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Festival & Event Noise Monitoring

Monitoring noise during festivals and events is important to ensure your event doesn't impact any neighbouring residents or businesses and complies with any local authority requirements.

Pre-event Noise Assessment | Onsite Noise Monitoring

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Festival & Event Noise Monitoring

Expert acoustic consultancy, delivered across the UK.

NOVA Acoustics provides noise monitoring services for festivals, outdoor events, concerts, and temporary licensed venues, measuring noise levels at residential receptors and producing reports to demonstrate compliance with local authority noise conditions and licensing requirements. Monitoring is carried out in line with the Pop Code and Noise from Pubs and Clubs Guide and applicable local authority event noise guidelines.

Simple, fast & fully managed

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What our clients have to say

“I plucked this company out of the air and I am so glad I did. Jaime has been most helpful and produced a report within a short time scale. The service has been first class and I have absolutely no hesitation in recommending NOVA acoustics.”

– Arnot Wilson

“We commissioned NOVA to conduct a sound test at our new house. From the get go Adam was incredibly helpful and knowledgeable. It is rare to meet professionals like that, who also go above and beyond to help and guide you through the process.”

– Na’ama Zisser

“The engineer who conducted the testing was friendly, professional and incredibly thorough. Overall I would say that NOVA provided an outstanding service from start to finish and I would not hesitate to recommend them.”

– Joe Bentley

“Really pleased with the service received from NOVA Acoustics on a recent noise risk assessment of our production room. The engineer Tom was great throughout and the report was clear and has made managing our noise control measures simple and effective.”

– Daniel Pontin

“NOVA Acoustics have been beyond helpful. Super speedy response and excellent communication. The noise impact assessment has been completed at a very fair price, and I’m really happy I chose NOVA Acoustics for the job.”

– Kelly Creates

“I used NOVA for acoustic reports for a project I’m working on converting retail units to residential, they was prompt, informative and well priced. I wouldn’t hesitate to use them again.”

– Peter Goldthorpe

“We have used NOVA Acoustics for a sound testing for installation of a new floor. Tom the engineer was very thorough, prompt and professional.”

– Anna Jóga

“Ryan and his team were very professional, installing monitoring equipment regarding a proposed planning application. We can definitely recommend NOVA Acoustics Ltd.”

– Pauline Whittle

HOW WE SUPPORT YOU

Pre- Assessment

Onsite Noise Monitoring

Exceedance Alerts

Complaints Management

Jargon Free & Clear

Compliant Events

Who We Work With

Music Festivals

Sports Stadiums

Outdoor Events

Preferential pricing via trade accounts.

Benefit from exclusive trade rates, priority scheduling, project coordination assistance, and a dedicated point of contact to help streamline delivery across every stage of your project.

Local presence. Nationwide capability.

Experienced specialists you can trust.

Our nationwide team combines technical expertise with practical industry experience, delivering reliable support for residential, commercial, and industrial projects of all sizes.

Why choose NOVA Acoustics?

What This Service Covers

Pre-event Music Noise Level (MNL) agreement based on the Pop Code, the Noise from Pubs and Clubs Guide, and local authority licence conditions

Pre-event sound system design and orientation advice, working with sound system suppliers to maximise on-site coverage while minimising off-site noise

Preparation of a noise management plan detailing predicted sound levels and monitoring locations

Real-time monitoring using Class 1 sound level meters with remote access during the event

Hire-only or fully managed service tiers, including attended monitoring and on-the-day complaint management

Post-event compliance reporting for submission to the local authority

Understanding the Pop Code & Music Noise Levels

The Pop Code is the informal name for the Noise Council’s Code of Practice on Environmental Noise Control at Concerts, published in 1995. While not legally binding, it sets out best practice for minimising the environmental impact of noise from concerts and outdoor events, and following it helps avoid the kinds of issues that can lead to breaches of relevant noise legislation.

The Pop Code sets out maximum permitted noise levels for events, known as Music Noise Levels (MNLs). An MNL is the LAeq of music or vocals measured over a 15-minute period at a position 1 metre from the facade of the nearest noise-sensitive premises.

Concert days per calendar year (per venue)

Venue type

Maximum permitted MNL

1 to 3 days

Urban stadium or arena

75 dB(A) LAeq over 15 minutes

1 to 3 days

Other urban or rural venue

65 dB(A) LAeq over 15 minutes

4 to 12 days

All venues

15 dB(A) above background noise level, over 15 minutes

Concert days per calendar year (per venue): 1 to 3 days

Venue type: Urban stadium or arena

Maximum permitted MNL: 75 dB(A) LAeq over 15 minutes

Concert days per calendar year (per venue): 1 to 3 days

Venue type: Other urban or rural venue

Maximum permitted MNL: 65 dB(A) LAeq over 15 minutes

Concert days per calendar year (per venue): 4 to 12 days

Venue type: All venues

Maximum permitted MNL: 15 dB(A) above background noise level, over 15 minutes

It’s worth noting that the position used to monitor and control sound during the event, typically at the mixer, is not the same as the position used to assess MNL compliance, which is 1 metre from the facade of the nearest affected premises.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Pop Code?

The Pop Code is the informal name for the Noise Council’s Code of Practice on Environmental Noise Control at Concerts, a 1995 guidance document developed by a working group of noise experts to help event organisers minimise the environmental impact of noise from concerts and outdoor events. Although not legally binding, following it helps reduce the risk of complaints and supports compliance with relevant noise legislation.

Why does good noise management matter at festivals and events?

Noise generates more complaints to local authorities than almost any other issue, and can quickly damage relationships with local residents and an event’s reputation. Glastonbury Festival, for example, was ordered to reduce its noise levels in 2019 following a record number of complaints. If a local authority upholds noise complaints, it can impose restrictions on future events, including limits on time and volume, or in extreme cases refuse a licence. Measuring, monitoring, and controlling noise also protects public health, since exposure to high noise levels, and low-frequency noise in particular, can contribute to sleep disturbance and related health issues.

What noise levels are permitted under the Pop Code?

The Pop Code sets Music Noise Levels (MNLs) measured 1 metre from the facade of the nearest noise-sensitive premises. For events running 1 to 3 days, the limit is 75 dB(A) LAeq over 15 minutes for urban stadiums or arenas, and 65 dB(A) LAeq over 15 minutes for other urban or rural venues. For events running 4 to 12 days, the limit is 15 dB(A) above the background noise level over 15 minutes, at all venues.

Where should festival noise levels be measured?

There are two relevant positions. The noise monitoring position, typically at the mixer, is where sound is monitored and controlled during the event itself. The compliance position for MNL purposes is 1 metre from the facade of the nearest noise-sensitive premises, which is where the Pop Code’s permitted noise levels apply.

What does the festival and event noise monitoring process involve?

The process involves placing specialised equipment both within the event area and at noise-sensitive locations around the site, alongside engaging with local residents before and during the event to understand their experience and address concerns early. We also evaluate and help control the sound system to keep noise within agreed limits. Monitoring is typically accompanied by a noise management plan, often required by the local authority for events where noise levels could be significant.

What types of festivals and events require noise monitoring?

Noise monitoring is relevant for any event featuring amplified music or entertainment, ranging from smaller events where evidence of monitoring at a single residential receptor may be sufficient, through to larger events with stringent daytime and night-time limits across multiple locations and specific frequency ranges. In all cases, monitoring complements the noise management plan to give local authorities confidence that the event won’t cause undue disturbance.

What's the difference between hire-only and fully managed event noise monitoring?

With a hire-only service, you receive monitoring equipment with automated reporting, suited to organisers who want to manage the process themselves. With a fully managed service, our consultants handle attended monitoring throughout the event, prepare the noise management plan and impact assessment, and proactively manage complaints on the day, giving a more hands-off option for larger or higher-risk events.

How early should festival or event noise monitoring be arranged?

Involving us early in the planning process allows us to work with sound system suppliers on system design and orientation to maximise on-site sound coverage while minimising off-site noise, and to prepare a noise management plan with predicted sound levels and monitoring locations well ahead of the event. This is particularly valuable for new event sites or larger multi-day festivals.

What areas do you provide coverage for festival and event noise monitoring?

We provide UK-wide coverage for festival and event noise monitoring, including Leeds, Manchester, London, Birmingham, Nottingham, Liverpool, Cambridge, Newcastle, Sheffield, Bristol, and Hull.