A d[r]eadfull racket is a purely subjective opinion on your part. Some customers may like them - others may not. In any case, the customers had no chance to voice an opinion either way, apparently.

Pub owners/landlords can do what the devil they want, and if they don't want entertainment in their pubs, that's their business, whether we like it or not. This particular instance of bells being "entertainment" sounds ludicrous, particularly as the morris team wouldn't have been their that long, in any case.

Why not try an organised riposte? Organise "flashmob folkies" to gather, totally unannounced, outside selected Sam Smith pubs and have an impromptu 10-minute chorus of uproarious songs before disappearing? Won't make a ha'porth of difference, but it'll get it off your chest!