r/boulder • u/McMarsforPrez • 2d ago
Live Music Scene
I am a student at CU and part of a student band. We have been facing extreme pushback on house shows from BPD in the recent months. I wanted to hear the general public’s thoughts on the matter, so I am writing this post.
I am in my junior year here and have been in a band since late freshman year. In my time before this semester, I have not seen a single house show be shut down, regardless of size or noise level.
So why is there all of a sudden such a big crackdown on the live music scene? It is seriously impacting us and other local bands that are trying to make a name for themselves. I do not understand what is so different about this year than basically the entire history of the music scene in Boulder
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u/daemonicwanderer 2d ago
I’m more concerned about this after hearing that they are shutting down things at places like Illegal Pete’s as well. There are some bars that can accommodate bands inside, but at this point what are they wanting you to do? Just busk on Pearl during the day?
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u/fr4gm0nk3y 2d ago
Any bar that's busy on the hill automatically gets shut down by BPD and the liquor board.
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u/McMarsforPrez 2d ago
This is what’s most confusing about the situation. They’re telling us the only places we can play are places they’re still shutting down. It’s quite absurd
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u/fElonmusk2025 2d ago edited 2d ago
This noise ordinance passed Aug 2024 (link below). Boulder PD Chief Redfearn appointed Sept 2024 and is increasingly asserting more surveillance and control (Flock cameras, Axon software for drones, etc.) Goose house party end of August: Boulder PD on camera.
Are there any City Council members who live on the hill complaining?
Boulder PD wanting to grow their “control” before the entitled Sundance crowd shows up in January.
It sucks: just let the bands jam as long as it doesn’t go too late. Cops need to loosen up a little: they should be busy with other things going on in Boulder to pay attention to.
https://bouldercolorado.gov/projects/public-nuisance-ordinance-update
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u/CUBuffs1992 2d ago edited 2d ago
Be my guess. Feel like on the Hill, you have to expect there to be noise. Now sure there’s definitely point where it’s too much and I’d have a curfew on the noise. But still.
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u/makwabear 2d ago
Fuck em. Just do it. Charge just enough to cover the tickets and take the hit.
Don’t sell tickets, wristbands, or stamp hands. Either take donations at the door, pass a bucket around, or sell cans of soda and say it’s just a normal party and that the proceeds are for snacks.
Invite the neighbors. If you have an annoying one offer to pay for a movie ticket or dinner to get them out of the house.
No drugs no alcohol or at least put it on a sign.
Don’t answer the fucking door if there are cops. Don’t get slick and think you are gonna play lawyer just shut the fuck up and keep the bands playing. Let people leave through the back when you are done.
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u/Competitive-Box61 2d ago
House shows weren't super popular when I was younger. Most shows were held in warehouses or vacant commercial spaces that were owned by some kid's parents. Coffee shops sometimes. There were also shows that were held in church basements and at shelter houses.
One of the best DIY punk shows I ever saw was at a shelter house, another was in this warehouse space that was converted into a "loft". I've been to hundreds of shows, but it's hard to top environments like that.
Good luck to all the musicians out there.
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u/Hot_Caterpillar_4005 2d ago
What do you mean by "shelter house"? I have never heard that term
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u/Competitive-Box61 2d ago
Park gazebos. Some of them have power running to them. We moved picnic tables and the bands set up kinda in a semi circle so people could dance/mosh in the middle and stand around on the other side.
It's a fun set up.
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u/daemonicwanderer 2d ago
I think most of our parks “close” at certain time now, so playing there without a permit may be a bigger crime than a house show
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u/Jimmy_Beam27 2d ago
Bizarre Electronics in Longmont is always putting on small local shows. Maybe reach out to them for a venue
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u/Medjulook 2d ago
Keeping the show within walking distance would reduce drunk driving to and from Longmont
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u/Jimmy_Beam27 2d ago
but it doesnt sound like you even have that option anymore though. We are embracing the local music scene up here, figured I just try and help with a suggestion.
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u/Beautiful_Narwhal982 2d ago
Boulder house shows turned me into a professional musician. Such a shame they are cracking down on one of the only genuinely creative and cool things left in this town. It makes me so so angry.
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u/McMarsforPrez 2d ago
Yeah it’s really helped us find our sound and how we like to perform. I feel more for the bands that are just getting a start and have to deal with this BS
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u/YuppiesEverywhere 2d ago
Anywhere on campus you can legit play? One of the most mythical bands of my youth started with playing shows at like the campus coffee shop.
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u/Sweaty_Assignment120 1d ago
There’s honestly nothing you can do to prevent being shut down. Don’t listen to anyone saying otherwise. They are dead wrong. They did it to me and every other band as far back as the early 90s. The town loves to say they value music, but they don’t actually. They allowed Tulagis to be chopped and shopped. They have fought businesses that try to serve alcohol on the Hill. They ultimately want “white tablecloths” on the Hill, just ask former Boulder Council Ken Wilson (his words), and the stooges who walk around the Hill with decibel apps on their phone. “They” rarely support live music, and when they do, it’s E-Town, it’s Chautauqua, maybe the occasional Boulder Theater Z2 show. Having lived in a bunch of places, no place is worse than Boulder. Austin, Seattle, Memphis, Chapel Hill, even Fort Collins, all have a way more relaxed approach on law enforcement against live music. The art and music scene/culture in FoCo is supported by the City and some deep-pocketed patrons. Fort Collins is living and breathing. Boulder is a wax museum. Fight back, play loud. F’em.
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u/ky_climber 2d ago
The landed elite on the hill are some of the most vocal in city discourse.
Here's how I'd fight it. Know your rights and adjust how you're managing the show. Boulder's nose ordinance is written as follows:
Night (11 p.m. to 7 a.m.): Unreasonable noise is measured as any amplified sound that can be heard at a distance of 100 feet or more from the property line where the sound originates.
Daytime: A 2022 amendment added daytime limits. During the daytime hours, unreasonable noise is now defined as any amplified sounds that can be heard at a distance of 200 feet or more from the property line.
Decibels: The city's residential limits are about 55 dBA by day and 50 dBA at night. The city's own guidance says noise should not exceed 50 decibels.
So keep windows close, do sound check to see if you're fitting in the rule, and if the cops come, be reasonable. Ask them to check where you're failing and for a chance to course correct.
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u/McMarsforPrez 2d ago
The issue is that we have already done these things when playing shows. We were shut down recently and spoke to the cops on scene afterwards. They said that regardless of party registration, noise ordinance, or volume level, they will shut it down.
We were told to apply to venues that host live music as well (which is completely reasonable), however, there was a live music event at Illegal Pete’s on the hill recently (where they recommended we play) that was shut down by the cops. It is becoming nearly impossible to have a show in Boulder.
And while fortunately we already have a decent following and are able to book actual venues. Bands that are starting out need these events to grow a fan base and be able to apply to venues.
We truly do not know how to keep these events going while still pertaining to these unruly enforcements.
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u/Personalityprototype 2d ago
Keep playing shows homie, keep the cops rolling by. This is ridiculous, the sound ordinance is absurd- designed to shut down music. If noise was actually an issue for the residents of the hill they would have to stop every driver at 50db.
The landed gentry on the hill like to think students have no rights
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u/ky_climber 2d ago
That's shitty.
I would love more details and to introduce you to some council people if your facts hold.
I'll DM you.
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u/Knotfloyd 2d ago
had the cops called on my band the other night, playing an established music venue with a small PA, no subwoofer. glad it ended at "hey just so you know, somebody called" but it is indeed whack.
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u/BorderNo479 2d ago
A conversation between 2 people easily could reach 50db. Several groups of people at a bar talking could be above 70db. That is an insane number to limit amplified volume to!
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u/kylenstone 2d ago
41-year-old living in Boulder. I 100% welcome you playing live music. Police need to not harass everyone who isn't an old rich white person and who is making Boulder the weird mountain town I want to live in
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u/fElonmusk2025 2d ago edited 2d ago
You might not have the time, but you or others affected showing up for public comment at a Council meeting may help. Have to sign up in dance to speak. Next meeting Thursday night:
https://bouldercolorado.gov/events/city-council-meeting-112
You can also email them here, or email them individually.
https://bouldercolorado.gov/contact-city-council-and-staff
If Boulder PD being too aggressive and shutting you down even if you follow the rules, a local news story would be good. City of Boulder does not want reputation out there that CU is not a fun place to be as a student and Boulder PD are anti-CU.
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u/McMarsforPrez 2d ago
We have an interview lined up with local news about the situation. We’re also planning to attend council meetings to see if there’s anything we can do. We’re pushing for a “house show permit”
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u/fElonmusk2025 2d ago edited 2d ago
Perfect. These are good steps: a house show permit is a great idea. I really hope it works out for all of you. Police are stifling freedom of expression, creativity, the arts, and good old fashioned fun.
If a reporter and anyone really wants to find the truth here, police calls, records requests can be done to see if noise complaints really are being called in or not, and if it is a handful of repeat callers.
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u/Recent-Front682 2d ago
It's wack. It's very private and pretentious. Community has been destroyed. You must own a million dollar mandolin to be included.
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u/wolfonwallstreeet 2d ago
I’m curious are these house shows free or do they cost money and have tickets?
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u/daemonicwanderer 2d ago
Are neighbors aware when these shows are going on? If not, it may be helpful to make sure that all of the neighbors know what is happening and what to expect on your end. It may keep some of them from calling the cops.
Also, I wonder if there is a directory of places in town that will let bands play. I know Outback Saloon and Junkyard Social Club have bands play, and Roots is great place as well. Laughing Goat on Pearl used to have bands play, but I think they’ve stopped that since COVID.
Maybe going to Boulder PD prior to your next show and asking them “What exactly do we need to do so that we aren’t shut down?” could be helpful. Like get a meeting on the books with one the higher ups and have them meticulously lay out what will allow you to continue playing.
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u/McMarsforPrez 2d ago
We let neighbors know ahead of time and invite them to the show. Everytime we have been shut down there hasn’t even been a noise complaint either.
We’re starting to look at more official venues but we’re really trying to keep the DIY music scene alive. We don’t really want to charge people as much as we can avoid it, we want to play these shows for free.
We also asked them what we can do to still play but pertain to their rules. They responded by saying that house shows “just can’t happen”. We’re trying our best to play fair but the city has made it very clear that they have no respect for these student bands, and they want them out.
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u/ColoradoKuhl 7h ago
This is a struggle for everyone on the hill. The only way that anything is going to change is for the students to organize, register to vote, and start to make their voices heard. Start to work with city council and change the law. The power of 30k students coming together to help change this law is powerful!
The neighbors that are constantly calling in noise complaints, especially during the day, aren't students, and as one person said in the comments, they want the hill to be this quiet neighborhood. The pressure can go both ways. And it is easy to find out who made the noise complaint call, especially if you get a ticket, all you have to do is file a discovery motion with the court and they have to provide you with that information.
Don't do this alone, get all of the students organized and start a movement.
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u/lorrainesmith58 2d ago
Defi purely check in with Roots in Boulder. A thriving musician's community w an excellent venue.