A festival on the outskirts of the city caused nearby homes to "shake" to the music, said fed-up residents.
Thousands of revellers descended on Waterhall, Brighton, for electronic music festival Land Beyond over the bank holiday weekend.
But the thumping basslines got to residents in nearby Patcham and councillors stepped in to signpost people on where to complain about the noise.
The sky was illuminated by a searchlight on Thursday night in preparation for the three-day festival. It could be seen across the city and was spotted by people as far away as Hanover and Hove.
Among the artists on the festival's bill was Craig David and DJ Sigala.
Some people living near the site took to social media to complain about the noise.
The Argus understands council officers were measuring volume levels in residential streets in Patcham.
Mum Claire Rogers said: "We could hear the sound check from inside with the TV on and a baby crying"
She said she contacted the council's events hotline to see if anything could be done.
Joanne van Vuuren said: "I love a good music festival but the levels are beyond what I think is permitted given the whole house was shaking."
Ian Denyer said: "I wouldn't mind if they weren't playing thump-thump trash."
Brighton and Hove city councillor Alistair McNair, who represents Patcham, said he and other councillors had contacted the council's events team. He told residents affected by the noise to complain to the council's events hotline.
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