Quarry concert 'was too quiet'

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qmoZrr3V6I

People who attended last weekend's Back to the 80s concert in Shrewsbury's Quarry say noise restrictions ruined the event.

The Saturday night show, which included performances by chart-toppers of the past including Bananarama, Go West and The Human League, was organised by IML Concerts.

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It followed on from a performance by piano maestro Jools Holland on the Friday night.

Some audience members have complained the sound level was too low for an outdoor event.

But council bosses insist the sound level was actually higher than in previous years.

James Agg, from Telford, said: "The sound all night was up and down not at any constant level and only Go West was given any real decent sound.

"If Shrewsbury is to hold these events for two nights of the year the sound level has to be improved."

He added: "The artists and promoters will not want to come back if this occurs again."

Thomas Shepherd, from Frankwell, in Shrewsbury, who promotes music nights in the town, said: "When will the council listen to its residents? Low sound levels at a concert? What an absolute joke."

Alan Shrank, from Shrewsbury Town Centre Residents' Association, said the group did not think the Quarry was suitable for large-scale concerts.

He said: "We've always had the view the Quarry is the wrong place for open air concerts as, if it's a large crowd, you have to have it so loud it interferes with everyone living nearby because the sound travels a long way."

He said venues such as Attingham Park or the West Mid Showground would be more appropriate.

Carol Foster, licensing team leader for the central area for Shropshire Council, said the licence this year had been 10 decibels louder than previous years and had been set at 75 decibels for Friday and Saturday.

"It's a fine balance between the enjoyment of the people attending and the local residents who live around the area," she said.

Chris Bailey, from the organisers IML Concerts, said they would be finishing this concert season before they began looking at venues for next year's concerts and deciding on any changes to sound levels for their licensing application.

By Emma Kasprzak