ÎleSoniq Mandates Transparent Bags for Electronic Music Festival

The timing of the announcement has left many festivalgoers scrambling. The rule was shared via Instagram and email just days before the event, leading to accusations of a power trip by security and frustration over the lack of time to procure compliant gear.

The 30x30x23 cm Transparent Bag Mandate

The restrictions are strict. All backpacks, handbags, and fanny packs must be transparent and cannot exceed dimensions of 30 by 30 by 23 cm (12 po x 12 po x 9 po). While this mirrors a policy used at the recent Osheaga festival, the Montreal Gazette reports that ÎleSoniq is taking a harder line; Osheaga had allowed non-transparent bags, handbags, waist bags and fanny packs provided they were smaller, measuring no more than 23 by 15 by 10 cm.

ÎleSoniq posted the policy Monday on Instagram, telling festivalgoers that a well-prepared bag means faster entry. Following this, the festival clarified that exceptions will be made following inspection for bags required for medical reasons, as well as bags needed for accessibility, child care or other essential purposes. These must still remain below the maximum permitted dimensions.

• Medical bags: Permitted for health reasons.
• Essential needs: Bags required for accessibility or child care.
• Hydration packs: Allowed regardless of transparency, provided they are empty upon arrival.

Hydration packs will be inspected by security staff, and there will be dedicated entry lines for those carrying them.

Interestingly, the hydration pack rule was a point of contention. Evenko confirmed that they initially planned to ban hydration packs entirely but reversed the decision after receiving feedback from festivalgoers.

Privacy Concerns and the Charter of Rights

The shift to clear plastic isn’t just a convenience issue for some; it’s a matter of dignity. Critics have argued that forcing people to display private medical supplies in a transparent bag could violate the right to privacy and dignity under Article 4 of the Charter.

“Obliger une personne à exposer publiquement son matériel médical intime/privé dans un sac transparent ou la forcer à séparer ses équipements médicaux essentiels dans trois petits sacs non adaptés peut porter atteinte au respect de sa vie privée et de sa dignité (article 4 de la Charte)”

Festival attendee

Other attendees questioned the logic of the safety argument. Some argued that harmful items could simply be wrapped in clothing inside a clear bag.

Environmental and Logistical Friction

The environmental impact of forcing 50,000 people to buy new plastic bags on short notice has also drawn ire. A festivalgoer using the pseudonym alexlecuyer_ wrote: Premièrement, il y a de forte chance que beaucoup de gens n'aient pas le temps de voir cette règle inutile. Ensuite, vous demandez à 50 000 personnes d'acheter des sacs en plastique, wahou l'environnement.

Some users pointed out that the late notice makes it nearly impossible to receive a regulation-compliant bag by mail before the Saturday start date. An attendee using the pseudonym ninitypeshit stated, Pour les festivaliers, tout comme moi, qui se sont préparés des mois à l'avance pour ce festival, c'est très frustrant de savoir que nos préparatifs n’ont servi absolument à rien, adding that organizers decided CINQ JOURS avant to disrupt preparations for hundreds of festivalgoers.

This is not the first time a Montreal event has faced backlash for last-minute bag mandates. In 2023, the now-defunct Metro Metro festival implemented a similar rule just 72 hours before its concerts began.

Evenko’s Expansion of the Policy

If you’re planning to attend other events at Parc Jean-Drapeau, be warned: this is the new standard. Evenko has stated that this policy will be effective for all its events at the park. This includes the Lasso country-music festival scheduled for August 15 and 16.

The promoter claims the move is about operational efficiency, stating the bags are intended to facilitate entry screening, improve guest flow and align with practices at other large-scale events.

Essential On-Site Rules for August 8-9

• Hydration: Empty plastic or reusable bottles are permitted and can be refilled at water stations throughout the festival grounds.
• Food: All outside food and beverages of any kind, including alcohol, are prohibited and will be confiscated.
• Cannabis: Sale and consumption are banned. People age 21 and older may possess cannabis, provided it was bought legally and remains in sealed packaging from the SQDC or another official government source. Possession is limited to 30 grams, and edible cannabis products are not permitted.
• Safety Support: An on-site truck operated by GRIP, a Montreal harm-reduction organization, will provide information and support related to substance use and festival safety alongside on-site medical personnel.

As the event approaches, the sentiment among the community remains tense. While cultural commentators like Stéphane Leclair, speaking Tuesday on the program Le Québec maintenant, suggest that stricter security is a growing reality for festivals and that it will be necessary to get used to it, the friction between promoter efficiency and attendee rights is far from resolved.