ROSKILDEmonitors. Network processing was handled by Galileo GALAXY processors.
Technical teams from Meyer Sound, Bright, and the Roskilde Festival
collaborated on sound system design and deployment, drawing from
previous successes to improve overall performance.
This year, advancements ranged from enhanced AVB control to inventive
new PA configurations. “All the lessons learned from 2018, we’ve taken
directly into 2019,” commented Roskilde production head Lars Liliengren.
“We are kicking off at a much higher level, even from the beginning.”
Other new tech initiatives included implementing an innovative
subwoofer array at the Orange stage and significantly reducing leakage
at Gloria. “We were able to apply our learning from last year to make
meaningful strides going into Year Two,” said Dennis Tholema, Meyer
Sound Senior Technical European Support. “Last year, we had the normal
end-fire subwoofer array flown; this year, it’s a gradient end-fired subwoofer
array, which is upward staggered and down steered to be able to get the
maximum cancellation on the stage and backstage, which was the wish of
festival production. We achieved a reduction of around 17 dB, so it was ver y,
ver y quiet on stage. At Gloria, we used gradient setups of two band-limited
UPQ-1Ps behind each line array to reduce low-mid and low-end leakage
from the arrays on stage.”
Ensuring a seamless festival experience for visiting engineers starts
with providing personalised support on site. To that end, Meyer Sound
embedded a crew of 22, working alongside 32 Roskilde sound staff
members, to work hand in hand with artists’ technical teams throughout
the event.
“It’s really good to know when you’re coming into a situation like this
that you are coming into the familiar situation with Meyer Sound and Meyer
Sound technicians,” said Icelandic engineer Ingvar Jónsson, who mixed
front-of-house for Robyn. “It’s a real comfort to know the system and know
that you have well-trained technicians who take good care of you.” And for
these engineers, encountering a premium sound system makes their work
go even more smoothly. “Festivals are always tough in that you’re faced
with so little time; you have a fast changeover,” said Penelope Isles’ FOH
Engineer Max Jacomb. “But the thing that overrides that for me is the fact
that with a Meyer Sound system, there’s more room to manoeuvre.” Jacomb
added that he appreciates the support team’s collaborative spirit: “I have a
system tech who’s asking me questions about what I want instead of telling
me what is going to happen, and that is huge,” he continued.
Backstage, Meyer Sound hosted Sonic Lounge and Tech Lounge
hospitality spaces where artists and production crews could relax and
recharge, enjoy refreshments, and learn about the technology powering the
festival and research conducted on site, taking in presentations by Meyer
Sound Director of System Optimisation Bob McCarthy, Roskilde Festival
audio consultant Morten Büchert, and other sonic experts.
Ultimately, elevating the concert experience is all about narrowing the
gap between the artist and the audience, said John Meyer. “The relationship
between the artist and the audience is really what matters here. It is all
about content and the experience of people enjoying the music that they
come to hear.”
That passion for music and sound is at the core of this unique
partnership, which is destined to reach new heights as it ushers in a
milestone year for Roskilde. “This year is Meyer Sound’s 40th anniversar y
and next year is Roskilde’s 50th anniversar y,” said Helen Meyer. “So we’re
ver y, ver y excited about building on ever ything this year, making it even
better next year, and helping Roskilde celebrate its 50th in great style.”
“Roskilde Festival is the biggest event happening in the Nordics,” added
Bright CEO Fredric Holmgren. “This is one of the big crown jewels of festival
production... we’re really proud to be a part of it.”
Photos: Ralph Larmann and Nalle Magnusson
http://www.meyersound.comJohn Meyer, Meyer Sound co-founder; Signe Lopdrup, Roskilde Festival CEO; Helen Meyer; Meyer Sound, Bright Group & Roskilde Festival Technical Crew.