Crazy Noisy

I think the Charlottetown let’s hold a very loud rock concert on the waterfront era is coming to an end; there’s simply going to be too much public pressure from disgruntled downtown residents to allow it to continue for another year.

I’ve heard reports that last night’s Nickelback concert could be heard in Brighton and Sherwood; here on Prince St., 5 blocks north of the concert site, I could have sworn that the band was playing in my front yard.

Sources tell me that City Hall received a lot of complaints on Monday morning after the equally loud Blue Rodeo concert Sunday night, as did the City Police.

It now seems clear that the tourism mandarins at The Capital Commission, whose attitude towards downtown residents is mostly “deal with it,” will be forced to either shut down completely, or scale back heavily to quiet, daytime-only concerts.

If you live downtown, and think things have gotten out of hand, here’s a handy list of email addresses you might use to let your feelings be known:

Comments

Dita's picture
Dita on July 3, 2003 - 03:41 Permalink

Dan: Sound travels over water big time, so pointing the stage the other way would be just as bad if not worse for the residents on the other side of the river.

the question I ask is who is the most important person here?? Meaning: if we move this concert to another local, say UPEI, then other people will be just as bugged. Who decides who is more important and who should be the one who suffers less. People living down town make this choice knowing there will be noises from time to time. It’s downtown people.

(taking a risk of sounding stereotypical and bias here) to tell ya the truth, this particular part of town is populated with a high number of people living within a very low income and to get a free concert was appealing to some. They may not have seen the bands, but many adults and children who might not get that change otherwise, got to enjoy some rock music for a couple of days. No harm in that.

Justin's picture
Justin on July 3, 2003 - 05:44 Permalink

If the words “Festival of Lights” should mean “noise” in my vocabulary, well, colour me dumb ‘cuz I didn’t get that.

Almost everything is advert’s and I, along with so many million others, block out ads. If “We’re having loud Rock music” news articles were reported in the media instead of hiding them in adverts then more of us would be warned.

Still, do we do this to celebrate or do we do this for the economy it moves?

If it’s to celebrate, then screw the marketing and the commerce.

If it’s to move the economy, then let’s have Rock concerts. Lots of them. I love them. We don’t need July 1 weekends downtown per se. It’s foolish logic to think that’s the unique working formula. I recall at least a dozen or two at the Civic Centre for the Brian Adams concert I went to a few years ago. Even saw a handful in Myrons for Dr. Hook. I’ll bet there were at least 25 people for April Wine, Weird Al, Trooper… hell, I wasn’t the lone audient for Don MacLean. Twice. Perhaps we could’ve pulled a hundred if we held it on the warf in the rain. Shit, even Tommy Hunter in Alma will draw a good crowd. Doing this outside was a good excuse to use the uber-speakers and make as much noise as possible. It’s the neanderthal in us that makes us think loud is fun.

mike rukavina's picture
mike rukavina on July 3, 2003 - 13:07 Permalink

I have been visiting this site as long as it has existed and -as a card-carrying Rukavina- feel obligated to break my self-imposed silence and comment on the nature of the discussion above. In all of my time spent here, aside for the passionate, thoughtful debate, I most appreciate that this debate is almost always civil and respectful (yet playful) in nature. I am quite certain that Peter enjoys this as well. Out of respect for my brother I would hope that the participants in the lively discussion above would keep this in mind…

Wayne's picture
Wayne on July 3, 2003 - 15:19 Permalink

I would not want to be hanging from a tree since I was 12, Al! New..but improved???

Charlie's picture
Charlie on July 3, 2003 - 15:27 Permalink

Alan: The Halifax/Dartmouth fireworks were “Molson Presents” and from all the comments on the hfx.general newsgroup they were terrible. As an Islander living in Halifax I made sure to travel home for Canada day as I believe, and others as well, that if you want to really celebrate Canada day then your go to Charlottetown or Ottawa. I wasn’t disapointed in the least. Fireworks were probably the best I have ever seen here.

Kevin's picture
Kevin on July 3, 2003 - 15:29 Permalink

Thanks for that Mike. Until now, ich glaube(sp?), this site has managed to avoid the need for ‘reinventing’ asbestos undies as so many BBS SIGs and USENet groups have thrived upon.

Pausing gracefully as this too passes…

Alan's picture
Alan on July 3, 2003 - 15:51 Permalink

Fireworks are amazing. We live very near the ones in Kingston. Fireworks are not rock but they are noise. People do not beat each other up after fireworks..or do they. Could an hour of fireworks be presented after an earlier concert?

Johnny's picture
Johnny on July 3, 2003 - 16:46 Permalink

Actually people do beat each other and rob each other after fireworks, so much so that the Canada Day fireworks in Vancouver were cancelled this year.

Alan's picture
Alan on July 3, 2003 - 17:12 Permalink

Wow — that is like a drunken fist fight in Toys are Us.

Lana's picture
Lana on July 3, 2003 - 17:19 Permalink

A guy was stabbed in the Byward Market after the fireworks in Ottawa…

Lana's picture
Lana on July 3, 2003 - 17:20 Permalink

An HOUR of fireworks?? Maybe if Peter’s huge tree was growing dollar bills.

Alan's picture
Alan on July 3, 2003 - 17:41 Permalink

Wow — I never thought it death and mayhem accompanied the old ka-pows. And, yes, Lana, an hour. I have never thought my taxes were ill spent when I got to watch them blow up real good!

D. McKie's picture
D. McKie on July 3, 2003 - 17:53 Permalink

For some reason I feel the need to comment.

I guess what I would like to know is; what exactly is the issue? I have read all the posts and it seems there are three different issues being discussed. Let’s look at them.

First — the lack of notice about the “loud” concert. I don’t buy it. Unless you were deaf, blind and locked in a room for the last two months you knew there was a rock concert happening on the water front on July 1st. Furthermore, there has been a concert there each July 1st for the past several years. Pretending you didn’t know about it didn’t make it go away.

Second — how late the noise continued. Well, maybe my definition of late is a little skewed, but I didn’t feel that a rock concert that was almost completely wrapped up by 11pm was late. In fact I felt disappointed that the band wasn’t allowed to play until 12:00 so they could wish everyone a Happy Canada Day.

Third — the noise. Well, yes it was loud. If that is your complaint, I can’t argue. In general rock music is loud. Perhaps next year we should have mimes act out a rock concert on stage. That wouldn’t bother anyone.

I for one enjoyed the concert. It was a great celebration with a great turnout. I am not a fan of NickelBack and to be honest I would love to see a blues concert on the water front. However, the idea is to get as many people together to celebrate as is possible. That is the idea behind a festival. Rock concerts draw crowds. If you can suggest something else that would make less noise and still get as many people together to celebrate at the festival, please suggest it to the festival organizers.

Alan's picture
Alan on July 3, 2003 - 18:02 Permalink

…or post it here.

Wayne's picture
Wayne on July 3, 2003 - 20:32 Permalink

Oh, Canada…

Jeez, when will we ever get over our fear of offending somebody. I bet someone would have an issue with the mimes, and Canadians would be horrified, apologize, and swear to never do it again. Sheesh! How about polka music???

I relish the opportunity to return a compliment, Alan. I have been thinking, and must say I never thought you disliked the Island. Perhaps it is better said you might not fully understand the Kindred Spirit. I however, have the utmost admiration of the tenacity and dogged determination you have shown in your attempts to right this wrong

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