Left In Lowell

An editorial in the Sun praises Cox, then lambastes the Spinners and the promoter of the “Goth” rock event I wrote about earlier. Let’s take this one part at a time, shall we?

No ‘punks’ in the park
The Lowell Sun

There is a time and a place for the The New England Punk, Goth and Metal Musical Festival, and it’s not Lowell’s LeLacheur Park on the first weekend of October.

City Manager John Cox made the sensible call to cancel the event.

Shame on the Lowell Spinners for thinking the first historic concert in the city’s stadium should be devoted to raucous musical fare
rather than a family-style event.

What kind of appreciation is that for the record-breaking success the Spinners have enjoyed for years, courtesy of Lowell’s taxpayers?

Who can forget Tsongas Arena’s historic opening night? The star performer was carefully chosen to showcase its importance. And Liza Minnelli mesmerized a packed house with a classy performance. It set a tone of excellence that has continued to this day, including all types of events, from rap artists to moshe pits.

We’re not prudes in Lowell, we’re just prudent.

The first concert at LeLacheur Park should instill the same pride, passion and memories as the arena’s.

So, the argument is, LeLacheur Park is somehow sacred because what? Taxpayers paid for it and it’s the first major concert event held there? Look, either you are pro-business or you’re not. Pro-market or not. The stadium is attracting business in the form of a pretty amazing concert festival. This concert would bring hundreds into the city for the weekend, and they need to sleep, eat, and shop. So they’re not middle-aged fans of Liza Minnelli…does that make their dollars, or their right to come into the city, any less valid? And you can’t say “The first concert at LeLacheur Park should instill the same pride, passion and memories as the arena’s” and then say later on “Cox’s decision had little to do with a disdain for chain-clanging music or macabre lyrics.” Either it’s about the music or it’s not. Either you againt the “raucous musical fare” in favor of “a family-style event” or you’re not. (Unbelievable that such an obvious breach of logic sits right there on the editorial page.)

How fuddy-duddy are you people? “We’re not prudes in Lowell, we’re just prudent.” Haha, that’s so laughable. Just saying it doesn’t make it so. Tell the truth - you’re afraid of young people. You think of them in your hearts as hooligans. And you want the “cultural” image of the city to stay “safe”; rather than have a real, vibrant arts culture, you want to be able to control it. Real arts is dangerous, you think to yourselves. Better keep a lid on it.

I got news for you, if you want to be known throughout the state as a cultural center, this is exactly the wrong thing to do. Censoring art because you don’t like it, or “get” it, is pretty indicative of the real reasons those in power desire an arts culture in this city - to increase property values, instead of for its own sake and reward. You aren’t supporting the artists; the artists are supporting you and your newfound lifestyle, and we’re here for your amusement and at your service.

I have to let you know, artists hate being used. So be prepared for lots more clashes where this came from.

Let’s take the next part of this silly editorial, shall we?

No one is discriminating against Goth, punk or heavy metal music — least of all City Manager Cox. Yet promoter Matthew Marchesi is making it an issue while covering up his own negligence for failing to comply with the city’s licensing regulations. The 25-year-old promoter may be getting his 15 minutes of fame, but he’s also displaying a lack of maturity in a field that depends on building good relations for success. Grow up, kid.

All right, let’s for sake of argument take St. Onge at his word. As I wrote previously, St. Onge is the guy with the permits - you go to him, apply, get approved for use of whatever city property you asked for, and receive a piece of paper saying you have permission. Simple enough to understand, correct? My sources tell me that Matt was diligent in working with St. Onge for 6 months to make sure this event had its t’s crossed and its i’s dotted. So what did Matthew Marchesi do wrong? If St. Onge was talking like it was a sure thing, then Matt jumped through all the various and sundry hoops you people (by you people, I mean city officials) place in the path of the public to obstruct the use of our own city spaces. It was only after the event was publicized in the Sun that suddenly, there was a failure to comply.

Whose city is this? Ours, or John Cox’s?

Here’s another part of the editorial:

Cox’s decision had little to do with a disdain for chain-clanging music or macabre lyrics. In fact, Cox told Marchesi to take his show to Tsongas Arena, a more appropriate venue for spectators and security.

What a stupid, stupid point. Cox told Marchesi to take his concerts to the much more expensive rental property of the Tsongas. Cox knows the group can’t afford to play there, so don’t give Cox credit here, when he’s just being an ass. “Offering” another venue you know isn’t viable is the same as kicking this event out of the city entirely.

And all those thousands of dollars will be spent elsewhere in another city. Congratulations, John Cox, you just ruined a good economic opportunity for the businesses of Lowell. And ruined its reputation as being a cultural center for all the arts - not just the ones on the approval list.