Concert promoters split over police role

Press, 6 March 1984, Page 23

Concert promoters split over police role

PA Auckland Concert promoters are divided over how the police should meet violence at future rock concerts. One promoter, Mr lan Magan, says the police should meet violence with violence if “yobbos” try to break into future concerts.

Another promoter, Mr Hugh Lynn, also wants the police to take a strong attitude with concert gatecrashers who use violence.

But Mr Benny Levin, the Sioter who brought Elton to New Zealand, said such action would ruin the

enjoyment of concerts for the law-abiding public.

Mr Magan, whose company, Concert Promotions, is co-hgst for Kenny Rogers at the week-end, said “yobbos” fueled by alcohol and drugs were endangering people who paid good money to get into concerts.’ “If the police decide they have to use violence to repel these people, I approve 116 per cent.” Mr Magan did not think Kenny Rogers would attract the same element, although future rock concerts would be likely targets. He said that although

there had always been the odd fence jumper the “yobbos” were organising themselves and this was new.

Mr Lynn said fences were ripped down during the David Bowie concert late last year but the main difference between it and the trouble-plagued Police concert was that security guards got assistance from the police.

He said the anti-authority element saw that the police could be beaten if they were not equipped with long batons and riot gear and the police’s own attitude mirrored this.