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Diari Valencià

Valencia Festivals Seek Alternatives Due to Noise Regulations

Decibel restrictions at the Ciutat de les Arts force promoters to consider new locations such as Torrent, Mislata, or Cheste.

Generic image of a decibel meter in a festival environment, indicating noise concerns.
IA

Generic image of a decibel meter in a festival environment, indicating noise concerns.

A judicial ruling limiting noise at the Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències has compelled organizers of major festivals to seek alternative venues, both within and outside the city of València, to continue holding their events.

The staging of festivals such as Love the 90’s, I Love Reggaeton, Festival de les Arts, and BigSound at the Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències (CACSA) is becoming complicated. A judicial ruling and CACSA's request to the courts to maintain the events with a plan guaranteeing compliance with the municipal noise pollution ordinance, opens the door to the search for new locations.
Current conditions, as informed by the Generalitat and CACSA to promoters, involve not exceeding 85 decibels within the venue and ensuring that no more than 45 nocturnal or 55 diurnal decibels reach nearby homes. These parameters make it very difficult to optimally hold a festival, as the sound would be closer to "background music" than a full-fledged event, potentially affecting audience experience and artist participation.
A typical festival usually emits between 108 and 110 decibels. The difference with the 90-decibel limit, equivalent to the noise of a domestic hairdryer, is significant. This restriction would quadruple the perceived volume for the audience and necessitate the installation of limiters that would cut the music whenever the limit was exceeded, preventing the proper functioning of the events.
Within València, one option would be La Marina Sur, the only venue that could host events with 15,000 to 20,000 daily attendees, were it not for ongoing works limiting capacity to 14,000 people. This would complicate festivals like Festival de les Arts or BigSound, which require two stages, unless La Marina Nord is also utilized. Another alternative would be the Levante UD stadium, the Ciutat de València, with a maximum concert capacity of around 13,000 spectators, a figure deemed insufficient for some festivals.
Outside València, the Parc Central de Torrent, spanning 26,000 square meters, could be a viable alternative. This space has already hosted events such as The Burger Cup, Rockejat Festival, and Germanor Fest. The Recinto Ferial de Mislata, with 14,000 square meters, is also an option, having hosted concerts with nearly 20,000 spectators. Both locations, in the metropolitan area, are accessible by metro or car from València.
Further from the city, the Ricardo Tormo de Cheste circuit offers an even larger space. More than a decade ago, a concert at this venue hosted over 50,000 fans, making it a strong option for large-scale festivals, given the uncertain future of their current location.

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