Psytrance festival cancelled after locals call music “form of torture”

South Gloucestershire locals have officially soured on the Goa Cream Festival, calling its heavy psytrance music “a form of torture” in feedback to government officials, leading to its cancellation. The festival was due to return for its third year at Yewtree Farm from September 12-14, the BBC reports.

Local councillors revealed their decision last week (April 8) after consultations with police and health officials. One resident told police after last year’s Goa Cream: “It was non-stop heavy bass music; it was almost inhumane and a form of torture.”

Environmental health officer Florence Fisher said she received 11 similar complaints of shaking windows and long-lasting headaches. In one complaint, a resident claimed the noise from the festival had “a profound effect” on his family.

Goa Cream organiser Piers Ciappara was criticized for inadequate noise monitoring of the 2024 festival, as required by law. Fisher claims she was only given bits of information after the festival, including “numbers scribbled on pieces of paper;” Ciappara claimed an injury was to blame.

“The week after the event my colleague who had the sound system had a bad accident,” Ciappara said. “He nearly chopped his hand off cutting the grass so he couldn’t put a spreadsheet together – but this year we have a professional team with us.”