Young Wexford musicians ejected from recording studio for playing too loud – ‘we will give them another opportunity’

By Simon Bourke, Wexford People

The spirit of rock ‘n’ roll is alive and well in Wexford town after it was revealed that a young group of musicians were asked to leave a local recording studio for being too loud. Opened last year, the Westgate Studio offers up-and-coming bands the opportunity to rehearse and record music at a reduced rate in a customised location.

However, in true rock star fashion, one band recently upset nearby residents by playing excessively loud.

“A group practising in the Westgate Studio were asked to leave because they were too loud,” reported Councillor Leonard Kelly at the December meeting of the Wexford Borough District. “They may have been loud but we want to promote all sorts of music in Wexford, whether it’s rock, punk, or whatever. Can we upgrade the studio and make it more soundproof?”

Promising to look into the possibility of reinforcing the sound at the studio, environmental engineer Hugh Maguire said his department deal with noise complaints of all kinds.

“We even get complaints about bells ringing in the town,” he revealed.

Meanwhile, district manager Anthony Bailey said he was aware of the band in question and that although they were “quite loud” they would be given “another opportunity”.

Currently it costs €25 to rent the studio for a half-day and €45 for a full day. And Cllr Kelly asked that secondary students be given a reduced rate to play their music. Mr Bailey confirmed that students will be offered a lower rate.