Sound Policies

[1durphul]

I wasn't there this year, so I'm curious how the new sound policies effected the relationship of dance music art cars to the playa. What was your first hand experience?

[maladroit]

Far fewer cars deep in the city with systems at full blast, but if you wanted to go out and find a car playing really loud, it was easy to find. A couple of art pieces (like the big spiny LED sea urchin thing) attracted some art car dance parties. There were loud systems at the Man burn but the loudest ones near me were not loud enough to keep me from hearing the drummers during fire conclave. Cars like Mayan Warrior and Candy Mountain had louder systems and better music than some of the large 10 or 2 sound camps. Candy Mountain specifically had some DJs that were getting people to jump so hard it looked like it was about to fall over.

[Ano]

I'm a well adjusted music-lover who spends a good amount of time building an awesome camp and volunteering around the city. I stand firmly on the side of music-is-good-for-burning-man, DJ'd or live. I make it a point to go out dancing all night at least once. I was ambivalent-but-hopeful about the DMZ, going in to it

The DMZ was a very awesome addition to the city. Deep Playa was utterly transformed by the lack of massive parties everywhere - in a good way. There were still art cars parked out on open playa and outside the DMZ, but they didn't stick around long enough to create a problem. The huge white party that Opulent Temple kept mobile this year didn't disrupt the open playa like it did in 2013. The need for these parties to keep moving to avoid trouble was a good thing, in my book.

The DMZ was spread out enough to retain the "gotta-go-hunt-for-that-one-art-car!" vibe that keeps certain art cars special. Year after year, art cars continue to dominate the spectrum with the best music and best crowds, save for a certain few art cars that continue to retain their douche-tronic-ness, despite their good music. The DMZ being littered with porto-potties was excellent, and every major car seemed to strategically place themselves near some banks. It did not at all feel like 10/2 with overlapping sound systems.

It was nice to be able to have a truly quiet and introspective deep playa experience outside the DMZ. In fact, it was actually QUIET throughout most of the deep playa! That was an AWESOME change.

[1durphul]

I'm a well adjusted music-lover who spends a good amount of time building an awesome camp and volunteering around the city. I stand firmly on the side of music-is-good-for-burning-man, DJ'd or live. I make it a point to go out dancing all night at least once. I was ambivalent-but-hopeful about the DMZ, going in to it

The DMZ was a very awesome addition to the city. Deep Playa was utterly transformed by the lack of massive parties everywhere - in a good way. There were still art cars parked out on open playa and outside the DMZ, but they didn't stick around long enough to create a problem. The huge white party that Opulent Temple kept mobile this year didn't disrupt the open playa like it did in 2013. The need for these parties to keep moving to avoid trouble was a good thing, in my book.

The DMZ was spread out enough to retain the "gotta-go-hunt-for-that-one-art-car!" vibe that keeps certain art cars special. Year after year, art cars continue to dominate the spectrum with the best music and best crowds, save for a certain few art cars that continue to retain their douche-tronic-ness, despite their good music. The DMZ being littered with porto-potties was excellent, and every major car seemed to strategically place themselves near some banks. It did not at all feel like 10/2 with overlapping sound systems.

It was nice to be able to have a truly quiet and introspective deep playa experience outside the DMZ. In fact, it was actually QUIET throughout most of the deep playa! That was an AWESOME change.

Wow that's some positive feedback. I hope you send this to the feedback email address at BMorg.

[FIGJAM]

This was the first year I could hear sound MVs at the Man clear out on I&5!!!!!!!

[Captain Goddammit]

There were still cars rolling through the city streets blasting well in excess of the sound policy rules - camps too - because there's really little to no enforcement of those rules.
But fuck it, it's Burning Man. There's noise.

[Dr. Pyro]

But fuck it, it's Burning Man. There's noise.

I agree Captain that there's noise, but those assholes over at BAAAAHS took it to extremes over and over again. They'd play their shitty dubstep or psytrance or whatever the hell it was all hours of the night and day (remember, we were at 7:00 and Ersatz, not exactly where the sound/dance camps should be located) and when we complained, they called us homophobic and turned the shit up even louder, got on their amplified megaphone and "apologized" for an hour at the top volume attainable. I'm a pretty tolerant guy, but if we're placed anywheres near BAAAAHS next year it's going to be a war.

[some seeing eye]

There are unconfirmed reports that the sound policy is phasing in - see Panda camp. Personally I would like to see sound camps banished from the interior of the city. It may be that complaints from previous years influence, so suggest providing feedback with specifics on anoying sound at this year's BMORG feedback address.

[Captain Goddammit]

Yeah Doc I can see where you're coming from, the cars passing by blasting suck but then they're gone. A camp next door blasting can really suck.
I have been at the man burn, landlocked in, when a big sound car comes up right along side, with me right directly in their blast zone. It makes you want to get homicidal.
My plan is to bring a lot of very bright lights. If they blast me with their sound, I will aim a few thousand watts of spotlights directly at them.
That seems entirely fair to me. I'm sure they won't see it that way, after all, I'm assaulting them and all they are doing is gifting me their awesome music....

[Eric]

There were still too many loud MVs blasting through the city to make me happy, but it definitely seemed to help on the open playa.


If any MVs are violating rules or driving you to mental violence, make sure to report them to the DMV (and possibly Placement, if you were located near their base camp). This doesn't just go for Doc, this is for anyone. By the same nature, if you think a vehicle did a good/ great/ outstanding job, report that as well. Can't hurt, and the departments may listen.

[Drawingablank]

But fuck it, it's Burning Man. There's noise.

I agree Captain that there's noise, but those assholes over at BAAAAHS took it to extremes over and over again. They'd play their shitty dubstep or psytrance or whatever the hell it was all hours of the night and day (remember, we were at 7:00 and Ersatz, not exactly where the sound/dance camps should be located) and when we complained, they called us homophobic and turned the shit up even louder, got on their amplified megaphone and "apologized" for an hour at the top volume attainable. I'm a pretty tolerant guy, but if we're placed anywheres near BAAAAHS next year it's going to be a war.

I love EDM and never sleep better than when I can feel it while sleeping. I loved the ambient background of sound at our location for the most part, but I must agree that big ass sheep was downright annoying. I was camped a few hundred feet further away from it than Doc and it wasn't coming through as anything resembling music by my camp - more like just a steady thudding noise (sometimes non stop for very long periods especially before the gate opened).

Blaming a noise complaint on homophobia is just plain lame.

[pink]

I love the sheep, but it was loud, and we were a block away from it. I'm pretty sure it was what was making every loose bit in my van buzz one night. Could have been another camp nearby, but Camp Anita was the only one with sound that I could tell and they never seemed to crank that high.

[goathead]

Went to sleep burn night kind of chuckling to myself about how fucked the MV that THUMPED in center camp was going to be next year.

Didn't bother me at all, but I wonder if they knew they were so close to First Camp.

Those fuckers are getting a little old and cranky.

[David M]

We took a ride through the DMZ one afternoon early in the week and it was a sea of abandoned bikes, backpacks, clothes, water bottles, vape pens, etc, etc.

[Ratty]

Davidm, Yeah I saw that too. but you know what was missing? The giant circle of human excrement. Those pottys were the best addition to the event this year.

[Jgladdy]

What happened to panda lounge? Wasn't there this year but they were neighbors of mine 3 years in a row and always seemed respectful with sound...

I have heard more than 1 report of another camp being "shut down" for being too loud.

[gaminwench]

I thoroughly enjoyed the feeling that all of the sound seemed dialed back to around 2005/6 levels.

There was more to hear!

[Bless]

I had no complaints about the new DMV policy this year. I still immensely enjoyed my morning sound car sets. Robot Heart was parked at a similar location as last year. Actually, it was a little closer in to the city. So, no changes noticed there.

I appreciated the strategically located porta-johns in deep playa, though there only seemed to be a half dozen or so at each location. So I still biked over to the Esplanade when I needed to go rather than risk being exposed to some truly unruly post-party poop explosions.

I, too, noticed that Panda Lounge was shutdown later in the week. Sounds like they got in a tussle with the Rangers over their sound levels and other issues. While I have nothing but immense respect and admiration for the Panda crew, having camped next to some horrible sound violators last year, I can understand situations where neighbors have had enough and Rangers intervene. I imagine it's a tough balance placing sounds camps in the interior of the city. Perhaps, they'll all be relegated to the 2/10 o' clock side next year.

[tamarakay]

I was on the far corner from doc at brc (7&g) and baaas sound shook my bed at night. Really loud. But I do have to admit their accessorizing of the sheep car was a highlight for me. Hilarious. I was across the street from el pulpo mechanico and they were always respectful of neighbors with their sound. Awesome group of people.entertained us daily and graciously tolerated all my camps hi jinks.
The sound zones in the deep playa seemed to work. Potties were a blessing. I didn't have to dodge any poop piles this year.

[Elorrum]

Yeah the big sheep made me think that there were no rules at all, and had me feeling the pull of the outer rings. Full volume until 5:30am. Fuck that.

[maladroit]

I appreciated the strategically located porta-johns in deep playa, though there only seemed to be a half dozen or so at each location. So I still biked over to the Esplanade when I needed to go rather than risk being exposed to some truly unruly post-party poop explosions.

There were usually about a dozen, in a 2x6 configuration. I'd often see a line of people out front, then walk around behind and select one from the totally empty second row.