China’s burgeoning music festival scene is in full swing this summer, and a large number of events are relying on the Meyer Sound Leo family systems provided by Stage Arts Groups (S.A.G.), a diversified production and artist management enterprise based in Beijing, China.
One standout event in S.A.G.’s non-stop summer schedule was the MTA (Music Technology and Art) Festival, staged at the Tianmo Nature Scenic Area northwest of Beijing and drawing audiences of more than 50,000.
For three days in late June, the desert landscape was transformed into a surreal environment; a fluorescent wonderland for hosting multi-media art performances, cutting-edge music and ‘disruptive technologies’. Music performances included top Chinese acts as well as international artists.
To deliver audio with full impact at the main stage, S.A.G. deployed a system based on dual main hangs of 16 Leo-M line array loudspeakers, each with two underhung Lyon-W loudspeakers. Twelve Leopard loudspeakers supplied front fill and 27 units of 1100-LFC low frequency control elements, arrayed as nine 3-high stacks in cardioid configurations, delivered bass with minimal on-stage intrusion.
Zhang Bo, founder and board chief executive, for S.A.G. said: “Meyer Sound Leo damily systems are ideal for festivals like MTA.They have exceptionally low distortion even when reproducing very high levels. They also have a lot of headroom, making it easy for engineers to do their job beautifully.”
Also contributing to the success of MTA was Zhugen Wang who served as sound designer, system engineer and monitor engineer. He said: “I really appreciated the Galaxy 816 network processor and Compass control software, and I particularly like the way the new proprietary Low-Mid Beam Control ensures greater uniformity of coverage. Also, deploying the 1100-LFCs as an arc in cardioid stacks allows an even spread of massive lows throughout the audience without disturbing performers onstage.”
Prior to MTA, a Leo family system was on hand to power the main stage for the Rye Music Festival, hosting 25,000 attendees daily for two days at Beijing’s Changyang Sports Park.
The system deployed for Rye Music Festical was similar in most respects to that for MTA, though with the addition of twin outside hangs of 10 per side Lyon line array loudspeakers and two delay towers each with twelve Leopard line array loudspeakers.
Zhang from S.A.G. said: “The challenge here was to deliver uniform coverage for an area 150m deep to ensure the best possible audience experience. Fortunately, the LEO Family system makes it possible without compromises.”
Zhang also noted the marked increase in acceptance of Meyer Sound’s latest systems by leading Chinese artists and production managers: “Leo family systems are known and accepted on tech riders by most artists. There are not that many systems available now in the Chinese market, but we expect that to change in the months to come.”
The demand has certainly been steady for S.A.G.’s systems. Leo, Lyong and Leopard systems anchored a system for the Haunted Night 4H Trendy Music Festival in Chengdu in mid-July.
The LEO Family moved on to Changsha at the end of July for the Mango Music Festival, produced by Hunan Broadcasting and presented in front of the network’s headquarters. Here, the system was deployed at the ‘Future’ stage where the mix of acts spanned singer-songwriters, pop and indie rock.
In Late August, S.A.G.’s Meyer Sound systems will support the Dome International Music Festival in Qingdao.