The Jana Nayagan audio launch concert made history at Bukit Jalil National Stadium, becoming the first audio launch of a Tamil film outside India to draw 85,000 fans and earning a place in The Malaysian Book of Records.
The sold-out event celebrated the forthcoming film starring Tamil cinema icon Vijay, with film music composer Anirudh Ravichander performing songs from the movie before a crowd that packed every seat across all three tiers of Southeast Asia's largest multi-purpose stadium.
L-Acoustics Certified Provider Distributor Digital Aid (D8 Projects) delivered the sound system for concert organisers Malik Streams. Facing the unique challenge of optimising audio coverage for 85,000 fans while integrating seamlessly with elaborate LED visual displays, the production required audio that could cut through the roar of concertgoers celebrating their favourite Tamil cinema and musical artists, while maintaining pristine vocal clarity and impactful bass throughout the massive venue.
D8 Projects has been Malik Streams’ trusted audio partner since 2022, delivering live sound solutions across all their events. For Jana Nayagan, the brief demanded uniform coverage with well-defined, impactful low end while maintaining vocal clarity in the mid-range. The system also needed exceptional SPL to power through crowd noise.
The K series deployment featured front-row concertgoers surrounding an elevated runway connecting the main performance stage to a VIP seating area for the film’s cast, with the full-size football field and three-tier stadium seating creating complex coverage demands.
For a film audio launch, visual presentation is paramount. The main design challenge was integrating the PA system with LED positioning without compromising either element. The sold-out stadium also presented sightline challenges. Bukit Jalil National Stadium concerts are typically configured length-wise or width-wise; the length-wise layout for this event meant robust delay systems were crucial to maintain coverage from stage front to rear audience.
L-Acoustics Soundvision 3D modeling software proved essential in the planning and design phase, with Kim Fai Hep, application engineer at L-Acoustics providing additional support with the system design. Through close collaboration between the visual team, D8 Projects achieved optimal PA placement while preserving unobstructed sightlines for all visual content. The result demonstrates that world-class audio and video production can coexist without compromise.
The final design featured a main system of 16 L-Acoustics K1 and six K2 down per side, with 12 K1-SB subwoofers flown behind. An out-fill system consisted of 12 K1 and four K2 down, while front-fill featured 16 Kara II enclosures in groups of two, set atop 56 KS28 subwoofers ground-stacked at the front of the stage. Side-fills for dancers were powered by Kara II and SB28 subwoofers, and X15 HiQ monitors delivered clear foldback monitoring for on-stage musicians. The delay system consisted of six K2 per side, with additional out-fill of two L2 and one L2D per side. The entire system was driven by 70 LA12X and six LA7.16 amplified controllers, with signals processed by L-Acoustics P1 processors running on a Milan-AVB network protocol.
Bryan Chia, system engineer of D8 Projects, noted: “The system was networked using Milan-AVB, which provided low-latency and reliable live audio transport across all endpoints. L-Acoustics electronics supported this natively, allowing straightforward integration and reliable system monitoring. An analogue fallback was also implemented as a precaution, ensuring continuous operation in case of network issues.”
Feedback from artists, performers, FOH and monitor engineers, and concert organisers was consistently positive throughout the event.
Henry Hari Ram Mariapan, CEO of D8 Projects, said: “Performers reported clear, intelligible monitoring with consistent coverage across the stage without being affected by the main PA volume. Without a doubt, the K series maintained exceptional reliability throughout the historic, record-breaking event despite the operational scale and demanding performance requirements.”