When it opened in October 2007, L.A. Live was billed as the beginning of a "new era" in live entertainment. As a $2.5 billion improvement of the downtown Los Angeles area the development incorporates new ESPN studios, restaurants, a 50-storey hotel, office towers, a cinemaplex and the $120 million, AEG-operated Nokia Theatre.
The first venue in the new complex to open, the 7,100-seat Nokia Theatre has the largest stage in Southern California, measuring 180' x 80' (55m x 24m), and a performance area of over 14,000 sq.ft. IPR Services designed the audio system for this venue with the idea that world class acts would be able to book the theatre with the knowledge that it would be able to meet their stringent rider requirements, offering a first class sound system and one that would provide the theatre owners with a high quality operation.
The first scheduled event held at Nokia Theatre was a concert featuring the Eagles and the Dixie Chicks. Other events have included pop artist Bjork, Mary J. Blige, and the tour finale of the Los Angeles-based, progressive metal band Tool.
"There were two reasons we chose the JBL Vertec line arrays for this venue," said Robert Patrick, president, IPR Services. "Most importantly, we chose Vertec because the system performance is excellent and the type of bands and entertainment acts that are being booked here universally accept Vertec for touring. Beyond that, the rigging is easy with the ability to hang cabinets quickly and get the precise configuration you need."
(Jim Evans)
