While it looks as though Melbourne could now be safe from noise complaint bullying, which has long been the scourge of the city’s vibrant music scene, artists may have a looming problem when it comes to taking their live shows into rural venues. Just ask Hilltop Hoods, who recently responded to complaints levelled at them by residents of Gladstone, Queensland.

According to The Gladstone Observer, nearly 3,000 people attended the gig at the Marley Brown Oval, some who’d eagerly awaiting the performance for months. However, not everyone shared the enthusiasm of reveller Kristian Hasenkam, who told the Observer, “The music is too good to stand still.”

“What an appalling blatant display of disregard for residents was this horrific noise pollution which we were subjected,” wrote one Gladstone resident in the comments section of the Observer article. Despite the reasonable end time of 8:30pm, many took to the Observer‘s comments section and social media to complain.

“Apparently the cops could only ensure that they complied to the Liquor Licencing Permit which had been granted for this attack on the peace and which had been granted by some public servant in Brisbane.

“I would not be surprised if the whole of Gladstone could hear the non stop screeching and foul mouthed so-called moron performers spewing out brainless rubbish at top decibels,” continued ‘Progressagain’.

“How did Harvey Road Tavern get away with being able to carry on with all that racket last night? Why were they permitted to have it on our Marley Brown Oval instead of on their own premises?” wrote another commenter. Meanwhile, one user going by the screen name MyHomeTown urged local resident to issue a formal complaint.

“For those who were affected by the noise and swearing you really need to make some form of formal complaint,” they wrote. “The Police can’t do anything once the venue has a Permit. If you don’t send in a email to somebody it will happen again and again which is not good for Real Estate values or lifestyle.”

Responding to the complaints via Facebook, the members of the Adelaide hip-hop crew explained that while they appreciate the view of nearby residents — “I have a park in my backyard and it has a lot of events that I’m not exactly stoked on” — taking “the good with the bad” is integral to living in a community.

“At the end of the day you’re in a community, and sometimes people in the community have different tastes to you,” they wrote. “I guess that sometimes you have to take the good with the bad. I’m not having a go at the people that complained by the way, it’s their community and they’re entitled to their opinion.”

Get unlimited access to the coverage that shapes our culture.
to Rolling Stone magazine
to Rolling Stone magazine