A d&b audiotechnik loudspeaker system was the centrepiece of the audio set-up designed by Indian live events specialist KG Movie for the Cherry Blossom Festival 2024, in India. Held on November 15 and 16 at the RBDSA Sports Complex, Kurkalang Stadium, in the city of Shillong, the celebration of art and culture attracted 100,000 visitors across the two days.
One highlight was a picturesque Japanese village nestled amidst scenes of blooming cherry blossoms. Alongside it, the festival boasted three distinct performance stages. On the main stage, international stars like AKON, Boney M, and Clean Bandit shared the spotlight with Indian favourites like Jasleen Royal, R3HAB, and Kanika Kapoor. KG Movie collaborated with Clockwork AV (a division of Clockwork Design LLP) to deliver the audio systems.
The d&b KSL line array system formed the backbone of the main PA, with a total of 32 units of the KSLs adorning the performance stage in stereo configuration. And complementing the KSLs were 16 units of SL-GSUB subwoofers and 12 units of the compact yet powerful B22 subwoofers that were strategically placed in front of the stage.
Owing to the huge expanse of the main stage performance section, KG Movie took special care to ensure that audience members located at the farthest ends of the section also enjoyed a similar soundscape, as they deployed a total of 24 units of d&b’s V-Series line arrays to serve as the delay reinforcement system.
Artists performing on-stage benefited from d&b’s MAX2 loudspeakers as the main stage monitoring reinforcement, while KG Movie also deployed 6 units of T10 line array modules paired with B6 subwoofers as the side-fill reinforcements. And to further enhance the performers’ experience, over 24 channels of the 2050 series in-ear monitors from Sennheiser, along with an extensive deployment of the Axient wireless systems from Shure were made available.
The mixing consolers came from DiGiCo. At Front of House (FOH), there was a DiGiCo SD10 digital mixing console, complete with multiple SD Racks for enhanced I/O expansion. A secondary SD10 console was made available to serve guest engineers when needed.
Meanwhile, artist engineers at Monitor World were empowered with the next-generation DiGiCo Quantum 338 digital mixing console. KG Movie chose to integrate the entire setup through Optocore networking. And for additional versatility, the team also offered the S6L digital mixing console from AVID.
Manoj Singh, director of KG Movie, said: “We aimed to create a truly immersive sonic journey – and judging by the overwhelming response, I believe we delivered true on that promise. From breathtaking performances by global legends and Indian stars to the flawless sound engineering that elevated each act, the main stage at the Cherry Blossom Festival 2024 has become a testament to what’s possible when artistry and technology align.”
