Headlined by acts including Bush, Die Toten Hosen, and Funeral for a Friend, the four-day festival attracted around 35,000 people a day to an airfield near the ocean. According to the audio team, the effects of wind became a key consideration in designing the sound system for the main stage.
"The Leo system is so much more powerful than anything else we have worked with," says Tim Humpe, head of entertainment and touring production for POOLgroup. "The biggest challenge with this festival is the wind. With Leo, the sound stays focused and in your face, without the need for delay towers."
The main stage system provided sound for the entire 150m-long audience area. "Not only does that make our lives easier, but it's also better for the audience in terms of sightlines," says Felix Suwelack, production manager for Deichbrand.
Featuring 48 Leo-M line array loudspeakers, the main stage system was augmented by eight Mica loudspeakers spread across the stage lip. Low frequencies were handled by 30 1100-LFC low-frequency control elements, while system drive and alignment was provided by a Galileo Callisto loudspeaker management system featuring two Galileo 616 AES and six Galileo Callisto array processors.
The smaller Waterstage's reinforcement system included 42 Milo loudspeakers and 32 700-HP subwoofers, while the Palastzelt stage incorporated 24 Mica loudspeakers per side, along with 18 M'elodie line array loudspeakers. Low end was handled by 18 600-HP subwoofers and six 1100-LFC loudspeakers.
(Jim Evans)
