Sequences Festival chiefs say event is good for area
ORGANISERS of a music festival set to take place in Bristol this summer have attempted to allay residents’ fears, saying they want to “work closely with the community”.
Bristol-based promotion agency Platform Live has secured a licence to stage Sequences Festival at Greville Smyth Park as a one-off trial on July 24 and 25.
Volume will be capped at 65 decibels instead of the 75dB wanted by organisers.
They say the two-day showcase of drum & bass and house music will provide a huge boost for South Bristol both culturally and financially – but residents are fearful of noise levels, disruption to their local park and increased traffic.
Neighbour Matthew Gibbs presented a survey of 253 residents by local community organisation rateBS3 to the licensing sub-committee at City Hall on June 10.
The research found about three-quarters were opposed to the event.
Tom Hoyle of Platform Limited, who has been putting on dance music events in Bristol since 2003, is adamant this year’s trial – which is subject to lockdown restrictions easing – will run smoothly.
“We’re confident that if it can go ahead, we’ll be able to put on a fantastic event,” said the 40-yearold.
“It will be great not only for ticketholders who haven’t been to a festival in a year and a half, but those in the industry who have been out of work for so long.”
Tom, who runs Platform Live with Rob Cracknell, was keen to assuage the fears of those who live near the site.
Sequences has been held at Motion annually since making its debut in 2016, aside from last year when it was cancelled due to Covid-19, but after selling out each time, Tom and Rob wanted to expand.
“We looked at a bunch of parks with the council’s site permissions team back in 2019 and they steered us towards Greville Smyth,” said Tom, who has lived in South Bristol since moving to the city in 2000.
“They felt it would be good for South Bristol to have its own music event and they liked that the park has really good access from the city centre, which encourages people to walk and cycle.
“East Bristol has Tokyo World and Love Saves The Day and there’s always stuff going on at The Downs, but South Bristol has never really had a music event like the one we’re putting on.”
The plot of land on which the festival is due to be held – the flat area that houses the football pitches – will be fenced off from July 19, but the rest of the park will be unaffected for the duration of the set-up and throughout the event itself.
If there are no further setbacks to the roadmap and Sequences can go ahead as planned, Tom believes it will provide a huge economic boost to BS3.
“I imagine the businesses of North Street, Hotwells and other nearby areas will enjoy a huge economic boost over the two days,” he said.
“Taxi companies, local security staff and many others who will provide support over the weekend will also benefit.” Organisers had initially wanted noise levels up to 75 decibels outside the nearest homes, arguing it was the same as that permitted for concerts at nearby Ashton Gate Stadium.
But Bristol City Council environmental health officers said 65 decibels would be more appropriate for the event.
“The final level we have agreed on is great and it will work well for the headliners,” said Tom.
“It’s all about compromise; we didn’t come into this trying to upset anyone and we really want to work closely with the community.”
Tom added that it is “in our interest” to leave the green space in pristine condition.
“We’re doing everything we can to minimise damage to the park,” he said.
“Our site hire agreement with the council states we have to return the park to them in the state we found it, so it’s in our interest to protect it.”
The Sequences lineup features globally-renowned DJs including Chase & Status, Gorgon City and Sonny Fodera.