Fiddler's Green bass vibrations face scrutiny
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A Caamp concert at Fiddler's Green Amphitheater in 2025. Photo: Mark Makela/Getty Images
The low rumble of tasty bass isn't so appetizing for some Greenwood Village residents.
The big picture: Electronic dance music at Fiddler's Green Amphitheatre is the likely culprit.
Driving the news: Greenwood Village is measuring low-frequency vibrations near the venue this season as the city considers updating noise rules to include sounds residents feel, not just hear.
Zoom in: Last year, the city says 29 of 51 noise complaints tied to Fiddler's Green came during EDM shows.
- Some residents reported feeling low bass in their homes.
Context: Fiddler's can fit about 17,000 concertgoers.
- It hosted 27 shows last year — with 215,679 attendees.
Flashback: Greenwood Village and Fiddler's Green — owned by the Museum of Outdoor Arts — have operated under an annexation agreement since 2006 that covers sound from the venue.
- The deal says Fidler's can't exceed 110 decibels at the mixing position — the area where sound engineers control audio.
Yes, but: Nothing specifically addresses low-frequency vibrations.
- So is it really all about that bass?
- Might be.
Last year, the city hired Littleton-based Wave Engineering to study sound at four concerts.
By the numbers: Fiddler's highest recorded sound level was 108.6 decibels — below the city-mandated 110-decibel limit.
Caveat: During the Aug. 1 Excision EDM show, Wave found low-frequency bass was "significantly louder" than at the other concerts — even though Excision's decibel levels were lower than the three others studied.
What's inside: In a summary given to Greenwood Village police last September, Wave said music was sometimes audible in neighborhoods as far as 1.5 miles away.
- But it said low-frequency bass can travel farther.
The intrigue: Greenwood Village police met in November, January and February with Fiddler's management and AEG, which operates the venue and handles bookings.
- A February memo from the city's police chief to the city manager reported that Fiddler's management said "they have complied with the annexation agreement" and "expressed some concern about being forced into something other than what is outlined in the agreement."
The memo said discussions were expected to continue with MOA's senior leadership.
What they're saying: MOA and AEG didn't respond to messages seeking comment.
- Greenwood Village said in a statement it "remains committed to working collaboratively with venue operators to find balanced solutions that support … community quality of life and the continued success of a valued regional entertainment venue."
What's next: The city will pair this year's sound data with community feedback and other factors, including weather.
- Council members will review the findings and consider whether the city can establish a measurable vibration baseline.
Fun fact: Excision returns to Fiddler's Green July 31 and Aug. 1.
- Tickets are almost sold out.