Mid-May saw BBC Radio 1 stage its annual Big Weekend two-day festival, this year in Bangor, Wales. Featuring some of the contemporary music scene’s biggest acts and most well-known Radio 1 DJs.
For the UK festival season’s first major outdoor event, Sennheiser worked closely with audio providers Britannia Row and Adlib Audio to supply equipment and on-site support to the main and second stages throughout the weekend.
All main stage presenter microphones were SKM 5200s with KK 105 heads, while all main and second stage in-ear monitors were ew 300s. An A5000-CP antenna and Vulcan launch system were also deployed on the main stage.
Artists using Sennheiser equipment included Cheryl Cole (custom SKM 5200) and main stage headliner Florence and The Machine (SKM 5200 and 2000 Series IEMs); Faithless (SKM 945 G3), Dizzee Rascal, Tinie Tempah, Lostprophets and Chipmunk (SKM 935 G3); Vampire Weekend, Biffy Clyro, Ellie Goulding and Paramore (e 935); Pixie Lott (SKM 965 G3 handheld), Rihanna (2000 series handhelds with MMK 956 capsules) and Bombay Bicycle Club (e 945).
“We accepted Sennheiser’s very kind offer of technical support with supplementary IEM systems,” says Adlib hire manager, Dave Jones. “The additional equipment enabled smooth changeovers throughout the two days and knowing that this level of back up is available on site is invaluable.”
“It’s always great for us to assist Brit Row and Adlib at the Big Weekend,” says Sennheiser UK’s, Mark Saunders. “An extra advantage is that it provides the opportunity for us to catch up with many of our sound engineers and artists that we haven’t seen in a little while and make sure they are set for the festival run.
“A further bonus at the big weekend was that Tour Supply were on site to ensure that anyone who needed to purchase any Sennheiser equipment was able to do so there and then, which is a hugely useful additional service for the acts that use our products.”
As well as being highly successful for the BBC, performing artists and DJs, the Big Weekend also got the festival season off to the best possible start for Sennheiser. The summer will see Mark and the team working hard at many events to ensure both artists and technicians have all the assistance they need.
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