Since opening in March 2001, the Eden Project has become one of the UK's most visited tourist attractions. In recent times, the Project's tranquil setting has made it an attractive proposition for large music events, including Live 8's Africa Calling event - where a 32-channel Allen & Heath ML4000 VCA console was used to mix the stage in the Warm Temperate biome - and the annual Eden Sessions, which have included prestigious acts such as Moby, Keane, Elbow, Ian Brown, Air, Brian Wilson, Pulp and Basement Jaxx.
'Still Warm' performance dates were arranged to coincide with the 2006 Eden Sessions - a week-long series comprising performances from Jose Gonzalez, The Magic Numbers, Muse, Goldfrapp, and Snow Patrol.
The piece comprises rhythmic, multi-layered scattered beats and grooves, tinged with jazz and electronica. The new work uses three harps - lever harp, bray harp and a wire-strung harp - performed by Ruth, with live and pre-recorded audio performed by Graham on keyboard and live electronic manipulation, run through a compact PA system comprising the MixWizard console and EM Acoustic speakers. "The MixWizard is a really good little mixer - it's compact, has all the right features in all the right places, and is reliable. The individual phantom power buttons are a particularly useful design feature and make the desk very flexible," commented Fitkin Wall's sound engineer, Bax.
Commissioned by Eden and Classic FM, the inspiration for 'Still Warm' came specifically from Cornwall-born Graham's study of the plants at Eden and sounds from the natural world, and is ultimately shaped by the space and its unique acoustics. "Visitors were encouraged to walk around the Biome to enjoy the soundscape of the performance," explains Steve Yelland from SPS. "The Biome's dimensions are 135m long, 35m high and 65m wide, which acoustically is a large space to fill on a compact system. However, the A&H desk and EM Acoustics speakers were a great success, amply filling the biome, and delivering simple and clear audio to all areas. I used the MixWizard's auxes to feed four zones, and still had plenty of capacity for monitor feeds for the band. This creates a rich mix over the dome. I'll be using a similar set up for other events taking place during the summer season, including the Jungle Nights, featuring live world music and dance, story telling, and a carnival parade."
The technical infrastructure for the Eden Sessions and projects at Eden is the responsibility of technical production manager Jane Montague and technical manager and LD Ade Burt. The sole supplier of PA for the Eden Sessions is Skan PA.
(Lee Baldock)
