Sound at YOUtopia is collectively managed by the YOUtopia production team and open community involvement.
As a 10 Principles event, YOUtopia is dedicated to radical self-expression, Civic Responsibility, and Communal Effort. We will all work together to ensure that our sonic expressions can create a harmonious relationship between participants at the event and the community that is hosting us. Sound can be an amazing gift! Setting the environment and having a tremendous impact. Because of the scale of that impact, and the fact that the impact can be felt at such a distance, it is particularly important that when gifting sound, you keep in mind that you are responsible for the impact of that sound.
Main Objectives of this Policy
- To educate our community about how to be good stewards of sound and understand the expectations and requirements for bringing sound to the event.
- To ensure that we respect the boundaries of our host location.
- To help the organizers of YOUtopia to get the information they need to appropriately place all sound art and Sound Camps.
What is a Sound Camp?
If you are bringing any amplified sound that can be heard outside of the immediate area, you must register. This is so that we can be sure to gather appropriate information, place the city as needed, and have open lines of communication.
All YOUtopia camps or participants that bring amplified sound are considered Sound Camps, regardless of the size, wattage, or volume of their system.
- Sound camps should be aware of their sound levels.
- Sound should be kept at a level that does not bleed out of the zone that they are placed in or interfere with other sound camps or adjacent residents.
- If there are complaints at any time, sound must immediately be lowered. If this is not done cooperatively, sound camps may need to go quiet completely.
- No sound in the evening or late night zones should be heard at a significant level by the residents of the community.
Three different sound zones
- Daytime sound from noon until dusk
- Evening sound until 2AM
- Late night sound – lower levels 2AM-noon
Art Cars
Art Cars may have amplified sound but it should not interfere with other Sound Camps and must follow the sound rules of the zone they are in. This means that if they are driving through a quiet zone after hours, they must cut their sound and be quiet.
Art Cars stopped near other Sound Camps must turn off their sound to avoid sound competition with established camps. No Art Cars may have amplified sound during quiet hours from 2am – noon.
PLEASE NOTE: Any camps or groups that bring unannounced sound to the event without PRIOR approval will not be allowed to play sound.
Sound Concerns
As a community, we need to work together to keep sound at desirable levels. Every participant is personally responsible for how they affect everyone else’s experience.
The best way to resolve issues is to talk to your neighbors courteously first. If you believe your neighbor’s sound is too loud, let them know that the sound is bothering you (or that you are concerned it might be bothering a resident/disrespectful to our hosts). Remember, we are in this together! Maybe your neighbor got caught up and didn’t realize it got late, or that it was so loud. Hopefully you can help them understand your concern. If your neighbor believes your sound is too loud, you should hear them out and try to make adjustments.
If you have a concern that is not addressed, you can reach out to a Ranger or any Youtopia staff.
Thank you for helping us to maintain our ability to have sound at YOUtopia!
Deadline for Sound Camp Placement
July 29, 2024 at 11:59pm.
Information about Grants & Placement can be found here
