UNITED KINGDOM / AGILITYPR.NEWS / March 24, 2025 / It seems not even Taylor Swift’s chart-topping charm could keep everyone in Edinburgh singing along in harmony. The City of Edinburgh Council today revealed that five residents lodged noise complaints during the pop superstar’s three-show run at Murrayfield Stadium last June, where over 220,000 fans descended for her record-breaking Eras Tour. With Oasis set to storm the same venue this summer for their hotly anticipated reunion gigs, locals are bracing themselves for more decibel drama – though most are taking it in their stride with a wry smile and a cuppa.

The complaints, which trickled in during Swift’s trio of sell-out performances on 7, 8, and 9 June 2024. Council officials confirmed the reports were handled swiftly, but with Murrayfield nestled in the residential heart of Edinburgh’s west end, a bit of a racket was perhaps inevitable. After all, when you’ve got Swifties belting out “Shake It Off” at the top of their lungs, silence isn’t exactly on the setlist.

“It’s not every day you get a global superstar turning up on your doorstep,” chuckled one resident. “If we had five complaints across three nights, which, given the scale of the event, isn’t too bad. Taylor’s shows brought a £77 million boost to the local economy – a few rattled teacups seem a small price to pay!”

The Eras Tour gigs weren’t just a boon for Edinburgh’s coffers – they left the council £40,000 out of pocket for extras like security, lighting, and temporary loos. Learning their lesson, the council has since adopted a new “full cost recovery” policy for commercial events, set to kick in this October. That means when Noel and Liam Gallagher bring their Britpop swagger back to Murrayfield for three nights in August 2025, Oasis will be footing the bill for any civic support. “Taxpayers shouldn’t be picking up the tab for multi-million-pound gigs,” Day added. “We love hosting these events, but it’s only fair the organisers chip in.”

With Oasis’s return promising to pack the stadium with 70,000 fans per night – many of whom will no doubt be chanting “Wonderwall” into the wee hours – Edinburgh’s residents are already preparing for another round of sonic spectacle. The Gallagher brothers’ reunion has sparked a ticket frenzy, with pre-sale codes selling faster than a pint at last orders. Murrayfield, no stranger to big names, will also welcome rock legends AC/DC in 2025, making it a summer of sound to remember.

But what do the locals think? We hit the streets around Murrayfield to find out how Edinburgh folk are coping with their city’s newfound status as a music mecca – and whether they’re ready for Oasis to crank up the volume.

“I could hear Taylor from my garden in Roseburn,” said Maggie, 62, a retired nurse who lives a stone’s throw from the stadium. “It was loud, sure, but it was brilliant to feel the buzz. I’m looking forward to Oasis – I might even dig out my old parka and have a wee singalong!”

Over in Corstorphine, 34-year-old Derek Speirs, a dad-of-two and self-confessed Swiftie, admitted the noise gave him a laugh. “The kids thought it was a party every night – they were dancing in the living room to ‘Love Story’. I reckon Oasis will be a bit grittier, but we’ll manage. It’s not often you get legends like that round here.”

Meanwhile, Fiona, 47, a bookkeeper from Murrayfield Road, took a pragmatic view. “Aye, it was noisy during Taylor’s shows – my windows were humming – but it’s only a few nights a year. I’d rather that than the usual racket from the bin lorries at 6 a.m. Bring on the Gallaghers, I say!”

The five complaints during Swift’s stint are a drop in the ocean compared to the council’s usual noise woes. In 2023 alone, they fielded over 700 reports of everything from blaring stereos to barking dogs across the city. Murrayfield’s gigs, it seems, are just a high-profile blip in Edinburgh’s soundscape – one that most residents are happy to live with for the sake of a good show.

Still, for those less keen on having their walls vibrate to “Champagne Supernova,” there’s hope. We caught up with Ali Baird, a home improvement expert from Homesealed, a Glasgow-based firm specialising in keeping Scottish homes cosy, quiet, and energy-efficient. With over a decade of experience, Ali’s got some top tips for soundproofing your pad ahead of Oasis’s arrival – or any noisy neighbours, for that matter.

“Big events like these are fantastic for the city, but if you’re close to the action, a few upgrades can make all the difference,” Ali said. “You don’t need to move to the Highlands to get some peace – just a bit of know-how and the right materials.” Here are his five expert suggestions:

1. Double or Triple Glazing – “Swap out those single-pane windows for double or triple glazing,” Ali advises. “It’s a game-changer for blocking out sound, whether it’s Taylor’s high notes or Oasis’s guitar riffs. Plus, it’ll keep your heating bills down – a win-win in Scotland’s climate!”
2. Roughcasting – “A good layer of roughcast on your external walls doesn’t just smarten up your home – it adds an extra barrier against noise,” he explains. “It’s like giving your house a thick coat to muffle the outside world.”
3. Foam Insulation – “Injecting foam insulation into cavity walls is brilliant for dampening sound,” Ali says. “It fills the gaps where noise sneaks through, so you’re not hearing every drumbeat from Murrayfield.”
4. Heavy Curtains or Acoustic Panels – “Hang some thick curtains or pop up acoustic panels inside,” he suggests. “They’re affordable, easy to install, and soak up sound before it bounces around your room. Perfect if you’re on a budget.”
5. Draught Excluders and Door Seals – “Don’t overlook the small stuff,” Ali warns. “Gaps under doors or around frames let noise creep in. A decent draught excluder or seal kit can shut that out sharpish.”

Homesealed, based just down the M8 in Glasgow, has been helping homeowners across Scotland tackle noise, draughts, and energy woes for years. “We’ve had clients near Hampden Park swearing by these tricks during football season,” Ali adds. “Murrayfield’s no different – a little prep and you’ll barely notice the crowds.”

As Edinburgh gears up for its summer of sound, the council’s keeping a close eye on things. They’ve promised to work with Oasis’s team to keep disruption to a minimum, though no one’s expecting miracles when 210,000 fans roll into town over three nights. So, whether you’re a Swiftie still humming “Anti-Hero,” an Oasis diehard counting down to “Don’t Look Back in Anger,” or just a local hoping for a quiet night in, one thing’s clear: Murrayfield’s set to keep Edinburgh rocking. Grab your earplugs – or your air guitar – and enjoy the show!

Contact Homesealed: Call 0141 266 0032 or visit www.homesealed.co.uk for more information.