Austin police officers were making their usual rounds, keeping ACL festival patrons safe at Zilker Park, but today, they had their decibel machines to ensure the safety of everyone’s ears.

An officer who asked not to be identified said, “As long as the (soundmen) are working with us, we’ll be all right.”

When the officer took multiple readings during the Secret Machine’ Heineken Stage set, his meter reading was peaking way past 100 decibels at a little over 100 feet from the stage.

“The city ordinance says that they are not supposed to exceed 85 (decibels),” the officer said. “Right now, they are way past that. The readings just depend on the type of instruments that are being used, whether it’s a guitar or not, and the way the wind is blowing. After 10 p.m., they are not to exceed 80 (decibels).

“The best we can do is just try to manage it,” he said.

Permalink | Comments (4) | Post your comment | Categories: 2006 Scene Reports

Comments

By RP

September 18, 2006 11:53 AM | Link to this

This story is a prime example of why Austin is no longer the Live Music Capital of Anywhere. To have the cops monitoring the sound levels at the concert is just about the biggest waste of taxpayers money there is. Give me a break!.

By Bartdj

September 17, 2006 11:36 AM | Link to this

This has been my first ACL festival - one thing I’ve learned is if you can’t get to the stage early enough to get close, don’t bother. This is a shame. I left early for Van Morrison and Willie due to the poor sound. I’m camping at the Tom Petty stage early tonight so I don’t have to miss that. Seems there should be a better way to manage this.

By Tim

September 17, 2006 09:22 AM | Link to this

This is really sad, because the Secret Machines had some of the best sound I heard yesterday. As opposed to Nada Surf, whose sound was so low we left after the first song.

By CHE

September 17, 2006 12:22 AM | Link to this

And they wonder why Austin Cops have a bad reputation.