For those about to rock, prepare to be saluted. But for those about to drink, prepare to get fined.
That’s the word on AC/DC’s December 15 concert at Western Springs Stadium in Auckland, New Zealand, as local leaders have voted to create a dry zone around the facility to prevent drunken hooliganism before and after the show. According to New Zealand news site Stuff, the Waitemata Local Board voted unanimously on Tuesday to support the liquor ban in areas surrounding the stadium.
The ban begins at 6 a.m. on Dec. 15, runs for 24 hours, and the “dry zone” includes surrounding streets in a loop around Western Springs Stadium, as well as the Auckland Zoo. Those caught with booze will be fined $250.
Of course, this doesn’t actually suggest fans can’t drink inside the stadium during the show, but seems more an effort to curb rowdy tailgating. Nothing uglier than a drunk 60-year-old AC/DC fans under the blazing afternoon sun. More from Stuff:
Board chairman Shale Chambers says even though many of the concert-goers could well be in their 60s, the police are concerned about alcohol consumption before and after the concert. Senior Sergeant Antony Wilson wrote a letter to Stephen Town, chief executive of Auckland Council, requesting the dry zone around Western Springs Stadium.
He states that temporary liquor bans have “significantly assisted in curbing alcohol-related harm and offending in public areas”.
Chambers says there was sufficient evidence of the potential alcohol-related harm to justify the dry street ban given by Inspector Gary Davey at the meeting. “He went through the levels of intoxication and alcohol related harm that was likely at this type of event,” Chambers says.
AC/DC are touring in support of new album Rock Or Bust, and played Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts in August. Check out our live review and photo gallery from the show.
Featured photo by Michael Christopher for Vanyaland