Who’s in control?
Went to a show last night at the Wonder Ballroom. I was really excited to see the Dandy Warhols there because the last show we saw there of them was truly a work of art. Also, the Wonder had been setup split down the middle with one side all ages and the other side for the bar. Equality reigned. Last night, equality did not reign even though it was a great show. See, the bar area was cut off from the stage by about 20 ft, so the all ages portion could be right up to the stage. I have a problem with this as I feel the venue is making way more money as a result of alcohol sales, yet we’re relegated to the back. This is the same for the Roseland and the Crystal Ballroom. If you want to have a drink, don’t expect to see the show. Yes, I could always stand in the all ages section which I have in the past, but I actually don’t like being crowd surfed by 10yr olds (which did happen at the Roseland.) I guess I am asking who decides this? OLCC? Venue? Band? I just hope this was a one time occurrence because I love the Wonder and until now it had been equal for all. People over 21 like to see the band up close also.
BTW, the Dandy’s were tight and are heading off to Europe to open for the Rolling Stones. Good luck!
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I could be mistaken but I do believe the it is the OLCC that makes those determinations. I have not been in that situation myself but the thought of being forced into the all ages section makes me shudder.
On a more positive note, damn you for being able to see the Dandy Warhols. I totally did not hear that they were in Portland. Old age is upon me I guess.
I’ve never seen the 21+ area at Wonder go all the way to the stage, so I’m guessing it was a one-night anomaly.
are you there for the music or the alcohol?
You should have gone to the CD release party for Portland’s own Hillstomp over at Dantes. fawking amazing show.
http://www.hillstomp.com/
Chris, that is kind of a dumb question. I’m trying to figure out what you are actually asking. I will answer - the show. But you obviously weren’t just asking that. The point of my post is that I feel people over 21 who chose to grab a beer are relegated to the back of the venue when they are the ones who make the venue the most money. I am thinking pure economics. Also, like I said, I have spent time on the other side and don’t really enjoy the little kid crow surfing that happens at some of the shows I attend.
The Wonder did the same setup at the Drive By Truckers show last month. I had one beer and then had to stake out my spot up close. Like the last time I saw them and Son Volt at the Roseland, I think there may have been a half dozen people there who weren’t of age. The angry sixteen year old in me would kick my ass for saying this, but why not more 21+ shows? Especially for bands like the Dandys and DBT that have older fan bases?
Why not just shove the kids to the back? Because you can drink anywhere you want but they have limited entertainment options. If you really need a drink to enjoy a show, then don’t go to all-ages shows, it’s as simple as that.
I think it’s more the WAY that they arrange the split than the fact that it’s all ages. I haven’t seen that done at Wonder - but I know at the Crystal Ballroom the divider is simply a row of ropes - double wide with an aisle down the middle for security to patrol and I guess make sure no one passes a beer to a kid. Years ago when I saw all ages shows there, that divider went down from the middle of the stage down to the back of the room. So both the 21+ and the kids could have a change to get a front row spot.
Now they arrange it so that the rope cuts the room front to back so that again - its only the all ages folks that can get in the front. And believe me, when I go to shows at the Crystal it’s not all about drinking - they’re way to overpriced for that - but if I do want one I should be able to have it without having to go to the back of the room.
It’s too bad they’re changing the Wonder that route as well. I do wonder who’s decision that is since both venues have made that change. Although the Crystal’s been doing it that way for several years now.
Zee, you are insinuating that all I want to do when I pay money to see bands is drink. That is not the case. Yes, I do have a beer or a cocktail, but the purpose isn’t to drink, but to see the show. Most of the time, I do only go to venues that are 21+, but a few of my favorite bands only play the all-ages shows like Saturday night.
A year or so ago when we saw BRMC at the wonder, the room was split in two evenly. Last winter when we saw the Dandy’s, same thing. On Saturday night, it was different and I felt a little pushed back in favor of the under 21 crowd.
dieselboi - it wasn’t really a question and thanks for calling me “dumb”.
Drink your drink in the back so you don’t spill it on the people,floor and equipment. I don’t know if you have noticed, but things get tight up by the stage. There is nothing worse than a drunk holding a drink in the middle of a dance floor.
Cheers!
Chris, apologies for calling you dumb, not my intention. I read your comment as a snarky reply to my post, so reacted accordingly.
A) Portland doesn’t dance
B) Portland doesn’t move during shows
C) Portland doesn’t dance
Seriously, most of the shows we go to have very little movement amongst the crowd. I rarely see people spilling drinks or even drunk.