Although the company was started 20 years ago by Jim Moore - largely to service the requirements of local favourites Lindisfarne - the latest initiative is very much the brainchild of Jim's son (and co-director) Jamie, who is determined to raise the profile of the company and get them onto the touring circuit.
High on his list of priorities was a stock of floor monitors that would take over from the old generation; but he set the company's long-term suppliers, the Birmingham branch of LMC Audio, with an exacting task, as sales director Sean Hames remembers. A shoot-out had to be arranged featuring four proprietary brands - but the new Martin Audio LE1500 was the winner - moving Martin Audio's classical LE700A into second place.
Says Jamie Moore, "The LE1500 was the nicest sounding wedge by far, and flattened other models that were double the price. We also liked the low-profile design which makes it much more suitable for television productions we handle, such as Teenage Cancer Trust. However, overall it was the sound we went for."
The company ordered the first 20 LE1500's off the production line, commissioning special flight cases from 5 Star Cases, who also made special biamp monitor racks. LMC Audio also supplied two of the new Martin WS218X high-powered 2x18's for bass extension to use in conjunction with the LE1500's for drum and side-fills.
The move has enabled Nitelites to relegate their old monitor fleet to its 'B' system, while they strive to develop their roster of local authority work and major one-off spectaculars.
"There will be a lot of big names performing in front of these," Moore continued. "We have already presented shows with Curtis Stigers, as well as Corinne Bailey Rae at Newcastle College Performance Academy."
Nitelites also regularly supplies equipment to other high profile local venues such as Newcastle City Hall, The Sage Gateshead and occasionally the Carling Academy, as well as the various local authorities in the north east.
(Jim Evans)
