Audio specialist tube UK provided nine sound systems at six locations and on two parade floats for the recent Manchester Day celebrations.

Arranged by outdoor arts experts Walk The Plank, the event attracted large crowds to see elaborate floats accompanied by vibrant music on the parade, as more than 80 community groups snaked their way through the city from Deansgate via Albert Square to the event’s finish at Exchange Square. tube supplied the first float in the parade – the Orrery – and also the final one, which was a show-stopping collaboration with dance music producer and local hero, Graham Massey and brass collective Mr Wilson’s Second Liners.

The event theme of Eureka! marked the city’s achievements in science and discovery, with Walk The Plank commissioned by Manchester City Council to produce the event. Now in its seventh year, Manchester Day encourages inclusivity and participation and includes contributions reflecting the city’s diverse cultural base.

‘We are hugely proud to be involved in the event and this year, were even more excited to work with Graham Massey in addition to supplying kit to all the stages,’ says tube UK’s Melvyn Coote.

The main stage was built in Albert Square, so a good sized PA was installed featuring six d&b audiotechnikV8s, four V-Subs, a Yamaha QL5 and 35 assorted mics to deal with the diverse line up of music. Albert Square accommodates between 2,000 to 3,000 people, with its audience varying throughout the day, so the PA system was designed to address the entire space.

The main stage PA covered around 1,500 people and the Circus House stage (Come Pain or Shine – dedicated to aerial performances) reached approximately 500 at a time. A third stage PA also covering around 500 people, accommodated a compère commentating on the floats as the parade passed en route to its final destination in Exchange Square.

The system in St Anne’s Square comprised four d&b Y7Ps, four Y-Subs and another Yamaha QL5 mixing desk with new d&b M6 wedge monitors, playing to around 500 people. At the Great Northern Square stage were four d&b Y7s, four Q-Subs, a QL5 and d&b Max12 wedges.

Technically the most challenging aspect of the event for tube’s team was Graham Massey’s float – a giant glitterball, beneath which Massey in matching mirror suit mixed his magic. He created live loops taking samples from the Second Liners, a nine-piece brass and percussion ensemble mode, each individually miked by the tube team.

A large and awesome 360° PA on the float – tube’s main objective was to give it plenty of power – was made up of four d&b audiotechnik Y7Ps and four Q-Subs all powered by a D80 amplifier and mixed using a Yamaha LS9 console. The Second Liners’ radio mics were all Sennheiser 5000 series.

 The high-point for audiophiles in the house came as the Massey float entered Exchange Square and the float audio link was beamed via RF transmitter to a receiver onstage sending signal to the higher powered PA (also d&b), which seamlessly transferred the sound to the full PA. Massey and the Second Liners then produced a totally unique 15-minute piece complete with dance groups from the main parade.

The Exchange Square stage featured eight d&b V8s and four V-Subs, powered by four D12 amps and the reception kit for the RF link was also Sennheiser.  ‘An iconic Manchester dance vibe involved the whole of Exchange Square – it was totally amazing,’ says Coote, who explained that a key to making this happen smoothly was that the stage PA had to be set up in a very specific part of the square. To make this happen tube undertook a site survey and risk assessment and presented a full proposal to the council for approval.

The event rewarding for the tube crew of 11, who installed the PA systems, all rigged and soundchecked across the city – then de-rigged them after the entertainment ceased. It was an intense 12 hours of activity, which they have honed and improved each of the five years since the event started in 2012.

Despite their Manchester base and strong connections to the local music community, it was the first time tube had worked with Graham Massey: ‘It was a fantastic experience to work with Graham and Mr Wilson’s Second Liners and to see their contribution have such a positive impact on the event,’ Coote.concludes.