Featured image credit: Real Madrid
Spain’s music promoters have hit back after Real Madrid officials accused them of causing the row that led to the Santiago Bernabéu stadium cancelling all forthcoming concerts.
In September, Real was forced to reschedule upcoming concerts at the Bernabéu to comply with local noise pollution regulations. The club put the blame on music promoters for the lawsuit from a local residents’ group, filed in a Madrid court, which led to the ban.
In response, the Association of Music Promoters (APM), which represents hundreds of promoters, said it believes that it is the venue’s management who must guarantee that the venue is adequately equipped for the events held there.
Since last April, promoters who have organised concerts at the Santiago Bernabéu have received fines amounting to €801,000 for exceeding the noise limits, according to APM.
“In recent months, music promoters who have organised events or booked dates at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium have been exposed to cancellations of their bookings and financial penalties, causing serious harm to the public, artists, promoter companies and workers in the sector involved,” APM said.
“The latest statements accusing music promoters of being responsible for noise violations at concerts held in the stadium are generating a climate of mistrust in our sector, a sector responsible for both promoting the culture of live music in our country and positioning the Spain brand in the ranking of countries with the greatest cultural activity of live music in Europe.”
Responsibility lies with the venue
The group added: “Music promoters have no control over the structure, fittings or soundproofing of a venue. All events held at the Santiago Bernabéu stadium have had the relevant permits and authorisations and have been managed in direct collaboration with the stadium’s management.
“The responsibility for acoustically conditioning a venue falls on those responsible for it, ensuring that the space complies with sound levels before it is used for live music concerts.”
APM said it is concerned that the standoff could negatively impact Madrid’s position as a European cultural hub. It noted that major concerts featuring the likes of Taylor Swift have attracted thousands of music fans to Spain’s capital, generated a positive economic impact for sectors such as hospitality, commerce and tourism.
“Madrid deserves to be a capital that hosts large-scale cultural events, respecting both the coexistence of neighbours and the vitality of its cultural sector so that this activity does not cease,” the group said.
“We, the music promoters, will continue to work for an open and culturally active city, while waiting for the actions that unfairly affect an industry that only seeks to contribute to the development and well-being of Madrid to cease.”
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