In its ninth year V attracted its biggest crowd of over 130,000 music fans to the host sites; Hylands Park Chelmsford and Weston Park Staffordshire. Over 40 bands performed at the festivals with big name acts The Strokes and Muse headlining the main stages. Other main acts included The Pixies, The Charlatans, Dido and Pink.
SSE Hire supplied the audio equipment for both the V Main and NME stages at both sites. The main stages utilized identical Nexo Geo T systems with Alpha delay towers. The FOH mix was via two Midas Heritage 3000s working on a flip-flop system with one engineer setting up at the same time as the opposite console is in use. Monitor systems were handled in the same way, using two Midas XL3s. The PA system chosen for the NME stage was the JBL Vertec, which is the alternative line array system favoured by SSE. FOH mix on this stage was a Midas Heritage 3000 and monitors via a Midas XL3.
The following weekend saw the three-day Carling festivals also having another successful sell-out year at the Reading and Leeds twin sites. The festival is notorious for its diverse range of attractions, from classic rock and alternative music to dance styles, comedy and film. This years festival lived up to its alternative scene by headlining with The Darkness, Greenday and The White Stripes.
Once again SSE provided the audio systems for all stages and tents at both sites. The PA system used for the main stage was Geo T, combined with Geo S delay towers. FOH and monitor consoles mirrored those at the V sites the previous weekend. The Radio 1 stages used the JBL Vertec system with a Soundcraft Series 5 console mixing at front of house and a Midas XL3 console on monitors.
SSE's John Penn commented: "We've been handling both sites at these large events for so long now that we know exactly what's required in terms of equipment and management. Our crews have a vast amount of experience in changeovers. When engineers show up they usually breathe a huge sigh of relief when they see our engineers and technicians as they are confident that they'll get the help they need and that their show will run to time with the minimum of fuss. Our engineers always manage to give a high level of support to all of the engineers, be they first on or headliners, which is pretty amazing when you consider the amount of bands on at these events each day, day on day. I'm always impressed with their consistent professionalism and good humour! It's been another highly successful summer for SSE."
(Sarah Rushton-Read)
