HAPPENING NOW: West Seattle Beer and Music Festival, night 1

Bonny August 24, 2018 (9:08 pm)

The music is so loud. We live nearby and even with our windows close we are still bothered by the noise. Hope the organizers are more considerate of surrounding neighbors!

Molly August 24, 2018 (9:10 pm)

I get that this is for a good cause, but this event is sandwiched between two HUGE residential buildings. The music is so loud none of my children can sleep…and I have to put up with this for 3 days? Nap times and sleep schedules are so screwed…as is my sanity. Someone was very thoughtless in setting up this event!!!!’

WSB August 24, 2018 (9:13 pm)

You should be able to contact the organizers directly – contact info is at:
https://westseattlebeerfest.com/contact-us/

Jamie August 24, 2018 (9:22 pm)

I tried their emails but 2 of the 3 aren’t working, convenient for them since they don’t have to be sleepless from the noise. I have to be up at 3am for work. This is my sleep time, jerks! How can you put on a festival in the parking lot by large residential buildings?
- Nancy August 25, 2018 (8:05 am)
  
  It’s weird how all of these emails complaining seem to be written in the same manner, at about the same time, saying the same thing, and with similar names (Bonny, Molly, Kelly, Jamie).As for the emails you said you tried… What do mean they “aren’t working”? There is a contact form right on the page WSB linked…. The event even is on Twitter, how can you be failing to get a message to them?Finally, try ear-plugs. If you have to be up at 3AM, let’s suppose you try to be asleep around 8pm? Do you really expect your neighborhood to be quiet at 8pm on a Friday night?!?! You are the nuttiest/worst troll I’ve come across in a long time on this blog. Just shoo!
  - Laurie August 25, 2018 (8:56 pm)
    
    I completely agree that this was an odd place to have a festival with music blasting as loud as it is. My daughter is two and is trying to sleep…the windows are shaking and I have white noise in with the fan at top speed. There’s no way she’s falling asleep. This is just ridiculous. I’m almost tempted to go down there with her and ask gem to turn it down! 😂

Katrina August 24, 2018 (9:14 pm)

This is horrible! I live in the apartment building next to this event and the music is SO LOUD that I can’t sleep and neither can my family. The organizers are completely RUDE and SELFISH for not thinking about the hundreds of people that live on either side of this parking lot in a RESIDENTIAL neighborhood.

Ohmy August 24, 2018 (11:09 pm)

@katrina and all the others writing the exact same sentiment, but with different names- alki Masons is NOT in a residential area! In fact, it’s basically the center of the largest commercial area in west Seattle. You may recognize other adjacent buildings such as LA fitness, Safeway, BP, bartells, QFC, les schwab, etc- all sandwiched between fauntleroy, Alaska, and California ave. So, just because they built some new condos there, this is an urban commercial area, and has been for about a hundred years. If this event has ruined your weekend, and your children require dead silence on a Friday at 8 or 9pm- this may not be the optimal area for you to live ..
- Chris d August 24, 2018 (11:47 pm)
  
  Well said Ohmy, couldn’t have said it better. Give me a break with all this complaining. Move to your the peninsula for Christ sakes.
- Monika August 25, 2018 (6:05 am)
  
  i live in a small apartment (built 30+ years ago) across the street from this and my entire apartment was vibrating due to the excessive noise. there have been live music events at the pot shop and we can barely hearbit, especially if we close the doors and windows. this festivals noise is too much.
  - Nancy August 25, 2018 (9:52 am)
    
    You might want to consider better windows or soundproofing in your apartment. The area will only get noisier.
    - Monika August 25, 2018 (12:31 pm)
      
      A developer bought my property, so I’ll likely be out when they jack the rent at the end of my lease… also as a tenant you can’t really change the windows/soundproofing (do you know how apartments work???)
    - WSB August 25, 2018 (1:11 pm)
      
      Just for the record, our first story about it was on July 10th.
      https://westseattleblog.com/2018/07/first-ever-west-seattle-beer-music-festival-set-for-next-month/
      
      It was announced/planned earlier than that. I don’t know what permits are required if an event is being held on private property, not closing a street, etc., so I don’t know whether the city Special Events Office was involved at all. – TR
    - Nancy August 25, 2018 (1:17 pm)
      
      Dear Monika,I’ve never lived in an apartment where I wasn’t able to get the landlord’s blessing to make improvements. Sometimes if you go to them and explain the situation they’ll even chip in to help. But, as you said, maybe that is pointless since you’ll be moving soon.
    - Oliver August 25, 2018 (2:03 pm)
      
      Nancy- are you involved with the event in some way?
    - Nancy August 25, 2018 (2:37 pm)
      
      Oliver, nope.I didn’t even attend, not really my cup of tea.
    - Laurie August 25, 2018 (9:01 pm)
      
      You clearly aren’t being affected by it, Nancy. I’m all for events and supporting a good cause. But I’m on the sixth floor, and my windows and shaking. I’m trying to put my two year old to sleep. I’m guessing you’ve never had kids and don’t know how much one hour can throw off a little one’s sleep schedule nor do you have the empathy to care. The windows and soundproofing in this building are great, btw. This is just a bit too much- inconsiderate and careless.
    - Nancy August 26, 2018 (12:47 pm)
      
      No, I have kids. And maybe I’ve just been lucky but when they were two neither of my kids would mind being in bed a couple hours later once in a blue moon. Kids adapt, kids adjust, and the world is chaotic and sometimes noisy–it’s just the way it is. What they would pick up on, and what would upset them, is if I was grumpy or unhappy or annoyed–kids pick up on moods of those around them–but if there were loud noises or construction or fireworks they’d just look to me and if I took it easy so would they. Glad to hear you have great windows and great soundproofing, sorry your two-year-old is suffering from all of the outside noises.

Kelly August 24, 2018 (9:15 pm)

Totally agree with Molly and Bonny. I live in the building right in front of the lodge and the music is VERY bothersome. And we have TWO MORE DAYS of this event and my weekend is pretty much screwed. They need to dial it down a bit. Hopefully next year they find a spot that does not have residential buildings right nearby.

Toan August 24, 2018 (9:21 pm)

The music is too loud. I even feel the bass when touching the door. I hope the organizers consider moving it indoors at night. This is particularly challenging when we have an infant and a toddler.

LaShaun August 24, 2018 (9:26 pm)

I agree with my other neighbors: this event is in a residential neighborhood, and it is way too loud. This is ruining my weekend, my sleep, and my son’s sleep. Plus, he autistic and can’t deal with all this noise.

Edmunds and 41st August 24, 2018 (9:35 pm)

The event ends at 10pm. Just hang in there people.

Frank August 24, 2018 (9:43 pm)

This event has already ruined our evening and my kids can’t sleep because it’s too loud. They better fix this by tomorrow! Move it inside!
- Nancy August 25, 2018 (7:56 am)
  
  If music ruined your evening that says more about you than the festival.Kids can’t sleep because of music? Get them out of bed and have a pajama dance party! It’s a Friday night, lighten up! psIf your kids are sleepy enough they ought to be able to sleep through ANYTHING. You live in a city. It will be noisy. Get used to it. And get your kids used to it.

Quora August 24, 2018 (9:36 pm)

Wait…I live up in Admiral. Can someone let me know if they are playing loud music?

jissy August 24, 2018 (9:37 pm)

Why don’t you all gather together, walk over to the event, find someone in charge and ask them to TURN IT DOWN! Not likely during the busy-ness of the event taking place that they are going to read about your complaints here. Or call the Police Non-Emerg. line … all of you, there is strength in numbers. It is a “first-ever” event, just go talk to them!

Jessica August 24, 2018 (9:47 pm)

Easier said then done when you are alone with 3 upset kids, one of whose has a sensory disorder and going TOWARDS the noise is not going to make it better. I did call the police non-emergency line, thanks!

Khan August 24, 2018 (9:40 pm)

I hope the organizers read these comments and move the event inside, or at least move the music inside for the next two days. It is disruptive to my family and I am very angry about it.

Steven Henry August 24, 2018 (9:41 pm)

I live all the way up in Fairmont Park near Camp Long and the music is pretty audible even though we have all the windows closed due to the smoke.

Fairmount Park Resident August 24, 2018 (10:05 pm)

It is very loud indeed! Much louder than when Summerfest had a stage up at California and Edmunds last year (only 3 blocks away). I wonder if being down in the ‘canyon’ between the two hills makes the sound bounce around and sound even louder? I sure hope we all communicate the feedback that this venue is not be the best place for such a loud event. Thanks for posting the link for us to send it WSB!

Dirtfoot August 24, 2018 (10:05 pm)

WSB, do we know who issued the permit for this event? This is unacceptably loud and I live like 4 blocks away. I can only imagine how unbearably loud it is for the poor folks right next to the event. Aren’t there decibel restrictions and noise ordinances that need to be followed? Is this ‘fest’ really gonna be allowed to go on for 2 more nights? Any info about permitting or city noise ordinance/restrictions would be much appreciated! Just need to bark up the right tree.

EKE August 24, 2018 (10:11 pm)

This is the rudest festival ever! Why is this in a residential area? The music should be INSIDE THE BUILDING! There is NO respect by the organizers or by the Alki Lodge!Yes, we all love WestSide Baby but I wonder how much money they will actually get, and after such an awful weekend for us…So tomorrow is 12 hours nonstop and Sunday the noise lasts until 6:00…

nancy August 25, 2018 (10:45 am)

We might have different definitions of “residential area.”

Fauntleroy August 24, 2018 (10:16 pm)

Loud is an understatement. This is a small mason lodge parking lot gig not a large stadium event. The summer festival in the junction isn’t this loud. P.S. No one wants to hear tired indie rock at anywhere near this volume.

Dirtfoot August 24, 2018 (10:28 pm)

For those of you who live right next door to this and had to suffer through it. https://www.seattle.gov/special-events-office/handbook/outdoor-amplified-soundI live about 4 blocks away and the decibel level was beyond ridiculous. I can only imagine how insanely loud it was for those that live next to the event location. With the sound being amplified in between those 2 buildings, there’s no way that they are within their permitted decibel levels. Call the city and complain, I did. I requested their presence tomorrow to measure the decibel levels and to verify that the event staff have the appropriate decibel monitoring equipment in place.

Bowie August 25, 2018 (6:19 am)

What is the number to call so we can all call it? Origins has live music all the time and it is cool because it isn’t at a deafening level. This was ridiculous and disrespectfully loud…I felt my door vibrating!
Seaweed August 25, 2018 (9:23 am)

“Urban Village”

West Seattle Hipster August 24, 2018 (10:35 pm)

Sounds like my kind of party!! Looking forward to the next 2 days, I love West Seattle!

Chris d August 24, 2018 (11:53 pm)

Right on Pool WF. What a bunch of bummer neighbors, what happened to West Seattle. Used to be fun.

Markus August 24, 2018 (10:51 pm)

Fantastic event! Nice work to the team and organizers who put the event on! You’ll always have the nimbys complaining about the noise, but it’s great to have a real music event in West Seattle! Looking forward to more.

Sober August 24, 2018 (11:36 pm)

@markus- they can’t be nimbys, because they don’t have back yards! (And, all these bitter complaints sound suspiciously similar..) “They” live in brand new modern condo buildings that market to an urban city experience and lifestyle- maybe they didn’t see the brochure!? I hope the fire station across the street doesn’t get called out after 8!!
- WSB August 25, 2018 (10:46 am)
  
  Datapoint for accuracy – there are no new condo buildings in the area. Hundreds of units have been built around Fauntleroy/Edmunds in recent years, and hundreds more are on the way, but they are all apartments. (And a few blocks further south, townhouses.) The fire station moved back to 37th/Alaska a year ago. – TR
  - KM August 25, 2018 (11:18 am)
    
    It sounds like apartment buildings provide housing for families after all, not just “tech bros.”

Pool WF August 24, 2018 (11:36 pm)

Great work by the organizers, very impressive event!! Can’t wait for the next two days. Awesome music and very fun way to end the summer.

Elle Nell August 25, 2018 (4:56 am)

Wow— I live no where near this event and absolutely LOVE loud music but am so shocked at the rude and self absorbed comments on here… in order to BE a community we have to act like one, in which RESPEcT for our neighbors should be first…. enough of the entitled comments. It’s ugly.

Pete Moss August 25, 2018 (5:55 am)

I hope it rains!

Mmarie August 25, 2018 (6:38 am)

It’s ironic that babies can’t sleep because of noise from an event that is supposed to help an agency serving babies and children! What percentage of proceeds is going to WSbaby anyway?

Cranky Westie August 25, 2018 (8:19 am)

Dagnabit! Hey you masonic kids! Get off my lawn!

Leave, then August 25, 2018 (8:42 am)

Newsflash: you’re living in “the center of the largest commercial area in west Seattle. You may recognize other adjacent buildings such as LA fitness, Safeway, BP, bartells, QFC, les schwab, etc- all sandwiched between fauntleroy, Alaska, and California ave. So, just because they built some new condos there, this is an urban commercial area, and has been for about a hundred years. If this event has ruined your weekend, and your children require dead silence on a Friday at 8 or 9pm- this may not be the optimal area for you to live ..”..perhaps if enough folks look to live in silence elsewhere, our rents may return to a reasonable level… Fingers crossed.

Ivory August 25, 2018 (9:27 pm)

I disagree. I’ve lived in Chicago, San Francisco, and LAand have NEVER experienced anything like this. Weat seattle is is a sleepy little town! 😂

Jason August 25, 2018 (9:09 am)

We decided to basically evacuate to a hotel for the weekend and want to send the bill to the inconsiderate organizers. (Yea, I know how far that’ll go.) With an apartment that literally overlooks this debacle, I’ve never heard something so unbearably and intolerably loud – made all the worse by the fact it’s all violently amplified by the RESIDENTIAL buildings on 3 sides. For all those preaching about what a cool event it is, I’m sure it is if you’re there swimming beers for a few hours. But try having it directly under your window almost nonstop for THREE DAYS.Great event, disastrous and disrespectful location choice. Class action, anyone??

singularname August 25, 2018 (3:45 pm)

you are ridiculous …
- My two cents ... August 26, 2018 (3:07 pm)
  
  ridiculous? will see and raise you a double ridiculous! hotel? “THREE DAYS” (as it is non-stop music). Sheesh – talk about C-R-A-N-KY

Lee August 25, 2018 (9:29 am)

Glad that a few people are enjoying themselves, but this event is far too loud for this residential block. The amps are blasting music loud way too loud for a family neighborhood.Here’s a list of the event’s sponsors: https://westseattlebeerfest.com/sponsor/I encourage everyone to let the sponsor’s of this event know how they feel. It’s fine to use that parking lot for summer events, but it’s just not cool to ruin the weekend for every family in a two block radius.

MJ August 25, 2018 (9:42 am)

Loud music does not equate to good music. My experience is that less skilled musicians compensate via cranking up the volume. A skilled musician does not need to over amplify their music!And bass sounds travel and make sleeping difficult!

EMO August 25, 2018 (11:00 am)

This event has been scheduled for months now, if I lived in the area, I would have prepared properly or mentioned my concerns before being inconvenienced. My friends and family went last night and it was fun, well put together, and community-based. None of the music had crude lyrics, it was mostly jazz. We live on Alki, we knew Sub Pop 30 was going to happen, we prepared, we had fun. No problem. Too many people are complaining when they could make the best of a unique situation. You are the reason Seattle is becoming boring and regressive. Please move or become flexible.

Monika August 25, 2018 (12:28 pm)

There was not any public promotion other than a few posters up at local bars (nothing mentioning that the music would be outdoors or as loud as it was). The folks in the neighborhood are used to events at the masonic lodge (inside and rarely an issue), events at the pot shop (outdoors and never loud enough to send visible ripples through my aquarium). Glad other folks are enjoying the festivities, but you didn’t have to be up at 4am for work, have children that needed to be sleeping, or tried to have a conversation with your spouse.
- KM August 25, 2018 (4:42 pm)
  
  FWIW, it was on the local news (Q13) and mentioned on WSB at least twice. I imagine there was other promotion as well.
- Mike August 25, 2018 (7:28 pm)
  
  They’ve been advertising the event for months. I don’t even watch TV or listen to local radio or frequent much outside of 3-4 places in West Seattle and knew about it.

chris ryan August 25, 2018 (11:32 am)

Surprised festival was held in neighborhood (outside) but someone OK it … NIMBYs call your city councilor .. that’s their job to listen to you .

Monika August 25, 2018 (12:29 pm)

The response I received from my complaint with them directly:West Seattle Beer & Music Festival We’re working with local community officials to ensure this event is produced in a considerate and safe manner. Thank you for your feedback!

Brian August 25, 2018 (12:42 pm)

If you can’t handle the noise before 10PM on a weekend then city life isn’t for you. Time for you to move to the suburbs. This event is is great for the community and brining people together. Sounds like the only ones complaining are those lonely folks holed up in their apartment on a Friday night. Try something new and live a little!!!

Larry August 25, 2018 (1:36 pm)

I am a parent and a teacher. While I appreciate the complaints about the noise, etc…It does end at 10:00….Live a little……go and embrace it…..I also teach and love music.

Heather August 25, 2018 (2:06 pm)

WOW! Every single morning I get woken up my Harley’s coming off the ferry, or semi’s driving down Fauntleroy, and fireworks on the 4th of July at Fairmont Playfield until 3:00am! I could go on! Get over it people! You live in a city! House happens. If you want quite, move somewhere outside the city or to a residential neighborhood.

Onion August 25, 2018 (4:44 pm)

I am extremely dismayed at the lack of empathy for our neighbors, especially who have children and those who need rest before heading off to work. A number of these buildings are new, and my guess is that they are helping amplify the sound waves. I hope the organizers are listening and think of ways to mitigate the volume.

Mike August 25, 2018 (6:23 pm)

Didn’t realize my grandma managed to clone herself 20 times, move to the urban business district of West Seattle, and frequent the neighborhood with dumb complaints about loud music that ends at 10pm on a weekend.impressive!

yolo August 25, 2018 (7:10 pm)

Let the ordeals begin. Hope to survive another night of crazily loud and bad music…

BelvidereMom August 25, 2018 (7:20 pm)

I’m genuinely sorry for the neighbors, especially the kids, who are disturbed by the noise. Having said that, it’s hard to sympathize with comments implying the festival is a direct and personal attack on their health and happiness. The organizers of this event didn’t design it to upset you. It seems likely that the sound is bouncing off of all the buildings surrounding the parking lot, instead of dissipating as it would were the venue level with the buildings around it (like the stages on California Ave. during Summerfest). Having previously lived near Lincoln Park, I’m very familiar with this phenomenon. The Harleys coming off the ferry at 6am reverberate at db’s undoubtedly higher than the music at this festival (and at a time prohibited by the city’s sound ordinance). Have any of the disturbed neighbors stopped by and spoken to people who look like they’re in charge? Told them, “Hey, I know this is a community event promoting local businesses and helping a local charity, and this is the first year you’ve put it on, but I’m not sure you realize how loud it is up in these apartments.” I bet they would give you an apology and a beer.

fiz August 25, 2018 (8:05 pm)

It is in the wrong venue. Please put it somewhere more open in the future.

DM August 25, 2018 (10:09 pm)

To all the folks complaining. Seriously…You are paying premium rent to live in an “urban village”, and feel the need to complain about a festival that ends at 10pm on a weekend. Your entitlement is what drains cities of culture. There’s so much expanse west of the Rockies for you to take your brood and live in a quiet little neck of the woods, foraging for berries, and whittling wood crafts for your quilt making club…but I’d bet your uptight — would find some to complain about there too….these crickets are so loud!!!improve your life.improve our life.move away. It’s a win/win!This was the best festival that I’ve been to in west Seattle, and I can’t wait until next year!

Frenzied August 25, 2018 (11:58 pm)

I’m sorry- I cannot believe there are this many relentlessly whining, vengeful, and entitled young families with special needs toddlers and Saturday 4am shift working parents whose lives have been destroyed by outdoor music at 8pm on an August Friday- living in these apts?!? I will not accept that there are multiple people experiencing this level of devastation, with this perspective- so bent on quashing this event and exacting revenge. I just don’t buy it. all these complaints are from the same person. They have to be. Another thing- how loud can the music (jazz?) possibly be?!! It’s a $45 to $85 a ticket benefit? These are not headbangers! I saw the pics- was there anyone there under 40? Will these people suffer ear bleeding deafening music while noshing on gourmet bites matched with crafted beers and alcohol?i seriously call BS on these rabid complaints..

Monika August 26, 2018 (8:43 am)

I dont live in one of those brand new apartments (there are other buildings in the neighborhood, including a whole street of single family homes on 40th). I dont think anyone wanted the festival shut down, just the music turned down.Inside my apartment, which all the windows and doors closed, I got to listen to a DJ last night pound hits from the 90s at 88-96 decibels on my partners reader. His job says they have to wear hearing protection at 80dbs. That’s the inconsiderate part. The music could have been enjoyed by the attendees just as much if it were at a reasonable level.Origins has events all the time, never an issue… any Junction festival, not an issue… this one rattled my windows, my walls, and even the water in my fish tank. I’m not some old fuddy duddy; this was an event we were going to attend before my job said nope, you need to be here at 530am Saturday morning.

Roam Hughes August 26, 2018 (6:51 am)

We live at 41st and Brandon. The music was audible outside, but we are three long blocks away. We walked by Saturday night. Looked like people were having fun. I have to agree that it seemed a bit loud, but it’s only until 10pm. It is a city on a Saturday, after all. We weren’t into the DJs set so we didn’t go in.Did people complain about Sub Pop? I hope not because it was fantastic.

Nancy August 26, 2018 (12:36 pm)

How dare you be a voice of reason?

WSBest August 26, 2018 (11:06 am)

So excited to have something like this out here. It adds culture and fun to our otherwise sleep peninsula.

MsD August 26, 2018 (9:54 pm)

This is so ridiculous. For everyone living in those huge apartment complexes complaining about 2-1/2 days of noise, just realize that people living around you had to deal with deafening noise, dust and trash for YEARS while your buildings were being built.