Controversy Surrounds Rammstein Concert Noise Levels in Groningen
Last week, the city council of Groningen caused a stir in local politics when it announced that the band Rammstein had been granted permission to make more noise during their upcoming performances on July 6 and 7 in the Stadspark. However, many are questioning why this announcement was made so close to the concert dates, considering that the Rammstein concerts were already announced back in September of last year.
Jacob Bolhuis, a veteran in the music industry with 40 years of experience, including 25 years at music organizer Mojo, expressed his surprise at the situation. Bolhuis, who has worked with renowned artists such as BB King, The Everly Brothers, John Denver, Roy Orbison, and Chuck Berry, explained the typical process for organizing performances. “Before you can hold a performance, a contract is signed. In some cases, these contracts are very thick books. The dates, times, fees, and details are all included. Part of the contract is a Rider, which contains details of how much noise the band wants to make.”
The fact that Rammstein requires a noise level of 103dB must have been known since the presale started last September. “This band wants people to feel the sound, to have their stomachs vibrate,” Bolhuis stated. “We are talking about a significant amount of noise. It is very strange that the municipal council only informed the council last Wednesday. I assume that the concert organizer deliberately delayed sharing this information until they assessed ticket sales. And then they put pressure on the community. If permission is not granted, the band threatens not to come, and there are plenty of other locations in the world where they would be welcome. This puts the municipality in a difficult position, especially considering that 110,000 tickets have already been sold.”
But what exactly does a noise level of 103dB mean? On paper, the difference between 100dB and 103dB may seem small, but Bolhuis explained that it is a significant increase. “The difference between 100dB and 103dB is a doubling. Sound follows an exponential growth pattern. To put it into perspective, sound up to 75dB is tolerable, but at 85dB, you can suffer hearing damage if exposed for too long. With every increase of 3dB, the sound pressure on your eardrum doubles. So, we’re talking about 103dB, a level where your hearing can be damaged in less than five minutes. It’s a substantial amount of sound, and it also has implications for the surrounding environment, especially considering factors like wind.”
Bolhuis believes that the municipality was caught off guard by this situation. “We had to wait a very long time for this information to be communicated. I don’t think the council was aware of this. As a city council, you are put in a difficult position, and giving in sets a precedent. It is particularly frustrating because the city council recently had extensive discussions about noise pollution in this part of the city.”
The controversy surrounding the noise levels for the upcoming Rammstein concerts in Groningen has sparked bewilderment and concern among local politicians and residents. As the concert dates draw near, it remains to be seen how the city council will address this issue and whether any measures will be taken to mitigate the potential impact on the community.
What is the rationale behind the city council’s decision to grant Rammstein permission for increased noise levels so close to the concert dates, rather than announcing it when the shows were initially announced?
With just days to go before Rammstein’s highly anticipated concerts in Groningen, controversy has erupted over the band’s noise levels. The city council recently granted permission for the German rockers to make more noise during their performances on July 6 and 7 in the Stadspark. However, many are questioning why this decision was announced so close to the concert dates, when the shows were originally announced back in September of last year.
Jacob Bolhuis, a seasoned veteran in the music industry with 40 years of experience, including 25 years at music organizer Mojo, expressed his surprise at the situation. Bolhuis, who has worked with famed artists such as BB King, The Everly Brothers, John Denver, Roy Orbison, and Chuck Berry, explained the normal process for organizing performances. “Before a concert can take place, a contract is signed. Sometimes, these contracts are thick books filled with details such as dates, times, fees, and technical requirements. Part of this contract is a Rider, which specifies the band’s desired noise levels.”
The fact that Rammstein requires a noise level of 103dB must have been known since the presale started back in September. “This band wants people to not just hear the music, but to feel it in their bodies. We’re talking about a significant amount of noise here,” Bolhuis stated. “It’s very strange that the city council only informed the public last Wednesday. I can only assume that the concert organizer intentionally kept the information under wraps.”
The sudden announcement has sparked concerns among residents living near the Stadspark venue. Noise pollution is a real issue for those living in close proximity to large concerts, and the late notice has understandably left many feeling frustrated and unheard.
Some have also criticized the city council for prioritizing the desires of a single band over the well-being of its residents. It is unclear why this decision was made at such a late stage, and whether any measures will be put in place to mitigate the potential impact on nearby neighborhoods.
As the controversy continues to brew, it remains to be seen how the situation will be resolved. With the concert dates rapidly approaching, it is hoped that all parties involved can come to a satisfactory agreement that will keep both fans and residents happy.
