Help l'Autan to reopen its doors to musicians

The Toulouse café bar l'Autan was set up in 2000 in a spirit of cultural open-mindedness. Since then it has become a key player in the city’s alternative music scene thanks to its gigs and its diverse, non-mainstream atmosphere.

Many local, national and international bands have performed there and thus l'Autan has served as a springboard between rehearsal studios and the biggest music scenes, showcasing both emerging local bands as well as musicians from further afield. People from very different backgrounds and social spheres would rub shoulders there in a friendly and pluralistic atmosphere, to enjoy not only a drink but also a cultural event.

So, why the past tense? Because since April 2010 the café bar l'Autan CAN NO LONGER PUT ON GIGS, its raison d'être.

The reason? A neighbour who lives above the premises has complained of 'noise pollution', despite the fact that gigs have always been organised with respect for local residents, with a maximum of two events each week between 8:00pm and 10:00pm. This individual refuses to engage in any dialogue and has succeeded, by means of systematic complaints, in stripping l'Autan of its very essence. It seems to us that these allegations of noise pollution are rather just a pretext designed to hide a more serious reason: it would appear that the diversity of our audience makes our neighbour uncomfortable. Surprising as it may seem, she is actively involved in a cultural society in the local area!!!

L'Autan refuses to limit its business to simply selling drinks and is keen to continue putting on gigs. We equally reject the stigma of 'creator of noise pollution' and assert our role of social and cultural player.

• Because a café bar is not only an economic entity.
• Because all leanings, styles and tastes must be represented in society and because art and culture are not uniform but diverse, varied and open to all.
• Because we contribute to the cultural development of our city, its attitude towards diversity and the democratisation of music.
• Because we value the creation of social cohesion between our customers and are keen to preserve the social mix within our premises.
• Because we contribute to the vitality of our local area.
• Because what is needed is dialogue, not repression; one individual cannot impose their will to the detriment of that of the majority.

We need your support. Sign our petition* so that l'Autan can once again open its doors to musicians.

* Signatures collected here will be presented to the Toulouse city and the Haute-Garonne préfecture authorities in order that they intercede and open a dialogue with this neighbour who is stopping us from working in good conditions.

Special thanks go to Alice Jones for translating our petition to English.