Capital Sound returned to the award-winning We Are FSTVL site at Damyns Hall Aerodrome in Upminster over May Bank Holiday, fielding their premier Martin Audio MLA system on the three main stages.
The production company last worked with promoter Reece Miller on the two-day event back in 2014, and with production values ramping up they were recalled this year by festival Production Director Simon Barrington of Sibar Productions, with whom they have collaborated on Above & Beyond shows and last year’s Wild Life Festival.
“The improved 21-metre dome stage with custom PA wings enabled us to fulfill all objectives,” said Capital Sound Account Manager Martin Connolly. “With a 1200 kilo weight-loading we were able to install more boxes.”
The PA team, with Charlie Ellery as Crew Chief, took full advantage of being able to provide coverage for audiences up to 20,000 capacity without the use of delay towers on the outdoor main stage (dubbed Ancient Realm), as well as Arena 1 and Arena 2, which as in previous years, operated under different names on the Saturday and Sunday.
Again working alongside acoustic consultants Vanguardia, the team used Martin Audio MLA equipment. The main stage featured 10 MLA elements on each flank, at the bottom of which was a single MLD downfill. This was supplemented by 13 MLX subs, some rear facing, in a broadside cardioid array. To ensure coverage consistency they added four Martin Audio W8LCs either side of the PA wings as out and infills, and four W8LM Mini Line Arrays in the centre.
Of the two main tents, Arena 1 was equipped with eight MLA and an MLD downfill on each side, with 12 MLX subs, four W8LMs covering the front areas and a pair of W8LC providing outfills. As for the smaller Arena 2 Capital Sound provided seven MLA for each wing, with eight WS218X subs ground stacked and eight W8LM Mini Line Array elements.
Additional Capital Sound personnel on duty included Joseph Pearce, as Main Stage MLA Tech, while Adam Dickson was MLA Tech on Arena 1 and Ben Turnbull MLA Tech on Arena 2.