No Music At This New York Concert Venue In 2025?

Just as locals in this New York City neighborhood have concerns about noise levels as a result of live shows/concerts, fans of live music who were looking forward to see some of their favorite bands and artists on stage are equally as concerned.

A few months back it seemed like things had settled down, and the show would go on in Queens for this concert season, but recent events indicate otherwise.

Get our free mobile app

Neighbors Still Concerned About Forest Hills Concerts & Noise Levels

Concerned neighbors have expressed their displeasure for quite some time about noise levels at the popular music venue that was once home to the U.S. Open. The venue is situated within a residential community, and neighbors in the Forest Hills community continue to vocalize their concerns.

Previously, a judge dismissed five of seven (at the time) active cases against the stadium. At one point, in 2023, a lawsuit filed by the Forest Hills Gardens Corporation (FHGC) against the stadium's ownership, The West Side Tennis Club, sought to 'shut down the summer concert program...'

Permit Negotiations Halted At Forest Hills Stadium

Fast forward to the current situation, the necessary sound amplification permits required for the 13 shows already on the calendar for this season have been denied. According to NBC:

The venue has been denied new sound amplification permits by the NYPD over concerns accessing privately-owned roads the surround the stadium. Those streets are owned by the Forest Hills Garden Corporation, which has denied access to the stadium's organizers.

The Forest Hills Gardens Corporation (which owns/operates much of the area surrounding the open air stadium) has stated that they want to 'engage in constructive dialogue with all parties,' and don't want to necessarily prevent the shows from happening. Though, there are still massive concerns about the needs of the community, mainly citing that the 'annual summer shows attract thousands and blast music into the evening hours.'

Crowd Control Concerns Also Surface

In addition to the sound amplification permits, the Queens Chronicle also reports that the FHGC has denied the West Side Tennis Club (Forest Hills Stadium), 'the club license to use the surrounding privately own streets,' even citing a letter signed by NYPD Legal Bureau Inspector William Gallagher. The letter indicates that police are not permitted to close the nearby streets for 'necessary crowd control,' which, in this extremely populated residential community, is a problem.

There's also an advocacy group in the community that has called the situation at the stadium 'out of control,' they too have filed a suit which was dismissed and currently waiting appeal. Additional information about the Concerned Citizens of Forest Hills group can be found in the Queens Chronicle coverage, or on their official site, here.

There are currently 13 shows on the calendar for the 2025 season, which, according to the post on X by Forest Hills Stadium above, will move forward 'as planned.'