Sorry to contribute yet another complaint on the forum this week, but I've been holding onto this thought for about three years and I finally spoke about it with the people sat around me on Sunday. Thought I'd finally put it down in writing.
Since we all came back after the pandemic, the Tannoy/PA system at the Etihad has been far too loud, to the point where I can't even hear myself think before the game or at half-time, never mind have a proper conversation with the person sat in the seat next to me.
Before the pandemic, this never used to be the case. But when we came back for the start of the 21/22 season, where I sit in the North Stand, they'd put five large speakers just under the roof that seem to have been cranked up to 11 since the day they were installed.
It's making the atmosphere a lot worse as well. Not only can you not chat to a mate unless you're on the concourse, you can't get chants going before the game either because no bugger can hear you. It's spoiling part of the "matchday experience" for me, to be honest.
Before the derby at the weekend, they at least tried to get the atmosphere going by cutting the music completely. And it worked, to be honest. The fans were just allowed to sing on our own for a bit. But for every other game you're just blasted with loud adverts and some music.
Does anyone else feel similarly?