BY MORGAN STEIN

Imagine your favorite band is playing in the city and you can’t wait to go see them. Excitedly, you scramble to your computer to buy tickets only to find out that the concert has an age limit.

This has happened to me countless times and I’m sure many other high school students can relate. Tons of venues have specified age restrictions for safety reasons at their shows. Although I understand that safety is important, there are many simple, reasonable things to do to make concerts enjoyable and available for everyone.

First of all, not every concert has to involve drinking and drugs. Many outdoor shows have wristband systems that seem to be quite successful. They work like this: you can only be served alcohol if you have a wristband and can only get a wristband if you’re over the age of 21. This method is simple and also very effective; it’s not terribly inconvenient and it enables people of all ages to attend shows with bars.

By setting an age limit on shows, venues are simply limiting fans from attending the concerts they would like to see (therefore limiting the profit they will make). Everyone should be able to attend concerts, regardless of age. Obviously there are some environments that are appropriate for young people and some that are not. However, we are high school students. We are more than capable of going to a concert and behaving responsibly. It seems a shame that people can’t always enjoy live music because of their age.

The more welcoming environments there are for teenagers, the less trouble they will get into. Sometimes it seems like there is a lack of safe activities available for our age group. Opening up venues for all ages, or creating venues where no drinking is available at all, would allow for a positive experience for everybody involved. No adults or people over the age of 21 are going to be disturbed if teenagers are enjoying the live music along with them. The band won’t be upset, because the reason that they make music is for everybody to enjoy it. Teenagers will have more places to go and more things to do (not to mention the fact that it’s a total bummer to miss your favorite band when they’re in town).