Boothman put together a pacey soundtrack based on the theme of performance tying in with the city's Year of Performance. This encompassed dance music of all types - from Fatboy Slim to Swan lake to Ballroom Blitz - and a miscellany of sporting themes - all essentially 'performance' geared.
To add depth to the overall visual image and to enhance the aesthetics and sense of occasion, the trees and foliage in the parks were illuminated this year for the first time - using Studio Due City Color lighting fixtures. These and the sound systems for all three parks were supplied by Manchester based Audile. "The environmental lighting was a big hit with everyone - it gave a more finished and integrated feel to the shows," says LCC's Kirstie Blakeman.
The ground stacked PAs were all raised on two metre high platforms to ensure they projected well into the crowds and right across the viewing areas.
The fireworks were all fired from Pyromate controllers, with one site featuring a Pyromate Nighthawk digital system, and the others standard analogue systems.
Generator power for all three sites was supplied by Pyramid, barriers by Event solutions, cabins came from Search, stewards from Paramount and the security was looked after by SES.
(Chris Henry)
