It is an ephemeral guinguette that has been set up in Toulouse for 3 summers. The Pony Club is preparing to welcome artists and fans of DJ and electro evenings. Residents complain but the manager of the place claims to be in compliance with noise pollution.

In a few days, the surroundings of the Cépière racecourse in Toulouse will be in summer mode. The 3rd edition of the Pony Club will take place for 3 months for the electronic sound sent by the artists. Last year, many local residents complained about the nuisance caused by the event.

The Frenchman Bob Sinclar, or the Englishman Fatboy Slim author of the hit “Right here, right now” will take place to announce the Toulouse summer.

A DJ/Electro program for all ages with 4 shows per week instead of 5 last year. “We have canceled the Sunday one, recognizes Amine Britel at the initiative of this musical event and manager of the place. It’s a day that’s calmer, more family-oriented, we didn’t want to be blamed for making noise. We are not here to send loud sound. We’re doing everything we can to make it work.”

As a pledge of goodwill in relation to opponents. The organizer does not want this event to be called a festival but a “tavern with music“.

Every evening, around 1,500 come to see the artists in the open air. Which generates noise. Last year, the local residents made a referral against this event. A decision that the town hall perfectly understands through the voice of Sacha Brillant, deputy mayor of Toulouse. “They rightly initiated legal proceedings against the operator because there were unacceptable nuisances. This made it possible to note these nuisances. It is out of the question that what was noted last year will be repeated this year . “

An acoustic expertise was requested. “We had a problem on the limiter, an investigation is in progress. The company that installed it for us has turned against the manufacturer. We have changed this limiter and we are even going to install 2:1 for the public sound and 1 for DJ monitors. They are sealed, tamper-proof and we are checked regularly. We have been doing tests since last year. The residual noise of the place is on average 45 decibels. We are at 30-35 decibels. ”

But according to the deputy mayor of Toulouse Sacha Brillant, “the expertise revealed that the sound control devices were disconnected.”

The organizers didn’t just change the limiter. They relied on the expertise at 2 different entities. As a result, this year, the scene will no longer be adapted to the Enghin residence which adjoins the racecourse and where most of the residents who complain about the nuisances are. It will be directed towards the ring road and the car parks. “We tested several scenarios. The expertise was sent to the mayor of Toulouse, local residents and lawyers. We tried to reassure them. The report clearly says that this solution does not bother anyone. In any case, the town hall was clear: we will be checked often. If there is a problem, we close.”

Last year, the Pony Club was organized in a hurry, with a last minute green light because of the Covid pandemic. A tarpaulin had been placed to reduce nuisance: not really effective according to local residents. So this year, the organizers are trying new solutions. Doors open an hour later at 6 p.m. As soon as the concert is over, the sound will be reduced.

25 employees ensure this place, not to mention the fifteen foodtrucks and the people for security. Everyone will be on deck on June 18. Nearly 45,000 people are expected during the 3 months. Residents are already listening.