Residents express concerns over noise from Down by the Laituri festival in Turku

Residents in Turku have voiced their concerns over the noise generated by the annual Down by the Laituri (DBTL) festival, held just a couple of hundred meters from the city center. Local resident Harri Myllylä describes the soundscape during the festival as “disturbing” — akin to constant motorcycle noise amidst urban traffic. He has lived near the festival site for over a decade, and the sounds from the festival penetrate his home, a charming old wooden house that does not offer the sound insulation that newer apartment buildings provide.

The presence of music noise, particularly during summertime, often leads to complaints from residents who struggle to sleep with their windows open. The late-night performances typically culminate with louder acts, and Myllylä and other residents wish the events would wrap up by midnight. Organizers have slightly adjusted the schedule, with performances now ending at 1 AM on Fridays and 1:30 AM on Saturdays, a change from previous years that lasted until 2 AM.

Valtteri Hongisto, head of a research group at Turku University of Applied Sciences, notes that music noise is particularly distracting because it is unpredictable. He adds that bass sounds are more disruptive due to their ability to travel through building walls more effectively than other frequencies.

Despite the noise complaints, the city’s event director, Antti Kirkkola, emphasizes the importance of such large events for the economy, tourism, and employment. The city aims to balance hosting such events while managing noise levels, urging communication and preparedness among residents for any disturbances.