Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Crickets / Music House of Blues Security on the Rampage
Posted by Miles Raymer on Wed, Oct 14, 2009 at 3:34 PM
I've left a fair number of shows at Chicago's House of Blues after hassles from security guards ruined my night. I've been turned away from shows before I could even get in, based on rules that seem to vary wildly from night to night and guard to guard (at Santogold last September women were being let in with bags but men weren't). Having wasted more than enough time in transit to and from shows I ended up missing while dealing with security, a lot of times I don't bother making the trip.
But at least I've never been physically assaulted by one of the guards (video).
A follow-up post by photographers' rights blogger Carlos Miller contains what claims to be eyewitness testimony saying that the incident, which happened Monday night and involved a security guard and a woman in the driveway area where acts load in and out of the venue. The woman appears to believe the guard took her camera because he thought she was photographing him (though there's nothing illegal about taking pictures in public), and apparently he considered pushing her to the ground an appropriate response when she tried to get it back.
Live Nation confirms the time and place of the confrontation, and that the man doing the pushing is a security guard at the venue. A statement that regional music VP Scott Gelman sent me reads, in its entirety, "An incident occurred on Monday night outside House of Blues involving an individual and a security guard. We take our responsibility to maintain the safety of both our patrons and the artists who play at the House of Blues very seriously. We are looking into the incident and will cooperate fully with the authorities."
The Sun-Times reports that the guard has been arrested on a misdemeanor battery charge. Maybe any security reform the House of Blues institutes should include as one of its goals making sure patrons don't leave swearing it's the last time they'll ever set foot in the place.
Showing 1-5 of 5
Security at the HOB in Chicago Is very good...if the purpose of the HOB is to ward off business. True, crowds get rowdy and drunk, and drunken white girls after a Hanson concert can be filled with much pent up aggresion. But beating them up for reliving their teenage wet dreams?
I do love the sound of a homeless fellow trying to sooth the nerveds of both parties involved, Go Mookie!
They've warded off my business. I chose to drive to Des Moines this summer to see one of my favorite acts rather than hassle with their crap.
Considering he took her camera: how is it he hasn't (yet?) been charged with robbery, too?
Let me just join in the chorus. The HOB is not a bad venue. Heck, I'll even begrudgingly pay way too much for beer if there's some great rock in it for me, but the security there is a out of control. I had a $10 keychain camera taken from me because there's no photography allowed. Unless you're taking pictures with your phone, then it's OK. The last time I was there, I got a wristband which allowed me to purchase drinks, but I still had my ID checked every single time I visited the bar. Why bother with wristbands if you're gonna do that?
It's a damn shame, because the HOB seems to get all the good metal shows.
I too had an absolutely hideous experience there at a show with my husband involving security. Once when trying to access the ATM after the show so I could buy merch and then at 9:50pm once I was at the merch table another guard refused to let anyone else buy any and sent us on our way. I will never, ever go there again.
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