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The stadium should be used for the purpose for which it was built, not for noisy, maniacal concerts

Dear Editor,
Now that a re-energized Private Sector Commission has thrown down the gauntlet against inconsiderate and indiscriminate garbage dumping by the commercial business sector, (Stabroek Business September 4) perhaps they may consider scrutinizing a worrisome culture creeping into some sectors of the entertainment industry… excessive noise.

The Providence Stadium was developed primarily for physical sports, however residents in the immediate environs, and as far north and south as Nandy Park and Herstelling, have had to bear the brunt of serious noise pollution emanating from the occasional non-sport events staged there, such as more recently the Carifesta super concerts, some of which were extremely loud, raucous and disturbing. At the closing of Carifesta last Sunday there was a collective community sigh of relief when the final fireworks lit up the skies and the Caribbean contingents did their ‘las-lap’ around the stadium.

To our surprise and chagrin the peace and quiet of the neighbourhood were once again shattered from the following Tuesday with amplified instrumental rehearsals emanating from the stadium, and continuing through every afternoon from one to six, eventually culminating in another noisy concert on Friday, September 5, which ended at 2.50. The disrespect by the entertainers for rules and regulations and for the adjacent communities continues. And the business sponsors of these events are equally as responsible in perpetrating the train of corporate vulgarity, as the PSC so aptly described it. One would have thought that Carifesta had satisfied that appetite for quite a while. I wonder to what extent our youth is benefiting from this overdose of bacchanalian revelry. And where do they find the financial resources with the economy squeezing?

Music in mini-buses has been outlawed. I am not by any stretch of the imagination suggesting that super concerts be given similar treatment, but surely the authorities and stakeholders need to take cognizance of the deleterious effects that some of these extreme concerts have on the environments and communities in which they are conducted. In doing so ask the following questions:

-Why the maniacal screaming and shouting of the DJs or MCs?
-Why the excessive musical decibel levels, which have been known to resonate for almost a half- mile radius from the stadium?

-Why should sound systems for such small venues as we offer in Guyana be so massive, carrying powerful amplifiers requiring special transformers, and supported by up to 80 speakers?

-Are existing laws relating to time limits on concerts being recognized and enforced? (The Saturday, August 30 Super concert ended at 4.30 hrs)

-Do we need additional laws or regulations to limit decibel levels and thus protect hapless neighbourhood victims from stress, hypertension, sleeplessness, hearing disorders, and deprivation of peace and quiet?

Let us put some sanity and rationality back into our daily lives, and enjoy the stadium for the purpose it was built – activities promoting health, personal well being and good recreational fun. Noisy maniacal concerts do not fit that bill.
Yours faithfully,
(Name and address provided)

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17 Responses to “The stadium should be used for the purpose for which it was built, not for noisy, maniacal concerts”

mackydog
on September 7th, 2008 9:57 am

The saying “Payback is a Bitch” is real.

This nameless writer should not complain at all about anything being conducted at the National Stadium, be it sports, CariFestA or a culture show. Why? Because when the news that the Stadium was going to be built, it was hoped the site would be Providence of which it was. The residence were all overjoyed, the Stadium was going to bring good business, the value of every property was increased ten times over (an old house which would’ve been sold for $500,000.00 was suddenly valued at $25 million), nearly all the homes were turned into motels, hotels and bed and breakfast spots. Now the stadium is there, and what goes on goes on, this shameless no name no address complainer is bothered. What does he/she expect from the venue, no noise?

As it is,”If the Mountain can’t go to Mohamed, Mohamed must go to the Mountain”. In other words, if they can’t take it…LEAVE.
The Stadium cannot be uprooted and taken to another place just for their sake. Neither can the activities conducted at the Stadium for the benefit of the People of Guyana, culturally or entertainingly be stopped or quieted for their sake.

I want to know if the letter writer will financially support the Stadium when there are no sporting events going on. If they could, then let them do it and I will reject my post.

Until then, they should accept in harmony the bad with the good the Stadium brought.
Again, “Payback is a Bitch”.

[Reply to this]
opgy
In reply to the above comment on September 7th, 2008 1:06 pm:
“Payback is a bitch” eh. Why you don’t go live nearby. Guyana is a land of abundant loud music - give the youth time to get into their middle age, by then they’ll all need hearing aids.

Concerts are fine I have no problem with them, but the excessive volume I do!! The Police are a waste of time because they don’t do much about them - although I will say I was rather shocked that they shut down the gospel concert the other night, that had to have been a first!!

We have a noise nuisance law, lets abide by it and maybe people won’t complain about the stadium concerts as much!!

SSDD

[Reply to this]
M. Xiu Quan-Balgobind-Hackett
In reply to the above comment on September 8th, 2008 11:30 am:
OK, put aside some money to visit the audiologist or ENT specialist.

[Reply to this]
Mohamed
on September 7th, 2008 12:33 pm

So the letter writer wants the stadium to be a “White Elephant”.
Everyone wants the stadium built in their neighbourhood, and when the noise and traffic starts, they complain.
Guyana is a small poor country. Where do you want them to go?
You have one option…move.

[Reply to this]
M. Xiu Quan-Balgobind-Hackett
In reply to the above comment on September 8th, 2008 11:31 am:
Another option: enclose the stadium and soundproof it.

[Reply to this]
critik
In reply to the above comment on September 9th, 2008 12:33 pm:
I cant believe u!!! How often do we have concerts at the stadium? Weren’t all d concerts on weekends? Are we in for a 16th century entertainment in Guyana? Can d same b suggested to our Trinidadian or even Surinamese counterparts?
I’m against mid-week concerts(including Sunday nights).N what decibels are we talking about? The stadium’s at least 100 rods from anybody’s home.
Mohamed
on September 7th, 2008 12:38 pm

I do agree that open air concerts (like at teh stadium) should not go on beyond a certain time. 4:30 AM is way too late for a concert to end. There should be noise pollution laws. 11:00 - 12:00 PM seems more reasonable.

[Reply to this]
CFO
on September 7th, 2008 4:51 pm

Anywhere in the world you go, you will find super concerts. The shows Guyana put on were small compared to the 24 hour shows I’ve seen in neighbouring Trinidad. When it comes to noise, the speakers should have been repositioned so that it travels to the south-east - where there are no houses.

btw.. music on mini-buses might have been outlawed but on Friday night, a few were blasting their music as they headed to the concert. I heard the police sirens too - but they passed a blind eye to the mini buses.

[Reply to this]
Charriot
on September 7th, 2008 10:54 pm

I think it was bad planning by all involved, but to correct the noise problem they should enclose the spaces of the stadium where the noise escapes.

This write is a scrooge and needs to travel to Jamaica and see concerts that go 24/7 for emancipation celebration. This celebration is a part of the tourism entity.

The entire country embraces the loud music because it brings in lot’s of tourist and revenue.

Don’t worry when the dollars start to flow, no one will complain.

Note: If Guyana aspires to be a tourist destination, they the country has to open it’s doors in many areas to meet the many varieties of cultures across the globe.
Eg: Music, Radio, Tv, night spots, Sports, drama, etc,,,,etc.

We need more radio stations in the country so people can listen to the varieties.

If we don’t revamp these industries people will say the Guyana is boring, and once the word gets out, others will not come.

The choice is ours.

[Reply to this]
M. Xiu Quan-Balgobind-Hackett
In reply to the above comment on September 8th, 2008 11:28 am:
Put aside some money to visit your audiologist.

[Reply to this]
AsifMohamed
on September 7th, 2008 11:36 pm

I love West Indian music, but I cannot stand West Indian DJs. It don’t matter if you in NY, Guyana or the Caribbean, these guys talk half of the song.

[Reply to this]
evileyes
on September 7th, 2008 11:58 pm

they are hoping for the staduim to go belly up so they can go squat there

[Reply to this]
Satish
on September 8th, 2008 7:59 am

The writer claims the stadium was developed primarily for physical sports. I ask WHY?
Many times I have seen accusations levelled that the stadium stands unused and it is a white elephant.

The stadium should be used for whatever and whenever and those who do not like it should move to somewhere else. As mackydog says, their property is now their pot of gold - because of the stadium!!

The stadium can be a central focus for all Guyanese and petty self-interest must not be allowed to come first.
As Mohammad says however: 4.30 AM is way too late for a concert to end so there must be rules and regulations but those regulations must be practical and enforceable.

The police must have systems in place for keeping celebrations from getting out of control and may have to enlist use of water-cannons in extreme cases however once again crowd control must also be practical with cops occasionally needing to turn a blind eye to small infractions.

People should (and need to) celebrate. The stadium is perfect for this purpose.

[Reply to this]
M. Xiu Quan-Balgobind-Hackett
on September 8th, 2008 11:25 am

People, we are not talking about the TYPE of music, but the DECIBEL levels. Play whatever you want but don’t DISTURB me or make me DEAF with you! You have no right to damage my hearing! There ARE laws against noise in Guyana, but the police are NOTenforcing the laws. Even with the recent ban on music in minibuses, they still continue to play deafening music. In the near future there will be lots of hearing impaired and deaf people in Guyana. For a young person who is entering medicine I would advise them to go into audiology - you are going to make tons of money.

[Reply to this]
amen-ra
In reply to the above comment on September 8th, 2008 1:47 pm:
mr. hacket your a are funny,and right on the money.

[Reply to this]
lily
In reply to the above comment on September 8th, 2008 2:59 pm:
the law last until they cops themself broke it in 2000 guyana is indeed a nice country maybe if u fine something else to do other than complain about the music

stop thinkin about ur self for a moment u will see that the music and culture attract people on the outside

[Reply to this]
M. Xiu Quan-Balgobind-Hackett
In reply to the above comment on September 9th, 2008 12:09 pm:
It’s not ABOUT the music per se, but the LOUD DECIBEL LEVELS at which it is played. I don’t mind people playing whatever type of music they desire, just don’t force me to listen to HIGH DECIBELS! How would you feel if I force you to stare at the midday sun? Listening to LOUD music is as damaging to the ears as looking at the sun is to the eyes. Get it. Or are you DEAF already?