickets remain on sale, and the venue will be announced on June 27. Thank you for promoting the show.”
(To be clear: That's not what we're doing here.)
Back on Twitter, noted concertgoer Kyle Matteson joked Monday that the new venue pivot was “a complete lie,” to which Tillmann responded, “Sit down, Kyle.” Publicist Lisa Braun Dubbels described the saga as a "masterclass in how not to handle a PR crisis," to which Tillman offered a sarcastic "Thank you." Andrea Swensson, formerly of City Pages and 89.3 the Current, offered even more advice:
Sean, read the room. The announcement and drama around this show is causing widespread pain and distress. I'm sure you'll block me as well, but I'd suggest you sit down, take a beat, and think about what you're doing here.
— Andrea Swensson (@SlingshotAnnie) April 18, 2022
Following the Tillmann sexual misconduct scandal, First Avenue removed his painted star from the concert hall's famous exterior, so we can probably rule that space out for July 15. But, as Louis C.K. packs comedy clubs and wins Grammys in the wake of similar allegations, it's clear there's a market for recently disgraced entertainers. Where and when Tillmann taps into that market remains unclear.
