Let's Get LOUD aka the match day experience thread (split thread)

[mcs]

back in 2019 upstairs in the Brewongle & it’s where the big speakers are - it was ridiculous trying to conduct a normal conversation - I gave up my membership this year (after 19 years) as I’m now living in the country. I’m now loving watching the game at the comfort of home without the hoo har!! - but the noise We used to endure in the Brewongle was awful and as for the crap ramblings over the PA at half time - aarrrgh. It’s like they thought we were all deaf!

I hate the trend and obsession with 'filling every silence' that sport more broadly is going towards, but AFL is right at the front. At the Gabba last week it was the same - they had this woman that had the most nauseating almost 'squeal' sort of voice, that was clearly trying way to hard. Nothing against her personally, but it was like screeching nails down the chalkboard sort of crap. Between that and too much music, was nauseating.....

Can't wait to get back to the SCG in a couple of weeks to watch us live again, but not looking forward to that aspect at all.

[Kafka's Ghost]

back in 2019 upstairs in the Brewongle & it’s where the big speakers are - it was ridiculous trying to conduct a normal conversation - I gave up my membership this year (after 19 years) as I’m now living in the country. I’m now loving watching the game at the comfort of home without the hoo har!! - but the noise We used to endure in the Brewongle was awful and as for the crap ramblings over the PA at half time - aarrrgh. It’s like they thought we were all deaf!

If they keep the volume at this latest level for the whole season we’ll be deaf by round 8. We also sit in the Brewongle Stand; it was truly unbearable, to the point we almost left at half time, despite the great play and potential unfolding. I wish they’d just let us enjoy the game.

[Wardy]

If they keep the volume at this latest level for the whole season we’ll be deaf by round 8. We also sit in the Brewongle Stand; it was truly unbearable, to the point we almost left at half time, despite the great play and potential unfolding. I wish they’d just let us enjoy the game.

I really don’t know what they think they are achieving with it. We did just fine back in the old days when there was none of this stuff (I’m sounding like an old bag) the only thing we wanted to hear was the team song and the siren. It’s like when you watch The TV coverage of state of origin NRL in south Aust - the telecast starts when the first whistle goes and finishes bang on full time. Half time just adds - none of the nonsense!!

[neilfws]

On a more distracting note, did anyone else at the game find the volume level of the completely unnecessary music after every goal unpleasant?

Forgot to note that in my post yesterday. After the first Swans goal we looked at each other in a "are they really going to do that every goal?" way. And sure enough they did.

A little burst might be OK, but all the way through to the centre bounce is not. It's reached the stage where every break in play is filled with noise so loud that conversation with your mates is essentially impossible. Conversation is a pretty key part of the "game day experience" if you ask me.

Good to see from the many comments that it's not just me being a grumpy old man. I'll happily add my voice to any feedback, if someone suggests the most appropriate channel for that.

(we did have a little giggle at the Sweet Caroline lyrics, which are now so inappropriate for the COVID age)

[dejavoodoo44]

I hate the trend and obsession with 'filling every silence' that sport more broadly is going towards, but AFL is right at the front. At the Gabba last week it was the same - they had this woman that had the most nauseating almost 'squeal' sort of voice, that was clearly trying way to hard. Nothing against her personally, but it was like screeching nails down the chalkboard sort of crap. Between that and too much music, was nauseating.....

Can't wait to get back to the SCG in a couple of weeks to watch us live again, but not looking forward to that aspect at all.

She's possibly the one who used to get on my nerves in 2018-19? I don't think she was there in the few covid games that I went to last season? I used to refer to her as 'red cordial girl'. She sounded like she may have worked for some godawful FM station, that catered for the yoof/tweener market, where pretty well everything was just about the most exciting thing that ever happened. She had an accomplice, who gave the impression, that he wasn't going to let the nasty injury that curtailed his cheerleading career bring him down. And given half a chance and a microphone, he was going to let his positive attitude shine through.

Needless to say, when I was more interested in chatting to the person next to me, or quietly observing the warm up, I didn't appreciate their frenetic demands to have fun now, or their boundless enthusiasm for whatever crap they were trying to flog.

And depending on where you are, the music can be deafening at the Gabba. At the St Kilda game last season, one and half metres away from me, were Saints fans on either side. Neither seemed that interested in talking to the Swans fan, so I was listening to music on my headphones. But when they decided to put some music over the PA, I had to stop, because I had the choice of either turning up my music to an ear damaging volume level, to drown out the external music, or listening to a strange mix, of what I wanted to listen to and what they were demanding I listen to. And I tend to think, that if you can't properly hear the music playing through your headphones, then the external music may be a touch too loud.

But anyway, I'm definitely in the camp of, a day at the football should be about the enjoyment generated by the football and doing a bit of socialising, with people that you may have or may not have met before. It's definitely not about a contrived entertainment experience, consisting of crap music played loudly and demands to have fun now.

[caj23]

Not sure about the SCG on Saturday as I wasn't there, but it's similar to how the AFL have completely ruined the Grand Final. Live music of some crappy band blaring at a ridulous level pre-game and at half time when you want to talk about the game or listen to the radio analysis

[GAP2065]

Just to join those that found the music annoying after each Swans goal. Our seats are in the O''Reilly stand and post goal noise made it very difficult to discuss the goal with people sitting next to me.

ps While I am doing the curmudgeon thing, the Non Sequitar cartoon in todays (29 March) SMH has a poke at Sweet Caroline.

[longmile]

My father and I were going to send a letter off to both the SCG trust and the Sydney Swans about the unnecessarily loud and constant music and 'entertainment' on Saturday. Does anyone know of the relevant email address or letter address?

[bloodspirit]

Here are the club's contact details: Official AFL Website of the Sydney Swans Football Club.

And this is what a quick google of SCG trust turned up: Contact us - Precinct (nsw.gov.au).

[liz]

I doubt the noise volume has much to do with the SCG Trust. Are they not just the landlord? My understanding is that the "matchday experience" is something concocted by the club, maybe with some input from the AFL.

In terms of contacting the club, the membership department seems to the most obvious channel - they are set up to be the interface between the club and members. They likely have nothing to do with the noise and "entertainment" themselves, but I am sure they will pass on concerns to the relevant people within the club, especially if they receive a lot of similar comments.

[Meg]

Perhaps someone on RWO who understands how to do these things might set up an online petition? Place it on RWO and the Swans Facebook page. Address it to the Swans club, the AFL and the SCG Trust.

We need a large number of complaints to drive home the message: at a time when the club needs ticket revenue it is at risk of losing attendees because of the unbearable noise at the ground.

[longmile]

Thanks everyone for their help. I really hate making these complaints but it absolutely ridiculous on Saturday.

[jono2707]

Email sent to SCG trust and Swans membership. I was constructive and positive, just asked them not to overwhelm the experience with the constant barrage of loud music.

But they can keep Sweet Caroline, and who can resist a bit of 'Errol' occasionally?

Anyway let's see what sort of response I get....

[Thunder Shaker]

The SCG/Swans should ditch the loud music and park a dozen old cars around the boundary line, sounding their horns after every Swans goal. It would surely be better.

[Captain]

Complaint email sent!