Age discrimination in music - it's official


My predictions of age discrimination in the field of music are confirmed in today's Guardian:

At the Underage Festival in east London, bouncers will be checking IDs not to root out teenagers but to catch the twenty-, thirty-, and even fortysomethings trying to sneak in to hear some of the hippest new bands and DJs.

The one-day event in Victoria Park, Hackney, billed as the world's first credible festival for the under-19s, will see up to 5,000 14- to 18-year-olds turn out to see indie darlings like Jack Peñate, Cajun Dance Party, the Pigeon Detectives and the Mystery Jets (above). With many of the bands barely past their GCSEs themselves, the event looks set to be a riotous celebration of teenage exuberance.

For the £20 entrance fee they will get eight hours of musical treats on four stages, plus attractions such as a "bedroom jam" space complete with amps, drums, guitars and keyboards. But no alcohol will be on sale and there will be frisking on the door to catch those trying to smuggle it in.

Any parents who insist on hanging around ready to drive their offspring home at 8pm will be kept out of sight in a "creche" behind the main stage, complete with bar. VIPs will be similarly catered for.

Now read about the brand new sexy audience, and sample the Underage Festival via eFestivals Radio - but only if you're under 19 (only joking).
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