New licensing rules imposed by Haringey Council has seen Wireless Festival warn artists about offensive clothing, noise levels and swearing at the next event in Finsbury Park, due to be held in 2019. The new rules have come into force due to an extensive complaint from ‘Friends of Finsbury Park’.
The council report states that the complaints and views expressed by residents cover six main areas; use of and dealing of drugs, safety and anti-social behaviour, stewarding and policing, noise levels, litter damage and defecation, park closure and environmental concerns.
Under the new provisions, Stormzy would have to alter at least 17 of the 21 songs performed during his set in 2018 because of the lyrics.
The report notes that “some of the language” used by acts on the main stage was “clearly audible and not appropriate” for children in the local area to hear.
The Friends of Finsbury Park group commended the council for doing something to limit the “excessive and invasive noise” and is pleased that the event will finish earlier.
However, the group says some of its ideas have been ignored, calling for a limit on the number of people allowed to attend, which it called the “most important” point. Last year 37,000 people went to Wireless. The current maximum capacity is 49,999.
What do you think of the new rules?