The Kids Are Alright

Bostonist was dismayed last Thursday night to see first-hand the effects of the temporary underage concert attendance ban limitations implemented by the Mayor’s Office of Consumer Affairs and Licensing (MOCAL). A couple of WERS staff members were barred from tabling (read: handing out pens and stickers) the Chad Perrone/Mieka Pauley concert at Harper’s Ferry – a show that the station had been promoting – because those staffers were underage.

Bostonist understands that the Harper’s crew’s hands were tied – under the present policy, shows that extend beyond 11 p.m. must be kept 21-plus – but is incapable of relating to MOCAL’s out-of-touch approach to what the Globe described last month as a “rash of violence” at those clubs on 18-plus nights.

The Phoenix last week outlined the reaction from local venues and would-be patrons faced with the continuation of MOCAL’s new tough-on-crime venture. Even City Councillor Michael Ross, whose district includes club-happy Lansdowne Street, told the Phoenix that he was concerned about the potential displacement of activity into residential areas.

MOCAL director Patricia Malone has been receiving angry phone calls and emails from an unhappy scene. Boston musicians are using MySpace as a platform to encourage fans to speak out against the measure. Three-quarters of Boston's student population – an audience demographic known for passionate involvement and championing of music – are left without the means to see the wide range of talent that performs within Boston City Limits on any given night.

Most importantly, common sense reminds us that it’s more likely to see an of-age patron getting belligerent after a few too many drinks than one sees the tragic but largely uncommon stabbing of Avalon bouncer Craig Viera in November. Perhaps Malone should check in with venue security staffs to see who is a bigger problem during events – those with or without the right to imbibe in alcohol.

Here’s what MOCAL should expect to see if Malone’s policy doesn’t come to an end quickly: musicians falter in a traditionally supportive city. Venues lose on ticket sales or are forced to adapt Avalon-like concert/club nights (an idea that loses something at, say, the Paradise). Underage folks, without a show to attend, turn instead to house concerts and imbibe in more underage drinking, which in turn requires more police presence and headaches for everyone involved.

Brilliant.

Post contributed by Victoria Welch. Picture of Mieka Pauley at Harper's Ferry taken by Victoria Welch.