The Breakaway Music Festival, a two-day celebration of electronic dance music and the DJs and fans who love them, tuned up the area around Allianz Field in St. Paul’s Midway this weekend, drawing thousands of EDM enthusiasts in a variety of outfits — from a man dressed as a banana to some flashy ravers not wearing much at all. It was the first major music event outside Allianz Field since the soccer stadium’s opening in 2019. Neighboring bar owners and others happy to see signs of night life in the Midway beyond soccer games celebrated the independent festival’s arrival. But for some homeowners, the bass was too booming, the beats were too loud. The festival drew a flurry of complaint calls to police and city offices, with some residents at least as far away as Highland Park assuming there was a party going on nearby. Ben Christianson, who lives near Portland Avenue and Pascal Street, turned on a white noise machine to get his small kids to sleep, but the sound of eff-bombs from enthusiastic DJs irked him enough on Saturday to inspire him to jump on a bicycle and head up to the festival himself to see if he could convince organizers to turn the volume down a notch. “I just told them I was a neighbor and it was really loud, just asking if they could turn it down. I wasn’t under any illusions that they would,” Christianson said. “They reassured me that they were within their permit and I should follow up with the city if they had any concerns. I called the city and they said there wasn’t anything they could do. There wasn’t any recourse.” “What really got me was you could hear the DJ interject every once in a while, using swear words,” Christianson added. “They were really dismissive. When I told them I had a 5-year-old, they told me ‘I’m sure he’s heard worse.’ I lost my cool a little bit. I’m sure he has, but it hasn’t been for hours and hours in our backyard.” 97 decibels at 50 feet Headlined by famed EDM DJ Illenium, the outdoor festival featured more than two-dozen local and national acts, most of them DJs, from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. No one besides event organizers testified before the St. Paul City Council on June 5 during a public hearing for a requested sound level variance. The city granted permission for “97 decibels at 50 feet from all sound sources during the event hours.” The orientation of the stage and speakers, pointed south, likely had an impact on who was subjected to an unsolicited rave. During soccer games, noise from Allianz Field tends to be muffled by its inset bowl shape — the playing surface is technically below ground — and by the architecture of the stadium itself. The festival, however, was situated in the parking lot and grassy area outside the stadium itself. “I’m fine with it,” said Bill Childs, who lives in Mac-Groveland. “We live in a city. Did I love hearing it until 11 p.m.? No. That’s not the music I’m interested in seeing or hearing, but I’m excited to see activity in the city. That’s the trade-off for what I love about being in the city. It was loud, but I’m a season ticket holder to Allianz Field. It’s a big old plot of land that mostly sits empty. I assume a lot of those people wouldn’t have been coming into the Midway otherwise.” A range of opinions On social media channels such as X, Facebook and Reddit, St. Paul residents sounded off with their locations and a variety of reactions this weekend, ranging from outraged to supportive: “Randolph and Snelling–Kept hearing a deep deep bass line as if a car was driving by with the subwoofer cranked.” “Not a chance this was 80-90 decibels!” “Whoever approved this one needs a talking to.” “I live in Midway, it was music and not much louder than a soccer game or State Fair concert. Glad they are utilizing the stadium.” “I thought there was a huge party going on behind my house so I called the police non-emergency line at 9:30 p.m. … I’m a mile away.” “Is this ok??? This is NOT ok. Our whole house is shaking and it’s supposed to go until 11pm? Not ok.” “Highland Park. It was pretty loud… but meh, I was young once and it’s summer. Enjoy it while you can.” “Friday night heard it (in) Mendota Heights. Not as pronounced on Saturday.” “We’re less than a mile from Allianz (south and east in Merriam Park) and it was barely noticeable except when outside. I’m early to bed and sleep with the windows open.” Related Articles Music and Concerts | In St. Paul, minimum wage hike take effect: Rate for large businesses remains $15.57, $14 for small Music and Concerts | Celebrity chef Justin Sutherland charged with threats of violence against girlfriend in St. Paul Music and Concerts | Rebuffed twice, St. Paul mayor, council president again seek authority to impose administrative citations Music and Concerts | Injured Harding the cat is healing thanks to a community of helpers Music and Concerts | Bill Finney, ‘original ambassador of police-community relations,’ retiring as Ramsey County undersheriff