Very real threat to live music in the UK!

[Dr Cerebus]

I received this today regarding Electronic Noise Control:

Please see below for a petition to try and prevent a major threat to live music in smaller venues, making the installation of electronic noise control devices a requirement for having an entertainment license.

These devices (there are several in Bristol already) are a bloody nightmare, they're always calibrated far too sensitively and they're also always active, so even early evening gigs and DJs are affected. One gig we played at the Shakespeare resulted in our bass player having to give up completely, every note he played triggered the damned thing, and Chris Scott can make the things cut off just with his own voice, FFS. It played havoc with our equipment too, PA speakers and backline amps don't take kindly to having their electricity suddenly cut, and I spent half the night trying to coax our kit back to life again. It made a simple electric blues gig completely impractical, if we played quietly enough not to trigger the device you could barely hear us over the level of the crowd!

In short it's a blanket, generalised restriction affecting a large body of people, just to placate a small handful of complaints from residents. There has to be a better way than this.

It's definitely a worthwhile cause and they've got over 70,000 signatures so far, so here's hoping this is taken seriously.

Anyway, if like me you think this is an unreasonable and impractical system, please add your name to the list using the link below. Musicians, publicans and live music lovers such as myself offer our thanks.

Cheers,

D / CG

The petition is here - http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/NoNoiseControl/

As you can see - this will have a very real impact on many places that those of us in the UK frequent. The petition expires tomorrow so time is of the essence.

[Izzy HaveMercy]

Can you PLEASE change that in a less appalling color?

IZ.

[markfiend]

Can you PLEASE change that in a less appalling color?

IZ.

Done

Don't abuse BBCode. Posting a message in mile-high purple letters might seem amusing at the time, but I can guarantee the result will not be as readable as you would like. BBCode is there to help you emphasise specific points. It's not a new artistic medium.

And fwiw, I already signed the petition.

[Dr Cerebus]

Can you PLEASE change that in a less appalling color?

IZ.

Done

Don't abuse BBCode. Posting a message in mile-high purple letters might seem amusing at the time, but I can guarantee the result will not be as readable as you would like. BBCode is there to help you emphasise specific points. It's not a new artistic medium.

And fwiw, I already signed the petition.

Apologies for the use of colour.

[Izzy HaveMercy]

No probs

Just to be curious, me being from Belgium and all, to what limit are these devices set then?

Something like 'above 90 dB you are f**ked'?

IZ.

[markfiend]

I think it's something stupidly low like 85dB.

Don't worry about the colour thing Dr Cerebus -- we'll get by

Good first post by the way, welcome!

[nigel d]

having recently done a realy interesting and in depth IOSH course
the regulatory levels for noise control are now 80 and 85 dB

HASAWA says

@80 dB ear protection is mandatory

@85 dB there must be an engineered solution to reduce the noise level and restrictions on the length of time persons may be exposed to such levels.

probably introduced in venues to protect the hearing of staff in their workplace.

[Izzy HaveMercy]

I think it's something stupidly low like 85dB.

Don't worry about the colour thing Dr Cerebus -- we'll get by

Good first post by the way, welcome!

Hmmz... I would not call 85dB 'stupidly low' but then again I'm a bit biased about all this.

90-95 dB should be a good point tho.

I'm sorry for refraining to sign the petition Dr Cerebus, as a musician myself I really understand your point, but it's about time something is done about these ridiculously loud concert volumes.

But knowing the Breeteesh, they turn around a 180 degrees in that case

Anyway, good luck with this, as said, I do know how you must feel when all goes tits up and your equipment gets damaged...

IZ.

[Spigel]

I have a fair idea whose fault it is
clicky

[DOZMEISTER]

Read elsewhere that this is a hoax. A spokesperson from goverment knows nothing about it. Most local authorities have had the power to insist on noise limits for ages anyway.

[darkparticle]

I noticed BEN GUNN! has signed up...

*Pedant moment* More like the re-birth of live music? Acoustic only sets, no repetitive electronic beats

[boudicca]

I do not like when it's so loud that your lungs vibrate

[stufarq]

Read elsewhere that this is a hoax. A spokesperson from goverment knows nothing about it. Most local authorities have had the power to insist on noise limits for ages anyway.

Not quite a hoax but certainly out of date. The legislation was never passed and wouldn't have been as draconian as suggested.

Clicky

[markfiend]

I do not like when it's so loud that your lungs vibrate

Lightweight!

[Silver_Owl]

Read elsewhere that this is a hoax. A spokesperson from goverment knows nothing about it. Most local authorities have had the power to insist on noise limits for ages anyway.

That was my initial reaction. It sounds like a bad Chris Morris gag.