Tending bar through the live music shutdown news gave me a new view

So the big story last month was the city shutting down several music venues for noise, and the news made it sound like a simple rule break. But from my job at the dive bar, I heard musicians and owners say it's really about pushing out small spots for fancy new buildings. We lost our weekly jazz night because the fines were too high, and the regulars are pissed. The headlines focused on a couple of loud places, but didn't mention how some areas never get checked. I've served cops who admit off duty that it's about cleaning up for developers, not the noise. It's wild how the full story gets missed when you're not in the thick of it. Seeing the community vibe fade because of this half told news really hits different.

3 comments

3 Comments

susan3613d ago

Reading your post, I have to laugh at myself for believing the noise story. My old ears probably wouldn't notice the quiet anyway.

mason_reed473d ago

Used to buy the noise complaint angle hook, line, and sinker. Figured it was just bad neighbors or too loud bands. Your post shows it's really about money pushing out the little guys. Makes you wonder how often the real story gets buried. Now I see why locals are so angry about losing their spots. It changes how I see all those clean-up-the-city news stories.

amy_coleman3d ago

Could be that noise complaints are legitimate and not always a plot against small businesses.