Post Malone and Jelly Roll performed at Rogers Stadium on a Tuesday night, delivering a memorable experience for fans. However, residents in the nearby North York community expressed their dissatisfaction regarding the noise levels generated by the event.
Last summer, community members raised alarms about the excessive noise, leading Live Nation to announce improvements for this concert season. Among these improvements was the replacement of the vinyl on the grandstands with new cladding, designed to contain the sound more effectively.
Despite these measures, the season opener featuring Bruno Mars brought back complaints from residents. Some who lived as far away as York Region and Vaughan also reported being disturbed by the sound levels during the performance.
Al Sillito, a resident located within four kilometers of the stadium, mentioned, “It was incredibly loud; I could hear every single word Bruno said.” He described the vibrations from the music, stating that he could feel the "boom, boom, boom" through his windows. Sillito further informed CityNews that city officials confirmed the noise during the Tuesday concert was the peak level for the year.
In response to the complaints, Live Nation issued a statement clarifying that the sound levels during the concert did not surpass permitted limits or violate any bylaw requirements. The statement mentioned, “We continuously monitor sound levels, and independent Municipal Licensing Officers are onsite and in surrounding communities to ensure compliance with permitted limits.”
Local Councillor James Pasternak acknowledged the community's concerns and stated that he is aware of the noise issue. While emphasizing that sound levels could be within legal limits, he pointed out that this does not equate to community approval. He aims to find a balance and intends to propose a motion to city council. This motion would initiate collaboration between the city staff and the stadium for implementing additional noise mitigation strategies.
Pasternak shared some potential solutions being considered, which include integrating noise-absorbing materials on the upper tiers of the stadium and constructing a berm across the lands east of the stadium. He also highlighted the venue's positive impact on the local economy, noting it employs around one thousand individuals.
