Music

Van The Man Bans The Booze At Concert

by Ciaran Thompson

This past Saturday at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion in Texas, Van Morrison prohibited the venue from selling beer at his concert. The Irish singer, yes Irish, claims he didn’t want any of those attending moving around during his performance such as making beer runs or seal-breaking trips to the bathroom. He also stated he doesn’t like people talking amongst themselves or misbehaving while he does the rounds of Astral Weeks.

President of the Pavilion Jerry McDonald said, “We didn’t know his feelings about alcohol sales when the show was booked. Van Morrison hadn’t performed in Houston for 20 years, so we were thrilled to get him.”

He added, “When we found out that he didn’t want liquor sold during his show, we tried to negotiate with his people. We were negotiating right up to the day before the show. We asked if we could sell beer in the plaza area, away from the stage. But he wouldn’t budge, and it was a deal breaker. If we insisted on selling beer, there wouldn’t have been a show.”

The next night however, the venue sold a record amount of alcohol and food at the sold out Buzzfest, a bi-annual show hosted by radio show 94.5 The Buzz. [Chron]