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5:41AM Sunday 23 November, 2008 Sunshine Coast weather Mostly sunny min 17° - max 25°

Death for live music?

7 October 2008

It seems the music is not alive and well in Noosaville, with attempts to liven up the scene again squashed by decibel measurements just weeks after noise complaints threatened the popular Peregian Originals Sunday afternoon concerts.

A three-piece cafe band was astounded last Sunday afternoon when their gig at a restaurant in Gympie Terrace was cut short amid noise complaints from residents four buildings away.

A Liquor Licensing spokesperson said an investigation was under way.

Midnight Blue vocalist David Zuric said up to 50 patrons who had enjoyed the soft music were left disappointed when the gig came to a halt at 5pm.

Mr Zuric said residents he had since spoken to in nearby buildings had refuted claims the music was above the legal level.

The 58-year-old musician said there was “no way” the band’s rendition of Eric Clapton’s Wonderful Tonight had exceeded the 75 decibel limit.

Mr Zuric believes complaints against live bands have threatened the almost non-existent culture of live music in Noosa’s tourist strips.

“We were playing very slow songs, very quietly, and people had just started to get in the mood when a man and woman came in with a decibel meter and said the band was too loud,” Mr Zuric said.

“People were really disappointed, and there are a whole lot of people who want to sign a petition because people came from Maroochydore and Brisbane to see us.

“We know from experience that this has happened to some other groups with people getting closed down, but it defies all common sense.’’

Peregian Originals organiser Jay Bishoff said the legislation had long favoured the minority and in turn had disheartened musicians trying to break into the tough Coast scene.

Noise complaints about Mr Bishoff’s free open-air community concerts are currently under investigation.

“A big part of the problem in recent times is that one or two people complaining would see entire venues shut down, even though the venue might be a pleasing thing to hundreds of people,” Mr Bishoff said.

“It reminds me of the scene in Star Wars with the trash compactor. The problem with decibel readings is that often the sound of chatter among patrons is above the legal limit.”

Mr Bishoff said he had recently met with six residents to discuss their concerns about the free concerts.

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