Brian Rasic / WireImage Celine Dion’s songs are at the center of a conflict between the residents of Porirua, a small New Zealand town.
MUSIC – Among the crazy competitions I would like… the one where the aim is to play music at the highest volume possible. It’s absurd? Everyone will have their own opinion, but this competition exists in New Zealand: it is called “Siren King”. And it doesn’t just make you happy, especially because of the noise pollution it causes.
The principle is simple: Competitors – members of a local subculture of music enthusiasts – meet in the city with their cars equipped with huge loudspeakers, loudspeakers and sirens to compete against each other. The goal of these battles is to play music as loudly as possible. Day and night.
The sound quality must also be there. In contrast to Céline Dion’s hits, big, rich basses are therefore not desired. The reason ? According to Paul Lesoa, one of the founders of a group that organizes mermaid battles in Auckland, who responded to an interview for New Zealand media The Spinoff, the Canadian singer’s music is clear, with high treble and little bass. In particular, My Heart Will Go On, the flagship title of the film Titanic.
Angry residents
But in the small town of Porirua, north of the capital Wellington, residents annoyed by the noise pollution caused by these competitions have started a petition calling on the town’s local council to ban these meetings during the night, local media RNZ reports. Police also reported 40 incidents between early February and early October.
“Although I listen to Céline Dion in the comfort of my living room and at my volume, I don’t like it when fragments of her songs stop and start at any time between 7 p.m. and 2 a.m.,” we might read in the comments to the website Change.org.
Porirua Mayor Anita Baker shares the same sentiments as her town’s residents – some of whom are even considering moving: “I’ve had enough of the siren battles.” No matter where you are in our city, there are homes that will hear something. » She is therefore encouraging mermaid “clubs” to hold their competitions on land, again according to RNZ.
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“They make a shrill noise.”
“There are vibrations all over the city, no matter where they occur, because we are in a basin. It’s really frustrating,” she continues, according to an article in the Guardian, adding: “They play half a song, tweak it on their device and make a shrill noise that doesn’t even feel like I’m listening.” to good music. (…) I don’t want to be mean, but it’s not even a complete song. »
This competition did not always provide excitement in Porirua. Until recently, siren battles took place in industrial areas far from homes and ended at 10 p.m. This year music will be heard through the streets of the city. To the great horror of its residents.
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