What was meant to be a lively Saturday night on Courtney Place turned into chaos over extremely loud bass, after an overloaded mix rattled parts of the street and disrupted nearby businesses.

The incident began when DJ Shan opened his set with heavy double-bass drops. According to organisers, the bass levels were pushed well beyond what the system and surrounding venues could reasonably handle. While restaurants were not evacuated, several venues reported uncomfortable noise levels and strong vibrations during the dinner period.

Hummingbird Restaurant later emailed organisers to complain about the excessive bass affecting their dinner trade — feedback the event team says has already been addressed for future nights.

Restaurant staff described the sound as “intense” and noted rattling fixtures and uncomfortable pressure from the low-frequency vibrations. Although diners did not flee the premises, the noise levels created frustration and affected the usual dining environment.

DJ Shan apologised to organisers afterwards, acknowledging he “got the mix wrong” and allowed too much bass to spill beyond the event zone.

Following the incident, the DJs performing later in the night were asked to continue with reduced or no bass. Limiting their ability to deliver full sets. Despite this setback, managers said 90% of the DJs and bands were excellent. And the music overall was still well received by most attendees.

Wellington City Council responded to noise complaints and requested immediate adjustments to sound levels. Officials remained present to ensure compliance and prevent further issues.

For Courtney Place businesses and residents, the situation underscored ongoing challenges around noise control and nightlife activity, And highlighted the need for clearer sound management guidelines during street events.

Organisers say they are reviewing the incident and implementing changes to ensure smoother, better-balanced evenings going forward.