Over the course of the summer of 2014 several promoters hired in Traction rigs for events where they required a superior sound to what was already installed, and the manager Robbie Whishaw and then owner John Holland were won over by the high clarity, big bass and high SPLs achieved from very few boxes. Discussions began to have new systems installed on both floors ready for Audio's 10th Anniversary celebrations on 12 September.
Before it was Audio, the venue was called The Escape and ruled Brighton's nightlife for 20 years. It's basement saw names such as The Stone Roses, Carl Cox, Fatboy Slim and Daft Punk grace it's stage and decks. Holland realised that after 20 years things needed to change and so the venue underwent a major refit and name change, and Audio was born.
Once the install was agreed, Traction engaged local install and hire company Brighton Sound System to co-ordinate the refit. In the ground floor bar Above Audio, Traction was asked to fit a system that could balance background music for the day time trade, with punch and higher SPLs for their evening sessions where DJs and live performance remain at the core of the bar's use.
Removing the existing eight mid top speakers and two subs, just four of their SDS8i 'Gobi' mid top boxes and two of their BP12 'Cub' subs were ample to cover the entire bar whilst focussing higher volumes on the centre of the bar for the dancing crowd. Amplification comes from the existing QSC PLX3002s.
In the main club area downstairs, the challenge was to install a system that would keep a discerning club crowd and top name DJs happy whilst meeting the challenges of installing into a venue in a highly populated urban location on Brighton sea front. Traction were happy that the system they installed at Bestival last year would be perfect, using two BPS218 'Hades' infrasubs, four BH218 'Zeus' bandpass horn loaded subs, topped off with eight SDS12i 'Kodiak' mid tops.
Business development director Jonny Goodwillie says, "Installing at Audio is a dream come true for me. When we first started Traction it was my main target to get an install there. When I moved to Brighton in 1989 I would go clubbing in the building which was then called The Escape, and when John refitted and renamed in 2004 I was invited to be part of the promotions team and spent three happy years running club nights and DJ'ing there.
"John and his team understood exactly what a venue needs to be a perfect club, and after 30 successful years it shows they got it right. To be chosen as the venue's speaker supplier means the world to us and shows that Traction is a brand right for nightclubs."
Traction Sound worked closely with Brighton Sound System to ensure their speakers were used to their maximum potential and the 10th Anniversary weekend featured Âme on the Friday night and Simian Mobile Disco on the Saturday night.
In November the club changed hands when London based Mothership took the reins from John Holland and ushered in a new chapter in this art deco inspired venue. Traction looks forward to the new era and will work hand in hand with the new owners.
(Jim Evans)
