Entertainment commission OKs trial for Soulful Sundays after Fillmore neighbors complain of loud music

The San Francisco Entertainment Commission voted Feb. 6 to allow Brothers for Change’s Soulful Sundays a two‑Sunday trial activation following sustained neighborhood complaints about noise on O’Farrell Street.

Staff recommended a limited trial — authorizing two activations on Feb. 18 and March 3 — and required the organizer to return to the commission’s March 5 hearing for further conditioning and to report on outreach. Deputy Director Azevedo told commissioners inspectors had received multiple complaints last year and recommended a limited pilot so staff could verify compliance and neighborhood response.

Eric Edgerly, speaking for Brothers for Change, said the group had done outreach and agreed to a compromise on frequency. He told commissioners the events are intended to support local culture and economic recovery in the Fillmore; "we started on Friday nights…we're trying to rebuild the Fillmore," he said.

Neighbors testified at length that noise and the frequency of events have made weekend life difficult. "I live in the area, and I just wanted to say that I never received any outreach about this event," said Antonio, a nearby resident, urging stronger verification that neighbors receive notice. Several residents described repeated late‑night loud music and vans with powerful sound systems; one resident said music vibrations had shaken objects inside homes.

Supporters and performers emphasized the Fillmore’s history as a music district. A community member argued, "Fillmore has always been known for entertainment and music," urging commissioners to preserve cultural programming while addressing volume.

Commissioners discussed frequency and enforcement limits — noting that the SFMTA controls street closures and the commission can regulate entertainment frequency and sound conditions. Staff said some complaints stemmed from an unaffiliated DJ operating from a van and that enforcement is challenging when the source is not a permitted event.

The motion to approve the two‑Sunday trial and return in March carried unanimously. The commission asked staff to coordinate outreach verification, consider equitable frequency limits across nearby events, and attempt to bring the Friday night market and related permits to the same March hearing for comparison.