Front-of-house engineer Gary Bradshaw, who is using X-Line for the first time, is delighted with the results, commenting: "The EV X-Line is more gutsy than some other line arrays, which suits Simply Red and what they are trying to achieve on the tour, namely to deliver a full-on sound, like being in a club. They don't want to sound like one of their CDs, rather they're trying to get across some of the excitement that they feel on stage. X-Line offers the best bass response of all the line arrays I've used, and vocally, it's fairly effortless all the way to the back, the high end is crystal clear."
Britannia Row flew left and right hangs of X-Line, with 10 Xls cabinets, two Xlt cabs and a single Xld cab in each hang. Each of the side hangs had four Xlt units plus a single Xls. Eight EVXi1152 full-range cabinets were used for in/out fill, and 20 XL sub-bass cabinets provided the low end so admired by Bradshaw. ElectroVoice's new Precision Series remote-controlled power amplifiers powered the rig. "I've been really impressed with the remote-controlled amplifiers from ElectroVoice," says Bradshaw. "I can tweak the amps from up here rather than having someone with their head under the stage - it really speeds things up."
Mick Hucknall, who is playing with an eight-piece band and two backing vocalists, is about to start a three-week tour on the continent, and Britannia Row will be providing the EV X-Line and the rest of the PA system for these shows.
(Lee Baldock)
