Live music capital gets quiet

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Some people who live downtown in the live music capitol of the world may soon be getting a little more peace and quiet.

The city is trying some new measures to minimize noise coming from downtown bars by investing $30,000 into a new music venue program.

More people are moving downtown, and some want more done to make sure loud music stays in the clubs and does not spread to their homes.

With live music playing at various bars and venues downtown, the city's music venue assistance program has put living side by side to the test.

City staff has partnered up with the Cedar Street Courtyard to try some new ideas out. Cedar Street Bar. The venue has put up a matching $30,000 to look into solutions to solve the noise problem.

The $60,000 budget is intended to test out new technology, and new barriers to stop the music from traveling too far, across the river and into downtown and South Austin neighborhoods.

Downtown Austin resident Mike Hogan says the noise can be a bit much.

"Yeah, it is definitely noisy. It's like a doom doom doom, dull noise so you hear a lot of the music," said Hogan.

At outdoor open music venues like Cedar Street, they are trying out new speakers and noise cancelling technology, as well as putting up padding on their walls.

New noise levels will then be tested, and the results will go to the city to make a decision on new regulations for other bars downtown. If the pilot is successful, various live music venues will be able to apply for grants that can help them minimize their impact on surrounding homes and condominiums.