MLA COMPACT PROVIDES PUNCH FOR SHAMBALA FESTIVAL'S ECLECTIC MIX

Held at 'a secret location in Market Harborough' on August Bank Holiday Weekend, the eclectic Shambala Festival featured 200 acts across a dozen or so stages of music programming, plus a roller disco, karaoke, contemporary circus performances and lots more.

Promoters, Bristol based Kembe Events, now have the formula down to a fine art, as do their technical service providers (and Martin Audio partners), Stage Audio Services (SAS), who have been involved with the event for the past dozen or so years.

Their MD Kevin Mobberley says the fact that they have just enjoyed their biggest summer ever is due in no small part to their investment in Martin Audio's premium MLA Compact PA. 'In fact having now added MLA to our hire fleet we were able to give [the promoters] a choice between this and our other front line system; fortunately, they picked MLA which was great.'

He said that the promoters had always needed to look closely at offsite sound level issues - and so the unique controllability of MLA was perfect in that respect.

The main stage hangs consisted of 12 MLA Compact per side supported by four MLA Mini on each stage wing for infill, while four Martin Audio DD12's provided front fill.

Ten MLX subwoofers were designed in a broadside configuration - spaced equidistant, five wide and two high.

SAS front of house tech was Matt Hopkins, while other crew on site were Ross Clark and Phil Warwick.

Mobberley also praised the excellent technical support from Martin Audio in the shape of Nigel Meddemmen and Dan Orton.

'All the feedback we received was 120% positive and the promoters were very happy with the sound,' he confirmed. 'As a result, he says, the arrangement with MLA will be ongoing for this popular 7,000-capacity event.'

Photos by Scott Gouldsbrough / Nat Hopking