Well, should they?

It's an annual debate that I purposely avoided in today’s Scene column about Alive After Five. In the past, nothing BUT local bands played the free weekly bash at The Grove. Beginning in 2005, the Downtown Boise Association began hiring out-of-state acts in an effort to revitalize the party. Simply put, Boiseans weren’t turning out in droves anymore to see the same groups they can see any time at bars or weddings.

Should Alive After Five book local acts again?

It’s not an easy question. In recent years, a handful of vocal musicians have made a stink about it. I have no problem with anyone who argues that area bands should be booked – in fact, I agree that they could be booked on a limited basis. (More on that in a moment.) What drives me nuts is when certain indignant musicians become unpleasant and territorial about the disagreement, as if they’re entitled to play Alive After Five. Calling for a boycott of Alive After Five is not the right way to approach this issue. (Yes, a couple of local bands actually suggested that last year.) And let's face it: LOTS of Boiseans are obviously pleased with the touring bands being booked. It's fun to see new music. And there are definitely diehard fans of proven acts such as Asylum Street Spankers or Pato Banton.

Certainly, there are many local acts plenty talented enough to play Alive After Five. However, if they’ve oversaturated themselves by gigging too much in the Valley, the DBA has to consider whether Boiseans will be lured to Alive After Five. Raising money is one of the goals, so the DBA needs to attract lots of people. And let’s face yet another fact: Although most area musicians are realistic, upstanding citizens, there will always be a few who are delusional about their talent and/or drawing power.

I’d recommend that the DBA consider booking two or three local acts at the beginning of each year: 1) It would make local musicians happy and give them a chance to perform. 2) Boiseans will turn out for the first few Alive After Fives no matter who's playing, simply because they’re excited summer is here. 3) Almost every year, it seems like we get a rainout that forces Alive After Five indoors at the start of the season. No offense to local musicians, but it’s less devastating for a Boise band to get moved indoors than for an out-of-state act that traveled 500 miles thinking it would get to play for — and sell merchandise to — 3,000 people at The Grove.

Those are my thoughts. What are yours about this issue?