On Monday 1 July 2024, the Abbaye de Neumünster (neimënster) issued a press release clarifying measures taken at the Siren's Call festival amid stormy weather over the weekend.
The festival (organised by neimënster and den Atelier) took place on Saturday 29 June 2024, although there were weather warnings in place for thunderstorms that evening.
Some festivalgoers complained on social media that there had not been enough notice for schedule changes and cancellations on the day itself.
The organisers have since issued a statement explaining that, in the interest of safety, neimënster, represented by its head of security, and den Atelier "followed a procedure to secure the site adapted to the evolution of official vigilance instructions linked to the meteorological situation".
Neimënster noted that a first preventive meeting was held at 14:00 on Saturday, leading to the implementation of measures adapted to the anticipated risk (yellow-level weather warning) at that time.
After confirmation by the authorities of the orange alert, issued around 17:30, the organisers made "difficult but necessary decisions" to guarantee the safety of everyone present on-site. Shortly after 18:00, they began communicating this information on social media and via email to ticket holders; the information was also broadcast live on the main stage in the square, and they informed the public of the impact of these measures on the festival programme.
At the same time, the teams on the ground gradually eliminated the identified risk factors. This included: dismantling the inflatable arch; removing the tarpaulins and decorations; securing and dismantling the garden (after the last concert that could take place); storing away unused chairs; dismantling creative stands; closing the site to new arrivals; masting masts and flags; shutting down food trucks; creating a security perimetre around the stage.
"Our top priority was to guarantee the safety of everyone," stressed neimënster. "We regret that our communication could not, in this context, be more widely deployed to the public". They offered their "sincere apologies" and confirmed that they would make "a gesture" in response to the inconvenience. The organisers also thanked their teams, "who did not hesitate to work long hours to deal with the situation and thus ensure the safety of the public, the artists and the site."
