The 2005 Bradford Mela attracted 300,000 visitors over the two days. From the Sanskrit 'to meet', the Mela originates from the Indian subcontinent and is now a worldwide celebration of the art, craft, culture and community of South Asia, both traditional and modern.
Entertainment ranged from workshops on cookery, dancing and meditation, to a spectrum of musical acts from traditional artists to DJ's.
The main stage hosted fourteen acts over the two days, including the Indie-Bhangra band, Cassava Music; Bollywood-style, Orchestra Music World; Asian-rock band, Trick Baby; pop singer, Faakhir; and the Mercury Prize winning, Talvin Singh Trio.
"The audio requirements for the weekend's diverse line-up varied from simple playback and guitar-based bands, to large traditional Asian acoustic-instrument groups," commented monitor engineer, Rod Clarkson. "The ML5000's logical navigation, mute/VCA functions, and advanced PFL facilities helped me manage the tight changeovers between bands. The desk provided absolute control over the stage, and the multitude of outputs made it possible for me to provide ten stage mixes, plus severalIEM mixes, and feeds for DJ's, playback and talkback returns where required."
The main stage sound system comprised a Meyer Sound Milo system, with Nexo wedge monitors, and a Logic system for sidefills. All cabled and radio microphones were from Audio Technica.
(Jim Evans)
