Blockfest draws 98 noise complaints in Tampere

Yle reports that Tampere’s environmental control department had received 98 noise nuisance complaints by Wednesday about last weekend’s Blockfest hip-hop festival. The event was held at Ratina on Friday and Saturday.

The number is unusually high. Eppu Normaali’s three concerts at Ratina generated just one complaint, while other events held in Tampere this summer have prompted between zero and five complaints, according to environmental inspector Sari Sassi.

Last year, the city received 60 complaints about Blockfest. The organiser then promised to improve noise control and increase monitoring, particularly of low-frequency noise.

Blockfest marketing manager Jenna-Juulia Rekiö said the promises had been fulfilled. The organiser carried out reference measurements with the authorities before the festival and made the necessary adjustments based on the results. Sound levels were also monitored in real time, with more measurement points than required, she said.

Sassi said the complaints alone could not determine whether noise control had failed. The organiser must submit its noise measurement reports to the city within two weeks of the event. The reports will then show whether the noise limits were exceeded or whether an unusually large number of people were prompted to report the disturbance.

Residents were informed in advance about the festival and how to report problems. Media coverage of the complaints may also have encouraged people to submit reports, Sassi said, although she did not believe the complaints were unfounded.

Many reports referred to low-frequency bass carrying into residential areas, making it difficult to sleep or stay at home. Some people also reported physical symptoms such as stress, heart palpitations or nausea, although Sassi said many complaints concerned noise alone.

During the festival, nearby residents could contact the organiser directly by phone or email. Rekiö said the organiser received individual messages through those channels and responded during the event. Some feedback indicated that the sound had carried less than in previous years, she said.

Once the measurement reports are complete, the city will review the complaints with the organiser. Reports came particularly from central and southern parts of the city, including as far as Pirkkala.

Sassi said the city and Blockfest organiser had a good dialogue and would consider ways to reduce the disturbance. Moving the festival away from Ratina was not currently under consideration.