Plus Audio, the Stage Audio Works’ house brand, powered three nights of concerts this month by Red Bull Symphonic at The Montecasino Teatro, Johannesburg, South Africa. Red Bull Symphonic is a musical event that blends contemporary artists with a classical orchestra. For the Jonannesburg concerts, singer Kelvin Momo joined forces with conductor Adam Howard and the Egoli Symphonic Orchestra to explore the music of Amapiano, a modern South African electronic dance music genre.
The main PA consisted of FS212 loudspeakers, flown 12 per side for the concerts between June 6 and 8. A flown horizontal sub array of seven FS219B units was designed to provide powerful yet controlled low-end frequencies.
Plus Audio says that ET110L loudspeakers were used as front fills to round out the system and provide a clear response for those sitting close to the stage. Amplification was handled by a combination of AC8 and AC12 amplifiers, also from Plus Audio. Eighteen MMS1 microphones were installed to pick up the melodies of the orchestra.
Nathan Ihlenfeldt, technical director at Stage Audio Works and FOH engineer for the event, said: “We’ve put Plus Audio through its paces before, but Red Bull Symphonic was the next level. Between the orchestral detail and the energy of Amapiano, the system needed to be exceptionally versatile. In short, it exceeded all expectations.”
Bad Weather led as the production company on Red Bull Symphonic, with Blue Array Productions providing the audio control and microphone package along with logistics support, Music Junkies supplying backline and Stage Effects supplying rigging, lighting and video.
“This wasn’t just a big gig, it was an opportunity for Plus Audio to really prove itself,” continued Ihlenfeldt. “The system delivered power, clarity and musicality for a challenging live mix and validated what we’ve long believed: that Plus Audio is engineered not just for controlled demos or small shows, but for serious, top-tier productions.”
