Sun, friends, nature and music: about 10,000 people danced and celebrated at the open-air festival “Schall im Schilf” on the shore of Lake Garching the weekend before last. The festival for electronic music, which emerged twelve years ago from a high school graduation, enjoys great popularity among music fans in the region because it is so close to nature, takes place in the open air and has retained family traits. But not all residents enjoyed the concerts equally.
15 citizens asked them independently about the volume at the festival, says Daniela Rieth, who sits on the city council for the Greens. Between 12 noon and 1 am, shreds of the very bass-heavy music echoed from the venue far into the city. Some found the roaring and pounding extremely annoying, Rieth sums up the complaints. And she wonders whether the relationship between the right to celebrate and the need for rest is right. “Party yes, events like this have to happen and I have a lot of understanding for the young people in particular after these two years of Corona break. But I think you have to find ways to combine needs in a meaningful way so that flora, fauna and neighbors don’t suffer unnecessarily,” says the Green City Councilor. It might be possible to improve noise protection or have the next festival take place in a hall.
With the modern loudspeaker systems, attempts are being made to direct the sound to the stages, says Gabriel Schneider from the organizer Kellerkindmusik. We are in good contact with the authorities and have complied with all requirements. “And we make sure that the music ends at one o’clock sharp,” says Schneider. The organizers draw a very positive balance of the festival. No incidents were reported by the police either.
Schneider shows understanding for residents who feel disturbed by the bass. After a two-year break, many are perhaps no longer used to loud music. In addition, it was windy on the day of the event, so the sound could of course have been carried further than intended. At the same time, Schneider is also promoting tolerance with a view to the upcoming “Back to the Woods” festival on August 27 at the Garching research campus: “We hold our festivals on two afternoons and two evenings a year.” Everyone is invited to come and see for themselves, for example during the set-up, that the festivals are more than just a booming beat.