BREAKING NEWS: Inglewood Mayor James Butts Statement Reference the Hard Summer Complaints
In response to recent comments and concerns following HARD Summer 2024, I would like to address our residents and surrounding communities. I am providing clarity on the measures taken and our ongoing efforts to ensure a positive experience for all. Over the past 10 years Inglewood has re-emerged as a premier hub for sports and entertainment. That title comes with significant responsibility and we are committed to maintaining the highest standards. We work closely with our venues and event partners to implement and continually enhance best practices to ensure the comfort and well-being of our community and our neighbors in the South Bay cities and Los Angeles County.
We were perplexed at the sound propagation experienced in the South Bay, because there have been multiple outdoor concerts on the SoFi campus without this issue. After meeting with representatives from the event promoter and the venue, we conducted a thorough review of the modifications and changes made between Saturday and Sunday of HARD Summer, specifically in response to noise complaints from neighboring communities. It is important to clarify that the sound and vibration issues experienced over the weekend were related to certain bass frequencies. These frequencies can be affected by stage position, reflection off of buildings, and atmospheric conditions including wind. While more prevalent in certain genres of music, many genres contain these frequencies. The bass vibration was first reported from El Segundo Saturday afternoon. City authorities engaged the event promoter and the venue and implemented several critical adjustments to each stage and established enhanced monitoring plans for overall sound and bass levels. Additional sound engineers were strategically positioned in areas of concern from Saturday afternoon through Sunday and were promptly dispatched to make necessary adjustments in real time. As a result, a significant decrease in call volume was observed on Sunday in the initially impacted areas. However, some areas continued to experience bass vibrations. Moving forward, and with the lessons learned this past weekend, we are prepared to better monitor and supervise future event organizers to minimize the sound and vibration impact on the community outside the venue.
It was determined that the stage placement in the American Airlines Plaza, which is elevated, was a major contributor to the issue. Consequently, no stages will be permitted in this area for future events. Additionally, we will require even greater sound engineering with a more comprehensive plan when it comes to addressing sound and bass frequency management.
I greatly appreciate the community’s feedback and patience as we continue addressing these concerns. Our goal is to continually improve our event management practices. We are committed to strong partnership with our surrounding communities. Thank you for your patience.
