Unfortunately for Wavefront Music Festival in Chicago this year, the bass music that draws the masses like a siren’s wail could also be the sound that seals its fate. After festival organizers chose to expand the event to 3 days last year instead of 2 as in its debut and doubled the number of stages to incorporate over 44 more live acts, the success was more than locals were ready to accept.
Complaints regarding last years event include everything from immovable traffic to unbearable noise to paintings vibrating off the walls at local parks. Then to add to the commotion, the event is expected to take place during independence day weekend – which is one of the busiest times of the year for the city even without accommodating the influx of thousands of music loving travelers.
Council president, Ellen Isaacson, has gone on record to state that her group hasn’t decided whether to support Wavefront and is awaiting reports from sound engineers and the results of sound tests aimed at determining how to avoid the noise problems of last year.
Festival organizers, 4 Headed Productions, have responded that they will reduce the number of stages and reconfigure the speakers to better manage the event’s noise pollution and also mentioned that the festival could be downsized “by about half.” A plan to redirect the traffic congestion is also in the works but has not been solidified yet.
Alderman, Harry Osterman, for the city of Chicago has stated that although he recognizes the event has benefited the city in some ways, he will not support its return until organizers can present a revised plan that addresses their concerns about the impact it has on the community. They are set to meet within the next two weeks but Isaacson has gone on to state that despite the effort being put forth to rectify the situation, she still has doubts as whether the changes can be implemented in time.
“It’s not like they’re ignoring the community,” she said. “So I have to give them props for that, but whether or not they’re going to be able to solve all these problems — I’m not so sure.”
Neither group has commented on what this will mean for the 5-year, $1 million contract that Wavefront Music Festival currently holds with the Chicago Park District should the event lose the city’s approval after only 2 consecutive years. Right now, we can only hope that the support of restaurants, hotels, and nightclubs along with the insurgence of tax dollars into the local economy will be enough to sway the verdict in Wavefront’s favor so the show may go on. Updates on this story will be available as soon as they are released.
Photo Credit – Sapan Ahuja
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