Fines imposed on concert promoters for breaching noise limits at Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabéu Stadium have reached €1.5 million, according to Spain’s Association of Musical Promoters (APM).
Gigs at the venue have been suspended since September following noise complaints from neighbouring residents.
According to a recent report by El Pais, all 16 concerts held at the stadium since April exceeded the 58 decibel limit, prompting fines from the city council ranging between €17,000 and €280,000. Penalties have included €142,000 and €146,000 for producers of Taylor Swift’s two Eras concerts in May, which were slammed as “disproportionate” by one promoter.
“We also did not manage to find out the criteria for the sanction,” they added.
Furthermore, the APM says the penalties were handed out despite the shows being held “under current regulations and with the corresponding permits”. The trade body also referred to its previous statement, insisting that responsibility for non-compliance lies with the stadium and the authorities.
The Bernabéu only reopened for concerts in April following a €1.76 billion renovation. As well as two nights with Swift, it hosted a record four-night stint by Karol G in July, plus performances by the likes of Duki, Manuel Carrasco, Luis Miguel and Aitana.
The APM, which represents around 100 members, says the sanctions have had a “negative impact on Madrid’s economy and cultural image as a destination for large-scale events”.
“Since April 2024, penalties have increased both in number and amount, directly affecting the sustainability of live music in Madrid,” adds the organisation. “This increase not only represents a serious detriment to the promoter companies, but also to the entire music industry, which generates a multi-million dollar economic impact in the capital, benefiting sectors such as hospitality, tourism and commerce.
“The APM stresses the importance of ensuring a framework that allows for coexistence between live music and local residents, ensuring the sustainable development of culture in Madrid. It also reiterates the need to establish measures that reinforce the infrastructure and acoustic conditioning of venues to avoid new conflicts that compromise the viability of the industry.”
Cancelled shows included headline performances by Dellafuente, Aitana and Lola Índigo, as well as K-pop’s Music Bank World Tour. Índigo announced a rescheduled date at the venue this week for next June, only for it to be quickly pulled, with the club saying they were still working with the council on soundproofing measures.
“Real Madrid is working actively, together with the Community of Madrid and the Madrid City Council, for sustainability and coexistence”
“At the present time, the club is not in a position to confirm any dates for the holding of concerts at the Santiago Bernabéu stadium until the relevant tests are carried out to ensure that the promoters of the concerts will be in a position to comply with the regulations, once the measures put in place in coordination with public administrations have been implemented,” says a statement from Real Madrid.
“We would like to reiterate that Real Madrid is working actively, together with the Community of Madrid and the Madrid City Council, for sustainability and coexistence, so that the activities at the Santiago Bernabéu stadium are carried out with full respect, not only for the law, but also for the environment and the neighbourhood.”
The five-year renovation project was led by L35 Architects in collaboration with GMP Architekten and Ribas & Ribas, with British firm Arup appointed to “deliver architecture, façade engineering, acoustic and lighting design services to enhance the fan experience and future proof the facility”.
Arup, which had not responded to a request for comment at press time, has reportedly again been enlisted by the club to carry out acoustic studies as it seeks to make the stadium compliant with Noise and Thermal Pollution Ordinance (OPCAT) regulations by next June.
Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez played down the dispute at last week’s members’ meeting, claiming the organisation of concerts was “not a particularly lucrative activity” for the reigning European football champions.
“We simply rent out the stadium and I would like you to know that the income from this would be around 1% of our annual budget,” he said.
Elsewhere in Madrid, the Riyadh Air Metropolitano – home of Real’s city rivals Atlético Madrid – has already confirmed eight concerts for 2025, including Ed Sheeran, Imagine Dragons and Stray Kids.
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