The eclectic UK Shambala Festival hosted 200 acts across a dozen or so stages at ‘a secret location in Market Harborough’ recently.
As the event’s promoter, Bristol-based Kembe Events called on technical service provider (and Martin Audio partner), Stage Audio Services (SAS), having been involved with the event for the past dozen or so years. SAS FOH tech was Matt Hopkins, while other crew on site were Ross Clark and Phil Warwick.
SAS MD Kevin Mobberley believes that the company’s largest summer ever is due in no small part to investment in Martin Audio’s MLA Compact PA.
‘In fact having, now added MLA to our hire fleet we were able to give [the promoters] a choice between this and our other front line system; fortunately, they picked MLA which was great.’
He explains that the promoter needed to look closely at offsite sound level issues – and so the controllability of MLA was perfect in that respect. The main stage hangs consisted of 12 MLA Compact per side supported by four MLA Mini on each stage wing for infill, while four Martin Audio DD12’s provided front fill. Ten MLX subwoofers were designed in a broadside configuration – spaced equidistant, five wide and two high.
‘All the feedback we received was 120 per cent positive, and the promoter was very happy with the sound,’ he reports. ‘As a result, he says, the arrangement with MLA will be ongoing for this popular 7,000-capacity event.’
