Capital Sound provides audio for Tate Modern charity gig

Capital Sound supplied the audio system for the recent launch of anti-poverty charity ONE’s Agit8 project at the Tate Modern gallery in London.

A number of big-name stars, including Tom Jones, Jools Holland, KT Tunstall, Jamie Cullum, Paloma Faith, Jessie J and Biffy Clyro performed on an outdoor stage at the event, alongside buskers, actors and up-and-coming artists.

Capital supplied a Meyer Sound Mica ground-stacked PA, along with a Digico SD9 console at front of house and a Yamaha M7CL desk for monitors. With the event running from noon to 9pm, one of the biggest challenges was posed by the presence of the Globe Theatre nearby, which stages spoken word matinees at 2.30pm.

“We conducted some noise tests about a month before the event, which showed that we’d be fine if the wind was blowing from the east, but we may have problems if it was blowing from the west. So we worked closely with the Globe, agreed on levels that would work for both sides and it worked out very well,” said Capital’s Paul Timmins.

“Another challenge was the wide diversity of acts and, as it wasn’t an advertised event, many of the audience were passers by. We had to keep things moving, going from one act straight into another to keep people’s interest.”

After the live performances had finished, the event concluded with an outdoor screening of a film on protest music and its role in social movements, directed by award-winning writer and director Richard Curtis. Projected onto the Tate Modern building from Front of House, Capital Sound also supplied the sound reinforcement for this conclusion to the event.

"It was an absolute pleasure to work with Paul and all the team at Capital Sound,” added organiser Mark Pinder of Mark Pinder Management. “The company’s professionalism, advice and the help that was offered throughout the build and for the three days of shows, featuring so many different performers, was second to none."

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