Portland's young musicians face challenges performing due to a lack of all-ages venues, disappearing since the early 2000s. Friends of Noise, a nonprofit, plans to revitalize this scene with the opening of Off Beat, an alcohol-free venue located in a former strip club. This initiative responds to the demand for live music experiences accessible to youth, as illustrated by André Middleton's personal journey, who recognized the gap when his daughter wished to attend concerts. The Icebreaker festival exemplifies the talent and potential of these young artists yearning for performance opportunities.
"I couldn't take my young person to go see live music in a small venue the way I had," recalls André Middleton, reflecting on the loss of underage-friendly spaces.
The Icebreaker festival at Holocene showcases young talent, but the lack of all-ages venues has barred these artists from performing regularly in Portland.
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