In Situ Experience Sampling of Recreational Noise during Eurosonic Noorderslag (NL)

Eurosonic Noorderslag is the biggest showcase festival of Europe, which takes place in the small town of Groningen (NL). Like all festivals it is a temporary activity that affects the normal state of affairs of an existing neighborhood. Municipalities and event organisers show a growing need of understanding the subjective auditory experience (or appraisal) by residents and visitors (as opposed to focussing on acoustic parameters alone), to maintain their social support. For the municipality of Groningen (NL) we developed an online reporting platform (MAEVIS) as a proof of concept of an appraisal monitoring system. Four different data input streams were visualized in the online platform: in situ experience sampling (N=335) by 25 local residents and 89 visitors, decibel measurements made by the municipality, and registered formal complaints (N=1). Over the course of four days, this information was presented in real-time to the municipality, the event organizer, and sound technicians. By enabling immediate communication between sound producers and sound receivers, we provided them a tool to fine-tune sound production and to optimize the sonic experience of visitors and to minimize negative appraisals by local residents.