USA - The expertise of live sound engineers Malcolm Gil and Ben Rothstein converged at Lollapalooza this summer, where they were part of the team supporting US breakout pop star Chappell Roan.
At Full Sail University, Rothstein built a solid foundation in audio engineering and pursued a position at Clair Brothers. "I've been with them for almost 18 years, starting as a PA tech and working my way up through various roles," he shares. His career-defining moment came in 2018 when he was entrusted with mixing monitors for Queen.
After gaining experience at Third Encore in Burbank, Gil took a leap into touring with a West Coast reggae band, Rebelution, in 2017, and has been on the road ever since. He now mixes for artists including Ice Spice, Khalid, Labrinth, and now Chappell Roan.
At Lollapalooza, Gil, serving as both monitor engineer and stage manager, was responsible for managing 12 stereo mixes for the artist, band, and crew. The challenge was heightened by the rapid rise in the artist’s popularity, which led to an afternoon set without a sound check. "This 'throw and go' situation added a lot of pressure," Gil explains.
Without the luxury of a dedicated soundcheck, everything had to be set up swiftly and flawlessly. However, he still managed to handle the situation effectively, noting: "For me, the Avid S6L console was crucial because it’s reliable. The workflow and the easy patching capabilities help me even with limited time.”
Rothstein’s role was equally critical, after being thrust into the FOH position shortly before the massive Lollapalooza show. At Lollapalooza, he was tasked with mixing the show at front of house and generating broadcast stems. The logistical challenges were daunting, from balancing the nuances of live sound with the complexities of broadcast audio. However, with careful preparation, Rothstein ensured everything was ready. During the show, he focused on delivering the best possible mix, leveraging Avid’s technology to meet the demands of both the live audience and the broadcast.
The festival turned out to be a major success, with Chappell Roan’s performance drawing a record-breaking crowd of 110,000 – the largest in Lollapalooza history.
