To Rave Or Not To Rave

San Bernardino, Calif., is demonstrating mixed feelings regarding EDM concerts, with the city considering legal action against event promoter Insomniac while the county makes a deal with Live Nation to host massive outdoor raves.

San Bernardino officials are reportedly considering legal action against promoter Insomniac Events for alleged noise complaints and drug activity tied to the two-day Nocturnal Wonderland in September and Escape from Wonderland in October at National Orange Show Events Center.

City attorney James Penman said the cash-strapped city is considering filing narcotics and nuisance abatement actions against National Orange Show and Insomniac to try to stop the shows altogether, according to the San Bernardino County Sun, although Penman added he hopes that will not be necessary.

“We believe that there are too many adverse effects in the community from rave events, and these concerns are not new to the promoter and the National Orange Show,” city police chief Robert Handy said.

Police reportedly got into a physical altercation with several concertgoers at Nocturnal Wonderland when officers tried to arrest someone who had sold drugs to an undercover officer.

Insomniac principal Pasquale Rotella is also accused of ignoring a police request to lower the music volume during Escape From Wonderland.

National Orange Show GM Dan Jimenez said he was under the impression that everything was fine.

“No one has contacted me and made any comments about the coming after us aggressively,” Jimenez told the Sun. “We’re the only entity (in the city) that’s making a positive economic impact.” An economic impact analysis done on behalf of Insomniac puts the two-day impact of Nocturnal Wonderland at $11.9 million countywide.

San Bernardino filed for bankruptcy protection in July.

Insomniac spokeswoman Jennifer Forkish said the company had no comment on problems with the city but told the Sun, “What I can tell you is that Insomniac has enjoyed producing shows at the National Orange Show for over a decade and we look forward to holding future events there.”

Tickets for Insomniac’s “Beyond Wonderland 2013” are already on sale, but at San Manuel Amphitheatre in nearby Devore, Calif., surrounded by empty space and rolling hills.

Also, the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors voted Jan. 29 to authorize Live Nation Entertainment to host four EDM shows per year at the 65,000-capacity San Manuel Amphitheater.

Live Nation’s 25-year contract will reportedly be amended so the company can keep the shed open until 2 a.m.

Live Nation will pay a one-time fee of $5,000 as startup costs and then $1,500 per event, as well as pay for additional sheriff’s deputies and a helicopter to monitor each event, according to the Sun.

The first event at San Manuel Amphitheater, tentatively scheduled for March, will be closely watched.