Complaints about the sound at Glade 2008

[Sperge]

LOL re Pendulum. I heard they packed the main tent out, though, so obviously some people did want to see them. I was in Overkill though.

[fletcher]

LOL re Pendulum. I heard they packed the main tent out, though, so obviously some people did want to see them. I was in Overkill though.

they did pack the main tent out, i stuck my head in for ten minutes. I had to go see them, in order to validate my rather harsh opinions.

And thankfully, IMO, i was completely justified in slating them.

[ibrahim]

based on the feedback i am seriously considering heading abroad for next year. is there any reccomendations for someone looking for overkill-esque festival antics in europe?

-edit-

found dour, sounds alright.

[leah]

There were problems with the wind blowing sound towards residential areas on Friday night that led to some complaints being made by the public, which is what led to the sound being turned down at times... one particular issue was performers with MCs shouting into their microphones apparently, this triggered a couple of decibel meters. Ironically, so did the chants of "turn it up"...

nice, nice

[Gand]

they did pack the main tent out, i stuck my head in for ten minutes. I had to go see them, in order to validate my rather harsh opinions.

And thankfully, IMO, i was completely justified in slating them.

^^^^^ couldn't agree more, I did exactly the same.

~Gand

[fletcher]

found dour, sounds alright.

im considering a move into european territory for next year.

more on that later.

Dour does look ace.

[gleek]

I thought this years Glade was let down a lot by the noise restrictions. Obviously it's not all about the volume of the music, but when you're in the zone and you want to have a good rave, it's fucking infuriating.

I was chatting to a couple of the sound engineers, and I know someone who works on site on the stages / sound booths (and has at every Glade) and all confirmed that the sound levels are reduced at 7pm, 10pm and again at midnight. Something like 110db in the day, down to 90db at 7pm then finally to 65db by midnight. If these are breached then the monitors the sound "inspectors" have will go off (there's one of every stage) resulting in them automatically demanding the sound return to the restricted level at the time. (Unless they can be bribed which is apparently pretty hard, but happens). I'm generally not in the know about sound levels etc but this was what I was told over the weekend.

My question in this: why spend so much money on the best sound systems and sound engineers when the volume is so restricted? Surely if the organisers went about dealing with the complaints / council (after past Glade festivals) differently they could be in a better situation. I.e. instead of spending more money each year on sound, spending more on compensation (either cash / holidays) for the residents within the necessary areas around the site, (like at Glastonbury). Then everyone can actually enjoy certain genres at the sound levels they should be.

I thought the music range / quality was awesome this year, much better than the last couple of years I’ve been to, but it was heavily let down by the frankly embarrassing volumes at night. Remarc and The Bug were particularly awful. I was looking forward to Remarc so much and I actually felt sorry for the guy. I felt sorry for James and the Bangface night generally as the Overkill stage was clearly let down again.

The most depressing thing of all was walking into a tent and to see it only half full, with the majority of people not even dancing. The vibe definitely wasn't as good in some of the tents as it has been previously.

I'm struggling to believe the organisers can improve this situation in the future, seeing as it's definitely at Wasing for the next few years (and don’t the organisers own the land?) so it's probably going to be there for however many more years it lasts. It also seems highly unlikely the restrictions will get any better, particularly if there were more complaints this year.

If they could improve on the sound restrictions I would definitely be happy to pay a higher ticket price, and I’m sure many other people would too. If there's no improvement next year and they put the price up again, I think it's totally unjustified especially considering the lower demand for tickets this year.

Regardless of the negative points I'll probably be back as the vibe generally (especially outside of the stages) and at the ID Spiral in particular can't be beaten. But I do worry that less people will be bothered with Glade in the future as the sound was consistently disappointing as it got later. The future for Glade will certainly be interesting.

[Hi-speed Dubbing]

Glade 2009 possibly?

[magneticgrooves]

Well it would help with the sound issues!

But then again you have to feel dance music in your body!

[soundclash]

But people have been saying that for five years. If the majority of Glade punters were as bothered about the levels as some people keep saying on forums like this, why are so many repeat customers coming back year after year? Are they all masochists?

I did speak to Ans backstage about the sound issues on Saturday and he does feel that although there had been a few problems, they were far less serious than last year. Watch this space for more details when I get them. But once again, if it was that big an issue for most punters, there wouldn't be so much repeat business.

I think this year it was a bigger issue than he possibly realises.Loads of ''Turn it up!'' throughout the site. Never heard it at that scale. The reason for the repeat business is simply the standard of the artists they book and vibe of the Festi that draws people like myself back, it truely is a great festival BUT i think what with the sound issues and piss poor programing on Sunday they are at a tipping point for alot of us (people i go with). Its not festi fatigue with me, i go to many festivals and club nights, its a large part of my life. I can see why Pendulum were booked, to draw a from a new pool of people even at the risk of alienating others possibly. That goes with the territory but even some of my friends who came because Pendulum where there said they felt a little let down on the build up i gave it. I found myself excusing the sound levels to them and explaining the issues with the council and they simply replied ''Why dont they move?'' i had no answer apart from the great looking location and nice people. Also now with the likes of Bangface doing their own thing and alot of festivals putting on similar acts they just cant afford to fail to deliver quality if they want to stay at this scale or even grow. They have some thinking to do for sure. The numbers decline is partly due to economics but also a little to do with these issues. Like you pointed out its been a problem since the begining, perhaps some people have just given up hope that they will sort it. I am wavering to be honest, no big loss some might say but im sure im not the only one. I REALLY hope they solve it as ive had some of my best experiences there in twenty four years of festis, raves and clubbing. Heres Hoping

[yudlugar]

It was my first Glade and I was quite dissapointed with the sound across the whole festival. I went to Glade on the strength of friends recommendations and once I looked into the line-up wanted to see quite a few of the acts, particulary in overkill. I ended up having the best times in Liquid as the sound was good in that tent. Many of the Overkill acts for me were ruined by the lack of "oomph" to the sound. It was just like listening in my bedroom. The likes of Rotator and Droon left me mostly stood still nodding my head.. Marousa who I thoroughly enjoyed in London last week I had to walk out of the sound was so poor. The bug was another thing entirely, being able to hear a conversation of others several yards away.

It's unlikely I'll be returning next year, although I had a good time, the vibe of the festival wasn't really my thing and it's pointless coming on the strength of the line-up when most of it is spoilt by bad sound in my opinion. Glade wasn't worth the money for me.

On the plus side, Autechre, Current Value and Wisp were all awesome and I was also pleasantly suprised by Eat Static.

[shakyjane]

I'm sure it was actually beatmonkey's fault with that horn

the sound was absolutely shocking for deekline (and for anyone who understand this...wtf visuals?) & remarc, i saw a lot of movement going on before deekline & wizard - although beat assassins sounded fine from backstage. I dont understand why anyone would even consider cutting out all the bass for deekline & wizard

it seemed to get better on the saturday - but then i was getting more trashed.

In my opinion last year was worse though. I spent less time in the breaksday this year than 2007 though so it could have been. I found myself in the overkill a lot funnily enough

[dinnwarde]

Yeah i felt really gutted for Saint Acid on the friday, spoke to him at the back of the tent after his set and his face said it all, a real shame. As Sperge said, The Doubtful Guest was wicked and loud, same for Bong-Ra's first set as Glowstyx

But when Remarc and Bong Ra came on it was just gutting (as they were two I was really hyped to see). You could chat to people at normal speaking volume stood right near the front, and youd be lucky to hear any of the breaks, felt really sorry for James and the artists involved (and the sound engineers, since theyre powerless in these situations but get all the stick for it)

Looking forward to Acid On Sea so i can witness bangface at its rightful volume

Gleeks post is a good one, the Glade vibe itself cannot be beaten and I for one will be back next year, had an absolutely brilliant weekend when all said and done and met many many wicked people!

And yeah, agreed with the higher ticket price if needs be, it would certainly be worth it and im sure most glade fans would agree

[stir]

But once again, if it was that big an issue for most punters, there wouldn't be so much repeat business.

nonsense, sound levels have got worse year on year, quality may have improved, but each year we are promised better levels........ the main arguement against getting another site being - "its ok we have new technology that will improve levels and reduce complaints"

ive been lied to.

[tcphotography]

What a refreshing change to have a proper conversation during a techno set Now if you went to a free party it would be banging till 6 in the morning and you would have to shout to the person next to you Much better to spend over £100 and have music a little lower than the car stereo, Glade are looking after our ears good old glade the clubbers are great the weather was great the place was great the music was great the sound after midnight was not that great

[Sperge]

But once again, if it was that big an issue for most punters, there wouldn't be so much repeat business.

nonsense, sound levels have got worse year on year, quality may have improved, but each year we are promised better levels........ the main arguement against getting another site being - "its ok we have new technology that will improve levels and reduce complaints"

ive been lied to.

Actually, the sound in general was better this year than last. Fact. There were a few issues this year, certainly, but they had much bigger problems last year. And like I said, if it was that big an issue for most punters, they wouldn't be coming back. It's obviously a bigger issue for you than others, so obviously Glade isn't the right festival for you. Please find yourself a new one instead of boring me and everyone else about it for the next year.

[pd2h]

I too would say the same, if you don't like it don't come and moan about it when you are there?? There is nothing more annoying than trying to enjoy some music only to be totally put of by some looser shouting in your ear "TURN IT UP" why not just try and listen instead!!!

[9preciousGems]

i must be the only person there not to notice the poor sound levels during remarcs set (and any other set tbh)

how very strange

[Sperge]

I too would say the same, if you don't like it don't come and moan about it when you are there?? There is nothing more annoying than trying to enjoy some music only to be totally put of by some looser shouting in your ear "TURN IT UP" why not just try and listen instead!!!

It's also self-defeating. Several crew have said that the crowd chants of "TURN IT UP" were actually tripping the decibel meters.

[pesh]

Liquids Opus rig 1 - everyone elses FK1 rigs 0
sound cancelling technology my arse...