Too loud?
 

Hey. Totally new here. Thanks for having me.

I live in Portland, OR and have been playing music here since I moved here in 2000. In addition, I'm 43 and have been playing punk rock and rock since I was 18. I've toured the US semi-extensively and have played in every type of venue out there, big and small, except a coliseum.

In the last few years I've noticed a trend here in Portland of club owners/managers making a point of telling bands to keep the volume level to a minimum and it's not uncommon to get a request to turn down in the middle of a set. Keep in mind that these places are bars with stages, sound systems, and a room full of people drinking.

In the past this would have only happened in cases of the band being booked into a place like a coffee shop or small restaurant by mistake.

I'm wondering if this lower volume trend is happening in other parts of the country?

Any thoughts?

Thanks.

I've noticed this at a few venues i've been too recently also. I think it was in large part due to their crappy PA SYSTEMS. At venues with good PA SYSTEMS i've never encountered this yet, and here in Cali people are almost exclusively there to see the bands and want it loud. I say keep bringing the noise its what people are there for.