A discussion about letting this summer’s two concerts on the Common legally break a noise bylaw turned into a debate over musical taste at yesterday’s Halifax Regional Council meeting.
In the end, city council agreed to exempt Power Promotional Events from a law that “prohibits any person from engaging in any activity that unreasonably disturbs the peace.” That means Sir Paul McCartney and KISS can hit the outdoor Halifax stage July 11 and July 18, respectively, without worrying about rocking too loud.
But not every councillor agreed the municipality should “bend over backwards” for big name musicians.
Coun. Steve Streatch said he can’t back the McCartney concert, pointing to the British musician’s protest of the Atlantic Canadian seal hunt a couple of years ago.
But Coun. Dawn Sloane stressed that McCartney has picked to play Halifax on his tour over every other Canadian city, adding “he’s an awesome guy.”
Coun. Jerry Blumenthal said he’s not really a fan of either McCartney or KISS, joking “he’s still back in the music of Peter, Paul and Mary.”
Streatch voted against the bylaw exemption, but Blumenthal, Sloane and others agreed the concerts are worth a couple of noisy nights.
