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L-Acoustics helps to keep attendees safe and wired for sound

Adelaide’s January festival utilised socially distanced 'Party Pods'

L-Acoustics loudspeaker solutions helped South Australia’s Summer Sounds Festival – a four-week outdoor concert series – to provide live sound joy to a 2,100-capacity audience throughout January.

With festival-goers safely and comfortably spaced in ‘Party Pods’ that accommodated four to six people each, the challenge of providing consistent, clear coverage to the whole audience area was crucial. Novatech, creative event technology specialists and L-Acoustics rental network partner, approached the event with precise and careful sound design in mind, selecting L-Acoustics for the main PA.

Consisting of 12x L-Acoustics K2 line array elements and 8x SB28 subs per side, plus 4x Kara for front fill hidden behind scrims, the main PA was backed up by L-Acoustics’ Syva colinear line source for the delay, cleverly rigged to the rear of the Party Pods, with a Syva Sub tucked below. The Syva provided ample coverage for the pods in the back rows while ensuring clear views of the stage.

The sound coverage for festival attendees was matched for the musicians on stage, who enjoyed 10x L-Acoustics X15 HIQ as fold back wedges, accompanied by 2x L-Acoustics SB18 subs to shake the bottom end.

“While some people were apprehensive about being ‘penned in’, all doubts were removed after the first weekend,” explained Leko Novakovic, managing director at Novatech. “About 80% of the feedback we’ve heard is that this is the way all festivals should be staged from now on, Covid or not. Most people want comfort and luxury, and to be able to sit down. Audiences need to experience this system for the first time to appreciate how great it is.”

Eighteen shows ran the whole month of January, with Australian artists such as Bernard Fanning, Spiderbait, and Hayden James in attendance. Through the collaboration of Five Four Entertainment, Groove Events, and Secret Sounds, the festival promoters had looked to Adelaide-based Novatech to provide the dynamic live sound.

Festival-goers could choose from VIP, Gold, Silver, or Bronze seating packages. VIP Pods occupied the first five rows and boasted an exclusive toilet block, faster drink service, and a choice of premium drinks.