Long before I spent most of my waking hours at Rolling Stone, I spent my teenage summers working at a large amphitheatre in New Jersey. While my peers were serving greasy chicken fingers at the concession stands and ripping ticket stubs at the front gate I was lucky enough to work backstage. Working there, I was assigned some really bizarre tasks like helping Britney Spears' assistant track down a nail salon in central Jersey that would cater to Brit's gel acrylic manicure habit (it's harder than you think) and picking blue M&Ms out of a bowl for a band I won't mention (I swear I did this). And while I missed out on the experience of actually attending a show as a patron, I thought I'd seen and heard it all at PNC. Until now, that is.
Last week it was announced that LiveNation (the promoter who books the venue) would be banning tailgating at specific shows: John Mayer, O.A.R., 311 with Snoop Dogg, a WKTU Radio Show and Linkin Park's Projekt Revolution. This action is in response to an incident last summer where 2 concertgoers overdosed and died and another 83 were arrested at an Ozzfest concert for drug and alcohol possession. I guess I can understand why they chose Linkin Park. But John Mayer? Are they scared of sorority girls getting too rowdy? In a summer line up that includes Mötley Crüe, the Allman Brothers and Judas Priest it's surprising which artists are targeted and which aren't.
I understand they are trying to crack down on underage drinking and illegal drug possession but if someone wants to drink or partake in other activities, a ban on tailgating is not going to stop them. They can easily do either before going to the show. This seems like several drunk driving accidents waiting to happen since the PNC Bank Arts Center is located on one of the largest major highways in the state. There has to be a better solution to this. Perhaps reserving specific sections in the parking lot for 21 and over tailgating? Or are they just trying to increase the money spent inside the theater? The majority of ticket sale revenue and merchandise goes to the artist. The one place revenue directly goes back to the promoter and venue is in the concessions (i.e. beer). So is LiveNation trying to make more money or are they looking out for their patrons?
Probably a little bit of both, but I have a feeling they are primarily concerned with the liabilities they face for death, injuries or property damage. People always say if you leave a place and then come back it's quite never the same. I have a feeling that statement holds true to my old summer home, PNC.
[Photo: Getty]
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Happy Butt | October 15, 2009 10:29 AM
I think LIVE NATION owning every venue in America is ruining all our concert experiences with this horrible monopoly. Just saw Allman/widespread in Charlotte...beers cost $11, water is $4 and they were warm and ran out before set break on 1st night. Not professional at all, plus waaaay over-charging..it's a rip-off, but what can we do? They were even searching IN people's wallets and held up a couple thousand people outside the gate with their over-searching (thought they were lookin for glass and weapons)as the show startted. Getting very uncool anymore to be at these venues. By the way...the cops just rolled by the nitrose dealers all night and all their balloons you can see for miles, why do they let that negative drug (hippy crack) take over, but you couldn't find a cold beer in the parking lot after the show. Probably on the take from the nitrose dealers, cuz they make BIG MONEY and are draining the good vibe right out of the parking lot.
Shannon | January 22, 2009 6:37 PM
It is horseshit that there is no mention of the famous beer "runners" in this review. The runners would come up with a solution to get hammered regardless of the rules...I think an alumni board of the greatest runners in Arts Center history should be established to fix this beer ban.
OGDEN 1997-2000 for life!
And Alison, how dare you refer to the "GSAC" as "PNC"...
frank | August 17, 2008 2:28 PM
I have to say that I was at the Allman Brothers show on Friday Aug 15th. It was a terrible site. I don't see any success on controlling the drinking or drug use there. Most people which probrably would have driven home too were completely wasted and drunk and obnoxious and rowdy. I left early and will never go to another concert there again. Again I must stress, they are not controlling anything at all there. People were pissing right out in public on the walk from the parking lot before the show even began, I see many further problems to come for pnc.
C | May 28, 2008 6:11 PM
Wow whoever wrote this should get a promotion/raise!
Mike Rossi | May 1, 2008 11:55 PM
The shows which live nation targeted for the ban on tailgating amounts to age discrimination. I don;t know who is going to show up for shows you can't tailgate for. I also feel that this action punishes all for the actions of few. I'll see which other locations beat stock is located at. I understand that live nation is trying to increase the amount of money spent inside the park but as machined before Beer sales will actually decrease the ones buying beer in the park are the people drinking it in the parking lot
109 | May 1, 2008 9:18 PM
pnc has been killed. it has turned into a police state because of this.
DEDGE | April 30, 2008 2:12 PM
THIS HAS TO BE A JOKE RIGHT?
David | April 29, 2008 3:34 PM
The tailgating ban is ridiculous and targets the WRONG people. You're gonna ban it for 311 and John Mayer, but yet not ban it for the Metal Bands? Are you out of your mind??
Johnny | April 29, 2008 2:47 PM
Honestly, lack of tailgating opportunities has yet to stop me from partaking in drugs and/or alcohol at shows. I'm peaceful and haven't started a fight or been involved in one ever, nor do I cause any other kind of trouble. I'm of legal drinking age and moderate my alcohol intake cause quiet honestly, it's more fun to just do some drugs at a show cause there is no chance of being caught unless you're a moron. I don't abuse drugs in any way, I just happen to think it's a really fun and unique way to experience a show.
Disclaimer: I would not recommend doing any of the above mentioned ideas at any pop, country, or Mylie Cyrus shows.
Jay | April 29, 2008 12:04 PM
Tailgating is at least half or depending on the show more than half the concert experience. Beer sales will actually decrease the ones buying beer are the people partying all day. Saw one show at PNC and now that will be the last.