"Britrow have given me L-Acoustics K1 for the arenas but I must admit I was surprised when they turned up with K2 for these first two; I thought I'd be getting V-dosc, that's what I'd spec'd."
"We were always going to provide the smaller K2 for side hangs at the larger venues," explained Britannia Row Productions' client liaison, Lez Dwight. "Putting them on the truck for these first two shows was a sensible solution. More to the point, Mark is an experienced engineer who we know well; we're always interested to get feedback from engineers of his stature when they try out our new systems on their own for the first time."
Kennedy has used Britannia Row Productions for many varied acts over the years, yet despite his relaxed attitude to the job in hand, he makes measured considerations. "I just want to mix the show and as far as system is concerned, I think you always have to get the best out of what you are given."
Kennedy mixes from an Avid Profile while Raphael Williams on monitors uses a Soundcraft Vi4. "This was the first time I'd ever heard K2 and I loved it," continued Kennedy. "In fact I was astonished at how good it could sound. During the show I don't need to know if the system tech' has cut 3kHz a couple of dB off the front fills; I can't walk there myself and check. So I do ask for the people I want.
"Adam Smith, my system tech' on this, has toured Faithless and Pendulum with me as well and I'm happy to leave him to it. Besides, I believe if you empower people to do the job it gives them a vested interest in doing it well. It's the same with my other crew people: Nico Ryan did the Young Voices arena tour with me recently and is very reliable; Warren Grimsley, I first took out when he was just a trainee with the company. Britrow do a good job on that score, these are well trained people you can trust to do the job right."
Though the tour ends in April, Tinie Tempah will be playing festivals in July. There are three currently listed. Meanwhile Kennedy is eying up another outing with Knife Party.
(Jim Evans)
