> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.hypebot.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# Music Needs To Support Lower Drinking Age
- URL: https://www.hypebot.com/music-needs-to/
- Published: 2008-08-20T07:38:03.000Z
- Updated: 2008-08-20T07:38:03.000Z
- Description: COMMENTARY: The music industry should follow the lead of the consortium of major college and university presidents who this week called for the US to lower the legal drinking age. Continue reading [https://www.hypebot.com/hypebot/2008/08/music-needs-to.html]
- Author: Bruce Houghton
- Tags: Live & Ticketing, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-01-21 11:06

[![Drinking_age_2](https://spcdn.shortpixel.ai/spio/ret_img,q_cdnize/www.hypebot.com/hypebot/images/2008/08/20/drinking_age_2.jpg "Drinking_age_2")](https://www.hypebot.com/.shared/image.html?/photos/uncategorized/2008/08/20/drinking%5Fage%5F2.jpg)

 **COMMENTARY:**

The music industry should follow the lead of the consortium of major college and university presidents who this week [called](http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/california/la-me-drinking20-2008aug20,0,1651220.story?ref=hypebot.com) for the US to lower the legal drinking age to 18\. They point to studies that show current restrictions actually encourage dangerous binge drinking among young adults. Only four countries (Ukraine, South Korea, Malaysia and the US) restrict drinking until 21.

Whatever the morale or scientific arguments for or against lowering the drinking age there is one indisputable fact: a lower drinking age would be good news for music and the music industry.

Before the age was raised to 21, circuits of clubs presenting live music…

flourished; not just in large cities but also in small towns. Bands  
from Bangor to Butte were able to sustain themselves and hone their  
craft by playing regionally 4 or 5 nights a week. College towns had  
scenes of their own and official school events weren’t shunned for  
private parties where alcohol is served illegally.

Alcohol abuse at any age is horrible. But I suspect that most of us  
in the music industry have always thought it was hypocritical to tell  
kids they could vote and fight in a war, but weren’t old enough to have  
a drink. It’s time for both artists and the music industry came out in  
vocal support of lowering the drinking age to 18\. Some will call it  
opportunistic or worse, but in our hearts we’ll also know we’re right. – *Bruce Houghton*