Liverpool-based ADLIB supplied a sound system and crew for the UK section of Ringo Starr’s recent tour. Starr is best known as a founding member of original British supergroup, The Beatles. Starr is one of a long line of local stars and artists that ADLIB has supported over the years.
ADLIB won the project because they came highly recommended to Starr’s production, and they could deliver the L-Acoustics PA specified by their FOH engineer John Cooper at an excellent price, together with systems tech George Puttock (pictured).
L-Acoustics was chosen for its reliability, consistency and great sound. As they were playing a wide variety of different sized venues, ADLIB supplied a selection of options to facilitate both V-DOSC and Kara main speaker hangs, which could be configured according to what was most suitable for each venue – the V-DOSC for the larger spaces and the Kara for the smaller.
L-Acoustics ARCS and dVs were used for in- and out fills, and SB28 and SB18 subs completed the sonic picture from ADLIB. “We were basically prepared for all eventualities,” said Puttock, who co-ordinated everything on the road and liaised with John Cooper and monitor engineer Boo.
The largest example of the system set up was at Bournemouth BIC, consisting of eight V-DOSC cabinets a side with three dV downs, three SB 28s a side for subs, together with Kara and ARCs infills.
This was all powered by LA8 amplifiers and processed via Lake LM26s for EQ and time alignment – which is a standard ADLIB combination.
Starr’s production brought their own consoles and complete monitor rig from the US.
Liverpool associated artists for whom ADLIB has worked with over the years include The Coral, Cast, Echo & The Bunnymen and – back in their heady 1990 heydays, the La’s. They also supplied sound for multiple city centre stages at the City’s August Bank Holiday Mathew Street Festival for about 10 years.
Other Beatle orientated links include the design and installation of a new ADLIB system at the legendary Cavern Club about two years ago, and providing a number of PAs for the annual Beatles Convention staged at the Adelphi Hotel.
