Will Lubbock Be Allowed To Turn Up The Volume At Concerts?

The Lone Star Amphitheater opened in 1999.

Like any business, the Lone Star Amphitheater has had growing pains. The venue is slowly being revitalized and is the choice location for concerts "under the stars". It is certainly one of the reasons why we still have large live music shows in the Hub City.

In 2017, 18 years after the venue opened Lubbock Councilperons Sheila Patterson-Harris made it her mission to turn down the volume on concerts by trying to implement a noise ordinance that would have effectively shut the place down. In addition, calls were made to the police and others that seriously affected the Amphitheater's ability to do business and have shows. It was borderline abusive.

The community at large fought back against Patterson-Harris's noise ordinance, some of us banding together under the banner of "keep Lubbock Loud". After continuously being hassled with no real proof, the Amphitheater purchased equipment that proved they weren't breaking any ordinances and there has been an uneasy peace every time there is a show.

I am sorry to the people who live in East Lubbock who think they are being put upon. I live about an equal distance from the new rodeo grounds which will also be having live music. These events are good for the community and we have to grin and bear it when they happen, (not unlike how pets and vets have to deal with fireworks on the 4th of July).

Shiela Patterson-Harris has decided to not run for re-election. I'm sure she did many good things for her community, but she'll always be known as the person who tried to kill live music in the Hub City. I hope her successor realizes that the Amphitheater is a necessary facility for Lubbock that only inconveniences East Lubbock a few times a year.