Editorial: The kids are all right

You don’t have to be of drinking age to enjoy live music–and it’s about time that Oregon’s laws reflect that.

The recent changes enacted by the Oregon Liquor Control Commission are a step in the right direction toward making a stronger music community. Easing the rules on venues by allowing more underage participants will help grow and maintain Portland’s vibrant live-music circuit, ushering in new fans and fresh perspectives.

These rule changes do not put an end to exclusively 21-plus shows, which are necessary to maintain the culture of many venues. But the changes do allow shows that have a wide audience to be more successful. And that’s good. For everyone.

It’s a fact that teenagers will get access to alcohol whether or not they’re allowed to see live music. The previous draconian rules did nothing but quash a positive aspect of youth–the ability for young musicians to play shows and young fans to enjoy live music.

Now, it’s also a fact that underage concertgoers can be an annoyance. And these rule changes will likely bring just a bit of extra irritation into the standard live-music experience. But let’s not kid ourselves. Idiots come in all shapes, sizes and ages, and the positives of the OLCC’s amendments far outweigh the very minor negatives.

If simple changes to rules can foster creative involvement in our community, then they must be made. That’s what happened here.

To the OLCC: good job. It’s nice to see a government agency take positive steps for youth culture. The kids are, indeed, all right.