The Week in Light & Sound
- Details
Communities Secretary Sajid Javid said the rule, which applies to new housing schemes, was an "unfair burden". And he said the government would "right this wrong". Developers will now have to address noise issues if they opt to build homes near a long-established venue.
Industry bodies have said that under current laws, venues are facing "an avalanche of cases" in which residents of new developments were complaining about noise pollution after moving in. The Music Venue Trust said some venues, as well as other community and cultural organisations, were at risk of closure as a result of what it said was a legal anomaly allowing people to move next door to a premises and demand that noise generated by it be stopped. The problem, it has warned, was not confined to music, with complaints being made about the ringing of church bells as well as about noise emanating from speedway stadiums and even farms.
In response to a long campaign by the industry - backed by a cross-party group of MPs - ministers have agreed to reflect what is known as the Agent of Change of Principle in the National Planning Policy Framework - with which developers in England must comply. In future, if developers are given permission to build near an existing premises, they will be responsible for identifying and solving any sound issues.
Y Not Festival - The organisers of the Y Not Festival in Derbyshire have announced the event is on for this summer at a new site. The festival was abandoned midway in July last year due to safety concerns after heavy rain. This summer, the new site will be at Aston Hill Farm in Pikehall, which is adjacent to the previous site on Mouldridge Lane.
Organisers say it will still take place in the "unbeatable setting of the Peak District" with clearer routes for festival goers and improved access for service vehicles. "We’ve been working really hard to make sure that when you join us in July, it’s the best Y Not it can possibly be. And it seems like a good time to give you an update on everything," they said in a statement. The Y Not Festival will take place 27-29 July with a line up announcement to follow soon.
Corporate Funding - London’s Old Vic has renewed a partnership with the Royal Bank of Canada, its main financial supporter. The not-for-profit theatre receives no regular subsidy, and said it therefore relies on the partnership for its existence.
Artistic director Matthew Warchus said the bank’s funding had been “crucial” to realising its artistic ambitions. “To continue to offer an ambitious spectrum of entertainment without the financial safety net of public subsidy requires daring. It also requires support. RBC shares our conviction in the personal and social benefits of theatre as a force for good,” Warchus said.
That Night - A French broadcaster behind a controversial film about the 2015 terror attack on the Bataclan in Paris says it will be shown at some point. In December, France 2 said the fictional love story, That Night, would be postponed until survivors and victims' families had been consulted. Now, a spokesman has told the BBC the film will see the light of day.
Name Game - The Eagles have settled a legal case against a Mexican hotel that named itself after the band's biggest hit. Both sides agreed to cease legal action after the hotel's owners withdrew their application to trademark the name Hotel California in the US. "This case has been settled by mutual agreement," said Thomas Jirgal, a lawyer for the Eagles. The band had claimed the hotel "actively encouraged" guests to believe it was associated with them.
Musical Notes - US screenwriter Danny Strong has been commissioned to write a new jukebox music celebrating Frank Sinatra. Called Sinatra the Musical, it is expected in 2020. The new musical will be produced by Ambassador Theatre Group, Stewart Till, Frank Sinatra Enterprises and Edward Walson, while Larry Manetti will be the executive producer. Adam Speers, producer at ATG, said: “To have Danny on board is amazing news. His previous work speaks for itself and it made perfect sense to have him write the book for what is set to be a unique musical about an all-time Hollywood legend and icon.”
Memories - Hundreds of people gathered to pay their respects to the late Cranberries singer Dolores O'Riordan in her home city of Limerick yesterday, ahead of her funeral today, Tuesday. Inside the church, O'Riordan's own songs played quietly, and a floral tribute beside her coffin read: "The song has ended, but the memories linger on".
Farewell - The Kinks bassist Jim Rodford died last week at the age of 76. The musician, who spent 18 years with the band from 1979, also played with Argent and The Zombies. The Kinks' Dave Davies wrote: "I'm too broken up to put words together, it's such a shock, I always thought Jim would live forever in true rock and roll fashion - strange - great friend, great musician, great man - he was an integral part of the Kinks' later years. RIP."
(Jim Evans)
23 January 2018
