SAN DIEGO, CA (CelebrityAccess MediaWire) — The concert series at Embarcadero Marina Park South on San Diego’s bayfront will be trimmed next season, and the acts will be limited to less-than-hard-rock performances.
Complaints from Coronado residents, who said the loud rock concerts held at the venue were disrupting their tranquility and quality of life, led port commissioners to restrict concerts and force promoter Viejas Entertainment to seek quieter artists.
The San Diego Unified Port District owns the park and has allowed the San Diego Symphony to hold concerts there. The symphony subleases the park to Viejas to stage pop and rock concerts on off nights.
Most noise complaints came during the Viejas shows, which ranged from Santana and Paul Simon to Radiohead and Death Cab for Cutie. Last year, the promoter staged 23 concerts, and the symphony held 27, attracting more than 200,000 people.
The regulations will limit Viejas to 11 concerts, none of which can feature hard, bass-heavy music. Four of the concerts can go until 10:30 p.m., and the rest must end by 10 p.m.
Steve Redfearn, president of Viejas Entertainment, said he will focus on signing performers whose sound is softer, such as B.B. King and Lyle Lovett.
Escalated financial penalties will be issued if performers exceed the cutoff time or the 95-decibel sound limit. A $5,000 penalty will be imposed for the first violation, $10,000 for the second, and $15,000 for the third. After three violations, the commissioners will decide whether to cancel the concert season entirely. –by CelebrityAccess Staff Writers
