Sweden Rock Disputes Noise Violation Fines

The promoters of the annual Sweden Rock Festival have denied a report in the Swedish daily newspaper Aftonbladet that they are to penalise five bands, because the festival is to be fined 250,000 SEK (about £25,000) for noise violations.

It has been suggested that the festival organisers will pass on the fine to Rage, The Outlaws, Witchcraft, Hysterica and Trace Nine, whom they blame for going over the limit. However, an official statement from Martin Forssman, Sweden Rock’s press manager, aims to put the record straight.

“I just wanted to let you know that the Aftonbladet story is wrong. The reporter did an interview with me but misunderstood a few things and drew his own conclusions.

“First of all, the fine has not gone through yet, and it is far from certain that it will. Secondly, not all the mentioned bands were using their own sound technicians (all bands and technicians were however informed of the rules and there was measuring equipment at all the mixing towers). Naturally, whatever happens, we will not hold bands who did not bring their own sound techs responsible for those violations.

“Swedish authorities allow a 97 dB average with 110 dB peaks on events that are open to children under 13 — such as the Sweden Rock Festival. Unfortunately, measuring sound levels is not as exact as measuring speed or temperature since they are greatly affected by wind, air humidity etc. We hope this will be taken into consideration when the final decision regarding the fines is made.”