The Kids Are All Right But They Need Rules
Ten standards for making the scene and performing shows
By William Harries Graham, 2:47PM, Tue. Oct. 9, 2012
Listen up! I don't mean to get all Moses on you, but it turns out that rules must be drawn up and adhered to for All Ages, U21, and U18 shows. We want more clubs hosting U21 shows, therefore we can not be pains in their arses. Here's the 10 commandments of live music comportment.
(1) ENTHUSIASM
The most important rule of all: Have fun!
(2) PATRONAGE
Buy stuff. Don't be a tap-water-drinking, non-tipping U21 mannequin. Tip the bands if it's a free show. Tip the servers whether you order a soda or water. They do the work regardless of whether you tip or not. Be a good patron.
(3) HUMILITYBe a comrade. Avoid competition. Avoid division.
(4) COURTESY
Be respectful of the bands. Pay attention when they play, stop chatting, stop texting, consider turning off the rectangle altogether. Be respectful of your peers. Be respectful of those younger than you and of those older than you.
And now the hefty rules:
(5) INTEGRITY
Your actions have repercussions. Do not, under any circumstances, attempt to drink alcohol or do drugs at the show. If you do, you give pause to every club owner and restaurant that considers or allows All Ages, U21, and U18 shows. Most clubs won't even risk it. Don't blow it for the rest of us.
(6) TRUSTWORTHINESS
Are you barmy? Do not attempt to steal from the club. Do not steal money, guitars, mics, cups, alcohol. Don't even steal a guitar pick. Okay, you can keep the pick you find on the floor.
(7) AWARENESS
Understand rules five and six thoroughly for these reasons: A) You could wind up in juvie or jail. B) You can be banned from all U21 shows. C) The establishment in which you're breaking the law can be shut down forever or fined.
(8) FRIENDSHIP
Do not make your friends babysit you. And do not put your friends in a position of being taunted if they attempt to call you out in your illegal activity. We don't talk about it enough. If you get busted, they can get busted, too. Be a friend, not a liability.
(9) ACCOUNTABILITY
You know what the right thing to do is, so do it. Have fun, just at not at anyone else's expense.
(10) CITIZENSHIP
Live by the rules. Spread the word of the rules. And then maybe more clubs will open up to U21 here in the Live Music Capital of the World.
A note to readers: Bold and uncensored, The Austin Chronicle has been Austin’s independent news source for over 40 years, expressing the community’s political and environmental concerns and supporting its active cultural scene. Now more than ever, we need your support to continue supplying Austin with independent, free press. If real news is important to you, please consider making a donation of $5, $10 or whatever you can afford, to help keep our journalism on stands.
Dec. 21, 2018
Dec. 22, 2017
U18, Moses, 10 Commandments, Live Music Capital of the World
