Outdoor Music - Where to draw the lines.....

[DJIanScott]

I'm sure this has probably been addressed on here before, but I'd like to gauge opinions on marquee/outdoor weddings in private houses, etc.

I've recently taken a booking for a wedding next Spring. It's being held in a large (but not secluded) private house in a wealthy area of Essex. I've explained to the clients that the generally accepted 'noise nuisance' cut off time in the UK is 11pm, but that I am willing to play until midnight. They have now asked for the party to continue until 'at least 3am' with 'banging club classics.' I then explained that noise levels in the still of night carry much, much farther than the close-by neighbours' houses whom they have invited, and that if reported to the authorities, I could have equipment confiscated. This is obviously a drastic measure, but it happened to a former colleague about fifteen years ago.

It's looking increasingly likely that I will not be playing this reception due to the timings. What does everyone else think? Am I being unduly cautious?

[Shakermaker Promotions]

In my opinion, No. I think you are doing the right thing.
You advised them in advance using your experience.
As the booking is a long way off they will have plenty of time to get something sorted.
If you think that they are going to stick to those times then I would say to them that unfortunately I am unable to provide the service they require for the duration that they require and I would reiterate the reasons.

It's not worth risking equipment being confiscated.

[ukpartydj]

I'm sure you won't get your equipment confiscated.
If it is reported normally a letter is sent to the address with the details of the complaint.

If it is a persistent problem or is more severe which I can't imagine if the nearby neighbours are invited the police may attend and ask for the music to be turned down so to not annoy neighbours or completely off.
Before you're equipment is seized the organiser will have been fined and asked to do this.

The Police need a warrant to confiscate any equipment and I don't see them somehow doing all of this in one night before you finish.

Illegal raves are of course a different story and I know nothing about these.

[Shaun]

Just add a clause to your T&C's stipulating that In the event of noise complaints you will comply in full with any instructions provided by the authorities. You could also add to the clause that states beyond 11pm the noise levels and bass frequencies will be reduced significantly to adhere to Government guidelines on Noise Pollution Control.

I doubt very much the authorities will turn up and remove your gear without due warning, but it's always better to err on the side of caution. Situations like this you have to be clear and concise in making the clients understand that there will be low volumes later in the evening, which may work against their expectations (especially as they have requested dance music).

[yourdj]

I would make it 1am max if its an area with houses around it. Get on google maps.

[paulg]

No, you are not being over cautious. I think that in situations like this, it's best to put yourself in someone elses shoes who has just finished work and wants some kip or perhaps is ill and has to listen to thud, thud, thud while 3am in the morning. There is a tendancy these days towards this sort of party so well off people can drink at supermarket prices. When it becomes commonplace, they'll be no peace and quiet anywhere.

I had the same situation a few weeks ago and I stopped music at 11.30pm prompt. I'd reduced the bass at 11.00pm. Personally, I though that was too late. Nightime is for sleeping.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

I'm sure you won't get your equipment confiscated.
If it is reported normally a letter is sent to the address with the details of the complaint.

If it is a persistent problem or is more severe which I can't imagine if the nearby neighbours are invited the police may attend and ask for the music to be turned down so to not annoy neighbours or completely off.
Before you're equipment is seized the organiser will have been fined and asked to do this.

The Police need a warrant to confiscate any equipment and I don't see them somehow doing all of this in one night before you finish.



I'm not sure the police have anything to do with it. Environmental health investigate noise complaints usually.

[DazzyD]

I'm not sure the police have anything to do with it. Environmental health investigate noise complaints usually.

Not after 10.30pm!! The police will be involved if they receive any complaints!! ;)

I've done two garden parties before that have been visited by the police due to noise levels (even though on both occasions I turned the volume down to a minimum level so that the S2L light effects still worked). Both events were finished early by the organisers after speaking with the police.

"3am"? "Banging club classics"? Like the Dragons, I'd have to say sorry but I'm out!!

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Not after 10.30pm!! The police will be involved if they receive any complaints!! ;)


I'm still not convinced you are right Dazzy.

Google 'noise complaints police'

They can't do anything but work with EH to solve problems.

Edit, though I suppose it could go down as a breach of the peace?

[DJ Jules]

Edit, though I suppose it could go down as a breach of the peace?

They're more likely to use the "illegal rave" line to confiscate equipment. Actually, they're far more likely to tell you call environmental health.

I have had exactly this situation in the past (private party, very loud, in a very residential area, going on til late) and I've called the police (non-emergency numbers obviously) and been told in no uncertain terms that it's an Environmental health thing. Environmental health only being interested if the noise happens on recurring basis. And during office hours. And with sufficient recorded evidence.

I suspect different police forces will have different policies though and some will be more inclined to act to keep the peace than others.

I ended up taking the fuses out of their meter box (not a recommended action) and posting them through the door in an envelope the next morning :D

Julian

[theoloyla]

I have done gigs where the police have arrived and simply followed their instructions to turn it down. That generally pre empts the organizers deciding to knock it on the head. I agree with a previous poster who said to make it clear that if complaints by the police were received you would comply with them.
Theo

[ukpartydj]

I've done a couple of parties which have gone past the 1am mark, one went on until 4am keeping it loud but was a good mile from any other house.

I don't know much about if the police would attend or not but if somebody was having a party and at 1am I could tell what song was playing in my own home with the windows closed I'd expect the police to come and sort it out!!
However I know that if it's during the day it's a council thing and they just get letters until they stop or the police get involved as we had some idiot who liked to pretend he was a nightclub DJ during the day with his window wide open playing DnB shouting crap down the mic! I could see him jumping around in his room - nutter!

[Excalibur]

I have done gigs where the police have arrived and simply followed their instructions to turn it down. That generally pre empts the organizers deciding to knock it on the head. I agree with a previous poster who said to make it clear that if complaints by the police were received you would comply with them.
Theo

Pretty much my experiences also. I recently had one in a residential area where we had two visits from the Police, and at the second one, the volume went way down ( hadn't dropped it at the first visit, cos I wasn't informed of their arrival ) and we finished very soon after.

[lazersounds]

I had the police turn up at a house party I hosted about 5 years ago. They were good about it and basically said we don't want to spoil the fun but its getting on and neighbours are moaning. Told them was planning on heading into town anyway and no more was said about it, even offered us a lift.

We did have a laugh with them as the neighbour who rang them said there was around 50 of us, so they sent 3 vans full of coppers. Was only 12 of us :D

Its highly unlikely they will seize any equipment, as long as you do as they request they are pretty laid back about these things. Well they are in my neck of the woods.

The way I look at it, as long as you are not playing loud music till 3am every weekend and its a one off party then I have no issues with people having fun, However their will always miserable people who pick up the phone at 1 minute past the reasonable hour moaning down the phone. Thank them for noise limiters :D

[DJIanScott]

It is encouraging to know I'm not on my own here. I should've mentioned that its being held in a large marquee, so noise will definitely be heard in the vicinity.
My former colleague had his kit taken away under an old Parliament act called NRB ( No Repetitive Beats) or something like that.....I think it was brought in to curb the illegal raves as someone mentioned earlier. He lost his 1210's and mixer though. Luckily, the PA system wasn't his!!
I've reiterated my terms to the client and now just waiting.

[DazzyD]

I'm still not convinced you are right Dazzy.

Google 'noise complaints police'

They can't do anything but work with EH to solve problems.

Edit, though I suppose it could go down as a breach of the peace?

Excessive noise is covered under Anti-Social Behaviour guidelines and the the police do have powers to act to stop it:


Night time noise
If your local council has resolved to apply the provisions of the Noise Act 1996 (in England, Wales or Northern Ireland), or been ordered by the Secretary of State to do so, it must take reasonable steps to investigate complaints of noise from dwellings or licensed premises between 11pm and 7am. In Scotland, if your local council has resolved to adopt the provisions of Part 5 of the Antisocial Behaviour (Scotland) Act 2004 it has to ensure that an investigation is made into any complaint of noise from accommodation, shared private gardens or common property in a tenement or housing scheme (but not from licensed premises). Ask your local council if they have adopted the relevant noise control provisions. Council officers can enter premises where there is noise beyond the prescribed levels and remove any equipment responsible for the noise. Some councils have out-of-hours noise patrols who can investigate alleged night-time noise nuisances in person. The Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003 also grants powers to local authorities in England and Wales to investigate night noises whether or not they have adopted the provisions of the Noise Act 1996.

Anti-social behaviour
Causing excessive noise at night can be a form of anti-social behaviour. The police now have extra powers to deal with anti-social behaviour. For example, they can work with local councils to obtain anti-social behaviour orders (ASBOs) against residents who cause alarm, harassment and distress to others.

[source : www.environmentlaw.org.uk]

[funkymook]

I've recently taken a booking for a wedding next Spring.

If your gut feeling is it's going to be hassle then it probably will be - there's plenty of time for them to find another DJ and for you to get another booking.
(though you say 'taken' - have contracts been signed, deposits paid etc? Or is it still in the enquiry stage?)

[DJIanScott]

If your gut feeling is it's going to be hassle then it probably will be - there's plenty of time for them to find another DJ and for you to get another booking.
(though you say 'taken' - have contracts been signed, deposits paid etc? Or is it still in the enquiry stage?)

Contracts signed, deposit paid....and then they asked for the changes. Not sure they read any of the conditions at all! I spoke to them this morning and suggested they could use their own hi-fi after midnight to continue the party, to which they seemed quite agreeable. So any public nuisance caused after the witching hour will be no concern of mine! Problem solved it seems!

[funkymook]

Contracts signed, deposit paid....and then they asked for the changes. Not sure they read any of the conditions at all! I spoke to them this morning and suggested they could use their own hi-fi after midnight to continue the party, to which they seemed quite agreeable. So any public nuisance caused after the witching hour will be no concern of mine! Problem solved it seems!

Lets hope all the guests are happy about you packing up and leaving just as the party gets going!
(Let alone the hassle of moving gear through them).

[stormproductions]

I do a lot of marquee work, predominantly out in the countryside with no other close residents (for instance a nice lighting job this last weekend where the noise boys had a fairly substantial Funktion 1 system running until 7.45am with no complaints that I was aware of). However, if it's on the edge of a village as a one-off party we normally try to direct the sound away from the village and reckon to go no later than 1am if the immediate neighbours have been notified, but the very rare marquee job in a town we'll say 11pm latest.

Had a fabulous party this summer in a residential area where at 11pm we turned the main PA off and transferred everyone onto headphones for a silent disco which worked superbly. (Please Google 'silent disco' or search the forum before asking the inevitable questions if you don't know what I'm on about!). Obviously there was no music to annoy people, but the audience do get rather noisy.