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'Loudest' AC/DC Concert Didn't Quite Shake Wrigley Field All Night Long

By Ariel Cheung | September 16, 2015 6:23am
 After Tuesday's concert at Wrigley Field ended around 10 p.m., fans spread through Wrigleyville, navigating past cars, police and traffic control.
AC/DC Fans Flood Wrigleyville Following Tuesday Show
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WRIGLEYVILLE — While fans might have been happy to have AC/DC shake them all night long, the band's Wrigley Field concert ended promptly at 10 p.m. Tuesday.

Still, some neighbors were irked by the sold-out rock concert, which reverberated through Wrigleyville. With the show on a school night, parents worried for weeks it would negatively impact their children.

Pyrotechnics used at the start and end of the show could be heard as far as Uptown, while the music could be heard from Ashland Avenue to Lake Shore Drive.

Here's how loud the AC/DC concert is two blocks north, near Wayne Avenue and Grace Street. How are things where you are, Lakeviewers?

Posted by DNAinfo Lakeview on Tuesday, September 15, 2015

"It's the loudest it's been in terms of any of the concerts. The kids are asking about trying to study for school tomorrow, and it's very disturbing," said Paul Bryar, who lives near Southport Avenue and Grace Street.

Ariel Cheung says most neighbors seemed to take it in stride:

Others said they enjoyed the free music on a cool September night.

Bryar said he tried to call the Cubs hotline — a promised sounding board for issues — but didn't get an answer both times he called. A handful of other neighbors said they had the same problem, but calls placed around 9:40 p.m. were successful.

Since 2013, Wrigley Field has been allowed to book up to four concerts per year without neighbor and alderman approval — a move that allowed the ballpark to book bigger shows without drawn-out negotiations.

The city's agreement does include an 11 p.m. curfew, which Pearl Jam violated in 2013 after a rain delay pushed the show's end time past 2 a.m.

The agreement paved the way for Tuesday's concert, which neighbors have dreaded for months as the only Wrigley Field show this year to take place on a school night. Noise issues have also been a big problem during the first year of ballpark construction, although AC/DC brought in its own sound system for the show.

As a compromise, the band agreed to end earlier than the curfew. Crowds congregated at bars and along an empty Clark Street, which was blocked off from Newport Avenue to Grace Street before and after the concert.

By 11 p.m., about half had cleared out.

While it's easy to make the argument that Wrigleyville neighbors know what they're getting themselves into when moving near a century-old ballpark, "I don't feel people should have to move away from their homes because [the Cubs] want to hold a concert with loud noise at night," Bryar said.

"The Cubs and Ald. [Tom] Tunney seem to think they have a right to do this, and I think they're bending over backward to make it happen at the expense of the people around the park," he added.

Concert-goers shared their experiences on social media Tuesday night:

The show started with a bang. Literally.

Devil horns were everywhere, as can be expected when you're on the HIGHWAY TO HELL.

The stadium was packed, and it was a glorious sight.

Granted, it was a slightly different crowd than Wrigley Field is used to.

Did we mention AC/DC brought in their own stage, sound system and lighting? Or was that obvious?

We've got a fever, and the only prescription is a gigantic bell.

 

This. Was. AWESOME! #ACDC at #wrigleyfield

A video posted by Eric Patnoudes (@epatnoudes) on

 

Others weren't quite as happy to share trains with the concert-goers.

But no doubt about it, the rock star legends left their fans satisfied.

 

Some were even, dare we say, Thunderstruck.

 

AC/DC fireworks finale #acdc #wrigleyfield

A photo posted by Brad Watson (@bradleymwatson) on

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