Musicians' turn to listen as residents speak up
19 September 2008
In future it may be called the “road map” to peace after residents met with the organiser of a Coast music event to discuss ways of tackling noise complaints without the drastic measure of cancelling the event.
Peregian Originals, a free, twice monthly concert had informally convened on the grass at Peregian Beach Surf Club for the past nine years, but in doing so has also raised the ire of local residents.
Originator of the Originals, Jay Bishoff said he’d been the recipient of threats against the concert and his personal safety if the volume wasn’t turned down.
Mr Bishoff said he met with about 15 residents on Monday afternoon to hear their concerns.
“I hope they felt we were there to listen to them,” he said.
“It was a good opportunity for us to hear other people’s experiences and we’re trying our best to bend toward their requests.”
Mr Bishoff agreed to a number of measures including keeping the volume to within legal limits, changing the direction of the stage and encouraging the audience to move closer to the stage.
The two parties have agreed to meet in one month to assess the changes, but Mr Bishoff said it wouldn’t be possible to reduce all noise to surrounding streets, as had been requested.
Since the story surfaced, Noosa News has been inundated with letters of support for the well-attended concert with musicians, residents and even local politicians adding their voice of support. Roots and rock artist Asa Broomhall, pictured, first played Peregian Originals about six years ago, and he said it was vital to a healthy music scene on the Coast.
“Amazingly enough the Sunshine Coast doesn’t have a solid live-music scene,” he said.
“Venues pop up and then they close down.
“It’s amazing considering the size of the place and the people expect it, that’s what the lifestyle is about.”
Since his appearances at Peregian Originals, Cooroy-raised Asa has produced three albums, played festivals across the country and toured internationally.
He credits the grass-roots show with helping fellow artists find their feet.
Now based in Brisbane, Asa said he still looks forward to playing a set at Peregian.
“I love playing it, you turn up and it’s a beautiful Sunday afternoon and people want to listen,” he said. “It’d be sad if it died.”
Division nine councillor Vivien Griffin was divisional councillor for the area when the concerts first began, and she said she was behind it “100%”.
“This is a remarkable community event,” she said.
“It’s a wonderful atmosphere and that doesn’t happen by accident.”
Ms Griffin said council could be a “broker” for an agreement between complainants and organisers if the two parties could not reach an agreement voluntarily.
Recent Comments
Re: Objection to Peregian Originals
A conflict of Air, Space & Time.
I guess it’s a case of pick the battles, you perceive you can win.
And musicians are such an easy target, it’s a good call, we are generally simply too friendly, we seldom bite and the fact that you know that we’ll create and play music regardless of if we get paid or not, somehow makes it easier to squeeze budgets down to crumbs, which keeps most of us on the edge of obvious insanity. And then when it’s all go, so many find their most trusted, is opulent beyond explanation, adding to the insanity of it all.
Put it down to being a force of nature, we can’t help it, think of it as an added burden, a manifesting disability. The robin is allowed to sing, no-one legislates against her. The crows obviously knew someone who could ‘grease the wheels’, so they wouldn’t get shot. It’s almost as if an endangered species has been discovered near you, which would quite possibly effect you in a greater way. Your property may well increase in value from something you don’t.
We are compelled, it is an involuntary act of God.(in whatever aspect you perceive God)
At Peregian, It’s only a few hours, many people in your area benefit as a result… is it so hard to live and let live…You won’t win objecting against road works for months outside your home or business, I won’t win against millions of pirate downloads of my copyrighted music & Film (someone will have to fight with me..) Everyone knows how long this list could be. Adults & children within a village community fighting for their right to sing, play & dance, and celebrate friendship and love, deeply saddens me, and thankfully motivates me to quote, Winston Churchill, “We shall defend our island, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender.” In fact we have already begun to address the bigger picture. We weren’t sure how loud harmonica would go down, even if it was being played by Bob Abbott, so we found a hundred acres in doonan (The house with no steps) and we want everyone to come party with us there on January 3rd 2009 (see www.thegreatnoosacampout.com) Jay will be playing, cos he’s brilliant.
We’ll let you know other fun stuff we’re doing that won’t annoy anyone. Just call us ‘Sunshine Coast United Artists’ from here okay..we thought it might be tax deductable. Love, light and Laughter, to you all, don’t forget ‘The Federation of Light’ are coming on the 14th October, ask Blossom.
Come see me and the crew at Caloundra Music Festival…free CD’s (no-one else pays, why should you)
Kate Gibson
www.kategibson.com.au
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