Artists call for more music venues in Jersey amidst “frustrating” nightlife restrictions  – News

Artists in Jersey are calling for the opening of more music venues on the island amidst “frustrating” nightlife restrictions.

According to the BBC, the government says it’s “in the process” of changing certain restrictive laws that would make it easier to throw events in Jersey.

It follows a recent survey that showed a majority backing in a £110 million regeneration of Fort Regent – a 19th-century fortification and leisure centre on the island – potentially turning it into a 2,500-capacity concert hall.

Support Your Local Club: Shop the Mixmag range here

The survey, conducted by 4insight, asked 6,000 people who both live in Jersey and have visited the island what they thought of proposed plans to turn the fortification into a new entertainment hub.

Of all potential renovations, a proposed music hall had the highest backing with a rank of 8.7 out of 10 from responders, while other proposals include a theatre, bowling alley, cinema, a facility for climbing and bouldering, and more.

Despite promising backing, artists have said more grassroots venues are needed in Jersey before a sprawling music hall is built, giving emerging local artists the chance to work their way up from smaller stages to the potential new 2,500-capacity venue.

Read this next: New study reveals 84% decline in number of nightclubs in Ireland since 2000

“Without these small venues, there are no middle venues and then there’s no one in Fort Regent supporting whoever,” local musician Barry James told the BBC.

In June, an event hosted at Jersey pub The Loft was shut down by police following noise complaints. The venue’s co-founder, Cisco, called it a “frustrating” situation.

“It’s such a built-up area, you can’t really have the music as loud,” he said. “[It] then affects the atmosphere of the party even though it’s just a couple of hours – there’s a lot of noise complaints,” he said (via BBC).

“Whenever you’re doing an event in Jersey, there’s a restriction on decibel levels. For us, we just want to be able to enjoy ourselves and actually give the people what they want.”

[Via BBC]

Gemma Ross is Mixmag’s Associate Digital Editor, follow her on Twitter

_{Images are for reference only.Images and contents gathered automatic from google or 3rd party sources.All rights on the images and contents are with their legal original owners.}