Tailgaiting Banned At PNC Bank Arts Center

Update 5/2 6:30 a.m. PT: In a weird twist to the story, Holmdel Administrator Donna Vieira told CBS 880, “this ordinance has nothing to do with tailgating.” Vieira claims the ordinance refers to non-concert events in the venue’s parking lot. “They had an event that started at 6 a.m., and they had a DJ go on a Saturday morning at 6 a.m. Our residents were getting music blared at them,” Vieira said about Live Nation. Meanwhile, Live Nation still hasn’t commented about the situation.

Tailgaiting before summer shows is a tradition familiar to many live music fans, especially at the bigger sheds located across the country. Those looking to tailgate at summer shows held at PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, NJ won’t be able to as the New Jersey town has banned the activity at venues holding over 4,000 patrons. Considering the PNC Bank Arts Center is the only venue in Holmdel that holds over 4,000, the new law was aimed at the amphitheater.

The town’s mayor doesn’t dispute the law’s aim at the Arts Center, “This quite honestly deals with the PNC Bank Arts Center. They run ancillary events that disturb our residents and we are passing this ordinance to stop that,” Patrick Impreveduto told NJ.com. He went on to tell the site that “local police and emergency personnel were being strained by the concert crowds at the amphitheater.”

According to Cat Country, the ordinance is worded so that parking is the only activity allowed in the Arts Center lots. The venue’s operator, Live Nation, will be held responsible for those ignoring the ban. The Dave Matthews Band, Journey, the Zac Brown Band, O.A.R. and Motley Crue are among the bands set to play PNC Bank Arts Center this summer.

[via NJ.com]