Mar 02, 2016
On Tuesday, the L.A. County Board of Supervisors voted against an all out ban on electronic music festivals, instead voting for an ordinance that would approve festivals and events on a case by case basis.
Festivals have come under increased scrutiny for the health risk they pose to attendees as electronic festivals, and raves especially, have a reputation for drug use. Last year at the HARD Summer music festival, two young women died of drug overdoses, prompting the possibility of an all out ban on festivals.
The Electronic Music Festival Task Force, comprised of police officers, sheriff's deputies and public health officials, suggested raising the age restriction to 18 for all events, banning all bags and purses, using drug sniffing dogs and staffing at least four officers for every 1,000 attendees. Morgan Humphrey of the drug policy alliance supported the recommendations for the task force but was against the use of drug sniffing dogs saying "When people see these drug-sniffing dogs, they tend to take all of their substances at once."
While L.A. festival-goers may lament the stricter restrictions, the board's decision not to proceed with an all out ban should come as welcome news. While local community members have pressed for the ban, city officials have also taken into account the increased revenue that comes with festivals. The Electric Daisy Carnival, which moved from L.A. to Las Vegas following the a drug overdose at the 2011 event, has brought $1.3 billion to the city's economy since the move.
L.A. is home to one of the biggest live electronic music scenes on earth with massive acts headlining festivals and arenas frequently as well as lively underground electronic scene. The city has spawned artists such as Flying Lotus, Skrillex, Tokimonsta, and Dillon Francis.
Image: Billboard