Local Outcry Halts Goa Cream Psytrance Festival in South Gloucestershire

SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE, UK – A planned psytrance music event, the Goa Cream Festival, scheduled to take place from September 12 to September 14 near Thornbury in South Gloucestershire, has been cancelled following significant opposition from local residents.

Organizers had planned to host the three-day festival at Yewtree Farm, but faced a strong backlash from nearby residents who voiced severe complaints about the nature and volume of the music associated with the event. The intensity of the residents’ objections was highlighted by their description of the music as “a form of torture.”

Council Refuses Permit Amidst Complaints

The official decision to halt the festival came from the South Gloucestershire council. Citing persistent issues, the council refused to grant a permit for the event. Their decision was directly influenced by grievances raised during the previous year, specifically mentioning complaints about “non-stop heavy bass music” emanating from similar events held at the location.

This refusal underscores the growing tension between rural communities and event organizers over noise pollution and disruption, particularly in areas not typically accustomed to large-scale music festivals.

Organizer’s Attempts to Mitigate Concerns

In an effort to address the escalating concerns and secure permission for the festival, event organizer Piers Ciappara reportedly took several steps. According to reports, Ciappara attempted to mitigate potential disturbances by contracting a professional sound engineer. Proposed technical solutions included plans to reorient speakers away from residential properties to minimize sound spill. Furthermore, Ciappara is said to have offered to reduce alcohol sales at the event, potentially aiming to curb associated disturbances.

Despite these proposed measures, the council ultimately sided with the residents’ concerns, leading to the permit refusal and the subsequent cancellation of the festival at the Yewtree Farm site.

Search for New Venue Underway

Following the cancellation at the original location, organizers are reportedly seeking alternative sites for the festival. According to a report in the BBC, referenced by NDTV, efforts are underway to find a new venue that could potentially host the Goa Cream Festival on or around the original dates.

This search highlights the organizers’ determination to proceed with the event despite the setback, navigating the challenges posed by venue availability and local regulations.

Conflicting Messages on Festival Status

The situation has been compounded by conflicting messages regarding the festival’s overall status. While reports circulated about the cancellation at Yewtree Farm and the search for a new location, organizer Piers Ciappara posted a statement on the Goa Cream official Facebook page asserting, “Goa Cream is NOT cancelled!!”

This post suggests that while the original venue is no longer an option, the organizers maintain hope or plans to stage the festival elsewhere. However, details about potential new dates or locations remain uncertain as of now.

The cancellation at Yewtree Farm serves as a notable instance of local community opposition directly impacting the viability of large-scale events, emphasizing the complex balance between cultural events and residential quality of life. The future of the Goa Cream Festival remains in flux as organizers navigate the challenge of finding a suitable alternative venue.