Sound System Policy for Neotropolis

In general, attendees are not allowed to bring their own sound system to Neotropolis.  This is to help preserve the immersive theme and to preserve the enjoyment of the majority of attendees, especially given that much of Neotropolis is a very compact environment (unlike some other events and festivals where camps can be more spread out)

Here are some more specifics about what we don't want in terms of people bringing their own sound systems (and this applies to DJs, karaoke, bands, and amplified instruments - other than those approved as official performers/entertainment). And please, no megaphones. Those get really annoying really fast. The only exception is when some kind of official announcement needs to be made on short notice and someone goes around with a megaphone to let people know (vs just heckling, etc.)

This policy is to help preserve the immersive theme and to preserve the enjoyment of the majority of attendees.
Neotropolis, and especially Megablock 1 are very confined spaces without thick walls to prevent sound from traveling from one area to the next. It would be VERY easy for one module or one camp's sound to overwhelm the entire place.

What we would much prefer to have is low volume sound from one area to the next, whether it be appropriate music or immersive atmospheric sound and sound effects. This will give an excellent environment that feels like a living, breathing, cyberpunk world. So, while we don’t want sound “systems”, smaller speakers and quieter audio playback is fine. In fact, sound effects and soundscapes (not just music but atmosphere, sound fx etc.) can help create an amazing immersive experience from one area to the next. But that only works if it stays in the background and one sonic area doesn’t overpower the next.
So let's all work together on this.

Other than a few select performance groups and official entertainment areas (who must get PERMISSION IN WRITING from senior Wasteland World staff members PRIOR to the event), no one may bring out any sound system or music device that is larger than a small portable radio or small bluetooth speaker (or similar). And even then, please be conscious of your volume, especially if you are in the Megablock and are right next to a neighbor.

THE CORE - The Core is our main performance area, located just south of the Megablock. The Core will feature bands, DJs, and other scheduled performances, but the speaker array will be pointed SOUTH, into the open desert and away from the Megablock and the general camping area.

For example, these are OK:

These are NOT okay:

In closing, regardless of the size of your speakers, your volume must never get to the level that it disturbs your neighbors or interferes with the immersive atmosphere. Enforcement of this policy is at the sole discretion of the WW staff. Repeated offenses (refusal to turn down or turn off your music) can result in discipline up to and including the expulsion of your entire camp from the event. If in doubt, leave your sound system at home.

If your faction or camp is planning some kind of amplified sound at Neotropolis, you MUST get in touch with event staff prior to the event (Factions@neotropolis.com) so that we can decide whether or not it is approved. Please do this as early as possible. Last minute requests that we don't have time to deal with are likely to just get a "no."

Also, just so it’s clear, performance groups with prior permission to play music are still under the authority of the event staff in terms of music volume, hours played, and content.