Inaugural 'Phase Fest' in Franklin was too loud and profane, neighbors say

Tacos & Tequila had less noise complaints this year from Franklin residents.

But the new Phase Fest that took place the following day on Franklin Field at Ballpark Commons, 7035 South Ballpark Drive, was a different story, with many angered over loud noise and profanity echoing through area neighborhoods.

Ballpark Commons hosted the second Tacos & Tequila event on June 22. The inaugural event last year was met with a lot of backlash with many complaining about noise, parking and more.

This year, some said the event went smoother, but the festival was cut short due to severe thunderstorms , meaning headliner Ludacris was only briefly on stage.

Comparing complaint numbers year-over-year

The number of noise complaints were down for Tacos & Tequila, with police registering 18 of them during the 2023 event but just eight this year.

While these noise numbers are improved for Tacos & Tequila, 25 residents took offense to both the phrases used at Phase Fest and the sound levels of the event and put in noise complaints to police.

The complaints came in between 3:54 and 9:27 p.m. Sunday, June 23, and focused on loud music and obscenities shouted by performers and attendees.

Franklin Mayor John Nelson said he was told Tacos and Tequila had about 8,000 attendees and Phase Fest had 5,900 people in attendance, per The Rock. He noted he’d also heard complaints about noise and profanity specifically during the Sunday Phase Fest event.

'A level of accountability' needed, alderman says

Ald. Michelle Eichmann said she, too, heard complaints from multiple residents ― many of whom had never complained about noise from The Rock in the past ― specifically about the bass levels and profanity.

She said “it’s just not acceptable” for children to hear that kind of language.

Ald. Jason Craig said the Tacos & Tequila event showed there was growth compared to last year, however, a lot still needs to be learned, specifically for the new Phase Fest.

“There needs to be a level of accountability that needs to be put forward,” Craig told his fellow council members at the July 2 meeting.

Ald. Mike Barber said he and his wife heard noise for the first time at The Rock during Phase Fest. He recommended the city not allow this event next year.

Sound monitors malfunctioning, mayor says

Due to continued complaints of noise at The Rock ― which prompted a $200,000 sound study ― noise monitors were installed at the property boundaries to monitor sound levels. Those levels can be monitored in real time on the City of Franklin website .

Franklin recently told The Rock Milwaukee Milkmen games should not exceed 55 decibels at the property line .

Residents spoke during public comment at the July 2 meeting, saying the monitor's decibel readings were too high during the events. One resident noted seeing decibel numbers exceed 100, with Phase Fest allegedly hitting 111 decibels at one point, according to the monitor placed at the northern property line.

Nelson said that reading was incorrect.

“That north monitor … there’s something malfunctioning, 100% malfunctioning because you cannot have a 100-decibel reading when there was nothing going on,” he told the resident.

She claimed the level was recorded during the event.

Another resident questioned why there was always some kind of excuse given for The Rock and the noise.

“You’re right, it’s always something and we’ve got to fix it,” Nelson said. “I, too, just want to get this stuff up, running, fixed, as transparent as we can.”

The council noted the complaints and put the reports on file so they would be available to review if The Rock wishes to bring these events back again next year.

More: Franklin flips its decision and will allow fireworks after Milwaukee Milkmen games

More: Mayor breaks tie after Franklin council deadlocks on allowing Tacos & Tequila event in 2024

Contact Erik S. Hanley at erik.hanley@jrn.com . Like his Facebook page, The Redheadliner , and follow him on X @Redheadliner .

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Inaugural 'Phase Fest' in Franklin was too loud and profane, neighbors say