Latest news with #RockThePark

New tech at Rock the Park reduces noise for nearby residents

CBC

5 days ago

Entertainment
CBC

New tech at Rock the Park reduces noise for nearby residents

Those living in and around the downtown area may have noticed that they are no longer hearing a free Rock the Park concert from the comfort of their own home. The city is using new technology to reduce the amount of noise that travels beyond the Harris Park grounds, following ongoing feedback from neighbouring communities about the annual festival. It's called cardioid technology, according to City of London special events manager Trevor Johnson, and it helps focus the sound of the music towards the centre of the festival grounds. "There are other frequencies that are used – similar to noise reduction in your headphones – to try to reduce and shape that sound so that it is heard most loudly by the folks who are wanting to enjoy the concert and is reduced significantly for individuals outside of that," Johnson said. The strategy is new for London, which is implementing it after changes were made to the city's special events policy in December 2024 based on community feedback to reduce noise. This summer, the cardioid technology has been used at both Sunfest and Rock the Park for the first time. "This year, it's better. It's just right and listenable here," said Daphne Bice, whose back porch faces Harris Park. "We are noticing things aren't rattling on the shelves and the windows aren't rattling. We can enjoy the pleasant sound of it when we're outside and when we shut the door to the house, it doesn't come through the walls," she said. During the festival, Johnson, his team, and municipal law enforcement officers set up at different locations around the downtown area to measure the sound levels every 15 minutes. Every 50 minutes, they take the average of those measurements to ensure that the sound does not go over the 90 decibel maximum imposed by the city. "So far, we've been very pleased with the results that we're getting," he said, adding that some nearby areas are now only hearing about 75 decibels each night. Others living in the Blackfriars neighbourhood have mixed opinions about whether the festival's new approach has made a difference. "I find I'll hear it a little bit, but honestly it's been good this year," longtime resident Darren Carton said. "I don't really notice it that much. It'll just be kind of like background noise to me." Bianca Moreno and Amaranth Perez, who live two blocks away from Harris Park, say they think the music volume is about the same as previous years. "I won't normally hear it if I'm inside, but outside, I hear it like I'm close to the park," Perez said, adding that she is a music fan so doesn't mind. Johnson said the city is open to hearing feedback from Londoners who have ongoing concerns about the noise levels at music events. Meanwhile, those inside the festival grounds should not notice a volume difference, Johnson said. "It's really our goal to find the best balance between the needs of residents who enjoy large events, the residents who pay money to come to Rock the Park and those who have some concerns," he said.

Rock the Park went longer and younger and it paid off with 40,000 fans

CTV News

6 days ago

Entertainment
CTV News

Rock the Park went longer and younger and it paid off with 40,000 fans

Five nights, 24 musical acts, 40,000 music fans and hours of entertainment. Cleanup is underway at Harris Park after the 21st annual Rock the Park concluded Saturday night. 'It's the first time we've gone to five nights and the only reason we added the Tuesday was because when you get a stadium-sized artist like Hozier, you take advantage of it,' said Brad Jones of Jones Entertainment Group (JEG), the festival's founder and organizer. 'What a magical week of music overall. We experimented in the EDM (Electronic Dance Music) space and it worked really well. We tried to carve a different genre of music each night and I think we absolutely accomplished that goal.' The cleanup is much easier this year than a year ago when they had their worst night in two decades with 100mm of rain in 24 hours. ROCK THE PARK 2025 Canadian Country music duo The Reklaws perform at Rock the Park on Saturday, July 12, 2025. (Source: RTP/Bill Woodcock) The weather only provided one hiccup the entire week, and that was a small evacuation Saturday due to lightning before the acts took the stage. As Brad Gibb, program director at Virgin Radio and Pure Country, pointed out during an interview on CTV News Thursday, there were many more young people at the event this year. 'It was a strategic move this year to make sure Rock the Park is around for another 21 years,' said Jones. 'We need to make sure those 16, 18, 21-year-olds, know about Rock the Park and know you don't have to drive to Detroit and Toronto to have a great night of music.' Jones said while the festival initially started as a three-day classic rock event, they now have pivoted. ROCK THE PARK 2025 Coming off consecutive performances at Fenway Park in Boston, MA, Hozier played Rock the Park on opening night, July 8, 2025. (Source: RTP/Bill Woodcock) 'We had more 16 to 18 year olds than we've ever had and they felt safe. Their parents dropped them off at the front of the park and picked them up. That's one thing I'm proud of. London police is there to make sure people are safe and we had 80-100 guards to make people safe, but what Rock the Park is, is a community, fun, safe place to be,' added Jones. Jones will now prepare for the Rock the Runway event from Sept. 12-13 at the London International Airport, featuring superstars Noah Kahan, Myles Smith, the Strumbellas, Marshmallow, and BBNO$. 'The creation of Rock the runway is because you've got 40-50,000 students coming back to the city that are not here in the summer, so it's geared towards the students,' said Jones. Jones said RTP was offered a major artist this year but turned it down because he felt people in the 50+ demographic were not going to stand in the park for six hours. RTP has two nights already confirmed for 2026 as JEG begins planning for the 22nd annual event. 'For 2026, we will certainly be four nights again,' said Jones. 'Five nights is a lot on our staff and volunteers. This year was a success on all fronts. Great way to end it with almost 8,000 country fans enjoying the night. Perfect weather, great artists and a ton of people just loving what London loves.'