No Fine, But a Warning for Late-Running Guns N' Roses Show

FOXBOROUGH, MA — Despite two Guns N’ Roses shows that went past curfew, Gillette Stadium will not face a fine for the late-running performances.

Following a heated discussion at their meeting Tuesday night, the selectmen voted 4-1 to take the issue under advisement and send a letter to the Kraft Group notifying them that the July 20 show went 10 minutes past curfew. The board chose not to issue a fine, which would have 25 cents per attendee.

The July 19 show ended three minutes past curfew, but was not the focus of the discussion.

Town Manager Bill Keegan said the show ended at 11:25 p.m. because opener Lenny Kravitz wrapped up his set 10 minutes late. The main act trimmed some songs, according to Keegan, but it was not enough to end by the 11:15 p.m. curfew. Due to the circumstances and past practice with licenses, Keegan recommended that the board issue a warning and then a fine for any future violations.

“As you’re looking at the fine scheduled, it says you may, not that you have to,” Keegan said.

If the board were to issue a fine, it would be the first for breaking curfew. Prior to the show, stadium officials requested an extended curfew of 11:40 p.m. due to concerns that the show could run late. The request was denied by the board.

Selectman David Feldman advised the board to approach the issue as an individual case.

“In each case, we don’t go the regs are the regs. We have to be cognizant because we don’t want a reputation that makes it harder for these bands to come here,” Feldman said.

Selectman Ginny Coppola, however, took a hard line.

“The license said it stops at 11:15 p.m. You’re saying you don’t have to follow the rules. It’s not fair to the town, you got to be consistent. I really think you're treading on dangerous grounds when you’re talking exceptions,” Coppola said.

Coppola cited the Mansfield policy for the Xfinity Center, which the Foxborough fine structure is based on. She told the board that a selectman from the neighboring town told her that his board has fined the Xfinity Center for finishing a minute past their 11 p.m. curfew. Unlike the Mansfield selectmen, the other four members of the board were open to a warning for the first violation.

“You have an emotional dynamic. The crowd is screaming and paid good money and the band wants everyone to go away happy. The fact there were no noise complaints, maybe just a reminder letter should be warranted,” Feldman said.

“You gave them an inch when they went three minutes over on Tuesday and they took a mile when they went 10 minutes early. They knew they were going over when they asked for 11:40 p.m. If everyone else can end at 11:15 p.m., then Guns N’ Roses can do the same,” Coppola replied.

No town officials received a noise complaint for the concerts according to the selectmen and Keegan.

“I’ve heard zero complaints about Guns N’ Roses. I don’t see what the big deal is. They went over by a little bit,” Selectman Chris Mitchell said.

Selectman Jim DeVellis told the board that they can’t issue a fine without a public hearing, suggesting that they send a letter and invite stadium officials to a future meeting to discuss the issue.

Selectman Mark Elfman asked to hold off on issuing a fine, telling the board that he would like more time to collect information.

Fines issued for breaking curfew at levied at the holding of the license, in this case Gillette Stadium.

The next Gillette Stadium concert features Coldplay this Saturday night. That show is expected to end by the 11:15 p.m. curfew.