THE controversial Slim Shady rapper Eminem's plans to star at a huge music festival in Scotland could be sunk by councillors.
The blond-haired star, infamous for his lyrics of murder, sex and violence, epitomised by his chainsaw-wielding stage persona, is reputed to be getting #3m to headline this summer's Gig on the Green at Glasgow Green on August 25 and 26.
Women's groups are incensed by the festival proposals, which also include performances by Glasgow's own award-winning chart-toppers, Travis, the US shock rock star Marilyn Manson, and the top band Green Day.
It is planned that more than 60 artists will perform on four stages at the Glasgow festival, which is expected to attract at least 60,000 fans, with Eminem starring on August 25 if he is allowed to travel by American courts and if Glasgow City Council grants a licence.
Councillors, who confirmed they have yet to grant a temporary public entertainment licence for the event, are to study environmental complaints which followed last year's festival.
They are also studying complaints that arose at a later concert played by Radiohead on September 28 and 29 on Glasgow Green. Complaints by residents near to the green about the noise levels were investigated by environmental protection department officers, who concluded: ''The condition of the licence relating to the music and noise level, based on recommendations contained in the Noise Council's code of practice on environmental noise control at concerts, may have been breached.''
In a report to be seen by councillors, the officers warn that ''any events of a similar nature at Glasgow Green in the future would be unable to comply with the Noise Council's code . . . noise nuisance is likely to occur''.
Failure to comply with noise restrictions can carry a maximum fine of #20,000 and summary conviction. On top of the noise problem, the council was incensed by the mountain of litter left behind after the concerts on the green. Any concerts this year are likely to face a clean-up order as part of any licence package.
Eminem could face performance problems and appeals by human rights groups against his visit - striking a parallel with objections against the granting of Mike Tyson's sports ground licence and subsequent fight at Hampden last summer.
Noise rules imposed by the council at Glasgow Green state that there must be no noise audible in nearby homes from sound checks or performers before 10am and after 11pm, there should be no more than 65 decibels over a 15-minute period near the dwellings, and dismantling must take place between 8am and 10pm unless permission is given otherwise.
Last August, the concerts on the green were staked out by sound monitors around the park and on Monteith Row, 240 metres east of the main stage and 200 metres north of the dance tent. A third-floor flat of the multi-storey Waddell Court was also monitored south of the River Clyde and 280 metres south-east of the Radio 1 tent.
In addition, sound readings were taken from Lanark Street-
Greendyke Street.
Levels recorded were given as: Monteith Row, 83.3 decibels; Waddell Court, 76.5 decibels; Lanark Street, 72.5 decibels.
Similar tests for the later Radiohead concert also breached sound levels.
A spokeswoman for Women's Aid said: ''We oppose anyone who advocates violence, particularly violence against women.''
Although he has appeared before in Scotland, with no controversy, Eminem's status has now grown and he attracts international scrutiny.
The 28-year-old rapper caused an outcry last year at the Manchester Evening News arena. The crowd saw him pretend to execute himself in an electric chair and threaten to drink himself to death.
More than 100 gay and women's rights protesters picketed the show, claiming the singer's lyrics incited bigotry and hatred.
The line-up
l Headliners: Eminem, Travis, Marilyn Manson, Green Day
l OTHER acts: Embrace, idlewild, former Lemonheads frontman Evan Dando, Queens of the Stone Age
l FACILITIES: The promoters have plans for a beach bar, massage parlour and inflatable beach volleyball court
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