An art gallery in Liverpool has been served with a ‘noise abatement notice’, prohibiting it from holding live music events.
Assuming the music wasn’t that loud – this is yet another sign of the growing regulation of live music.
Music is often now classified as ‘noise pollution’, and many live music events have to measure sound levels outside.
Of course – not all music is to everyone’s taste, but this uniform definition of music as ‘noise’ is part of the growing official view that sees all social life as messy pollution.
It’s a view that comes from the EU too – with Parisian clubs and others falling foul of similar regulations, and setting up protests in celebration of night life.
The Liverpool gallery – Static – has taken the bold step of holding a discussion about the issues raised. They use the occasion to ask: what is the city for?
Details of the debate below…
Noise Debate
Liverpool: Capital of Culture?
Urban Metropolis or Suburban Hinterland?
6pm Thursday 2 Feb 2012 (5pm doors for drinks)
Static Gallery, Liverpool, L1 9JD.
Panel
Chair: Doug Clelland (Architect)
Panel: Daniel Hunt (Ladytron) Councillor Steve Munby (City Council).
Due to strong interest in the debate, we advise you to email paul@statictrading.com to confirm attendance, as entrance will be on a first come first served basis.
At the start of December 2011, Static Gallery received a Noise Abatement Notice from Liverpool City Council, a statutory notice requiring Static to NOT allow any further ‘Loud Amplified Music’ in its city centre premises.
In light of receiving the Notice, Static Gallery have decided to host a debate on the 2 February 2012 in order for the key issues to be aired in a public forum.
Paul Sullivan, Director of Static Gallery states
“We have been given the notice after the city council received a number of complaints from residents about live music events held in the gallery. Without going into the mechanics of what a notice is and what the definition of ‘Loud Amplified Music’ is, its clear to me that If a place like Static can’t hold music and experimental sound events within the remit of its license, then there needs to be a serious debate about what exactly we want our city to be. There is a real worry that the city’s cultural eco system is being fundamentally altered, there’s a danger that the city will become like any other and forever lose its edge.”
What is the city?
Who is the city for?
Who controls the city?
What is Liverpool City Council’s vision for the City?