A heavy metal festival at Brighton Racecourse sparked complaints when the bands’ powerful riffs drifted across large swathes of Brighton.
The first Breakout Festival on Saturday night was billed as the city’s only outdoor heavy metal festival and attracted acts from all over the country.
But residents not aware the event was taking place were left scratching their heads when the blast of music travelled down the valley and into their homes up to a mile away.
When word got round as to what was causing the din, most people agreed as a one-off it was fine, but it would have been nice to have had a bit of warning.
However, 26 people complained to Brighton and Hove City Council’s noise patrol, who paid the headbangers a visit, and more to Sussex Police.
A council spokesman said: “Calls were made to the council’s Out of Hours Noise Patrol Service and officers attended at 10.45pm.
“During their visit the music stopped. That night Sussex Police also received complaints.
“This week officers from the council’s environmental protection team, and licensing team have been working with the management at Brighton Racecourse and Sussex Police to prevent similar complaints in the future.”
Brighton Racecourse did not respond to our queries, but on Sunday their site manager Richard Langley tweeted:
@heglat please come and speak with us, I apologise we didn’t let as many residents know as we could but maybe going forward you can help — Richard Langley (@RichardLangley1) September 28, 2014
A spokeswoman for Breakout said: “The response from the local community has been fantastic in supporting Brighton’s first outdoor heavy rock festival.
“We are delighted that the majority of our attendees have proclaimed it’s one of the best first year festivals they have seen in a long time, complimenting our organisation and for having a very impressive attendance number.
“The most important thing we have taken on board from this year’s event is to ensure all those around the area are fully aware of the festival with plenty of notice, inviting them to participate and attend. We will be back in 2015!”
@chellemccann @heglat @huxley06 @BrightonRace Not averse to it – would be nice if racecourse advertised events to Whitehawk & Manor Farm — Duncan Hill (@DuncanDCH) September 27, 2014
@huxley06 @IvorFried @heglat So loud this afternoon assumed it was neighbours. They have stage outside on elm grove side (can see lighting) — CJ Eskriett (@cjeskriett) September 27, 2014
@heglat Race course part owned by Council. Maybe have word with them/Councillor. Course needs to diversify, but not annoy neighbors. — Jonathan Tilley (@jastilley) September 27, 2014
@IvorFried Agree but urban life means give & take. Friday night noise at 10.30 is hardly extreme @mikeleissner @jastilley @heglat — Iain Chambers (@sevenbeescafe) September 28, 2014
I had a quiet night in and sat in my front room the sound appeared to be coming from a few streets away; it was a low dull base, with loud surges and lots of cheering…I can’t believe it was on the racecourse as I live in the heart of Hanover. The need to do something to stop the sound reverberating around the city! And yes. It would have been nice to know in advance it was taking place, I could have gone out!
I can’t believe it! Yeah maybe it should have been more known to local residants but it’s once in a blue moon just let the rockers have some fun if it was pop music it would probably be ok
Dont you think that this festival for all age attendance is better than kids going out and getting drunk on the streets and running around your streets making noise? Also potential hurting themselves and others in the process? This is whats wrong with today’s society as it provides nowhere for children to go and have fun! If these kind of things were a regular occurrence I imagine there would be a massive difference in how youth behaved.