Thirty years after Oasis’ groundbreaking debut album “Definitely Maybe” first rocked the music world, Liam Gallagher set out to recreate that magic for a new generation. The challenge? Deliver an audio experience that would do justice to the iconic album across a series of sold-out UK arena shows.

To meet the challenge, Skan PA Hire, a Clair Global company, was tasked with crafting a professional sound system capable of unleashing the raw energy and crystal-clear nuances of Gallagher’s performances. The mission was clear: achieve consistent, powerful audio that would electrify audiences from the front row to the nosebleed seats.

“We needed a system with serious muscle, but also finesse, L-Acoustics was the obvious choice to meet those demands.”
Sam Parker, Front of House Engineer

Rising to the challenge, Systems Engineer Mark Pantlin designed a comprehensive concert touring system centred around renowned K Series line array speakers from L-Acoustics. The impressive setup features main hangs of 16 K1 over four K2 per side, complemented by side hangs of ten K1 over six K2 per side.

Low-end reinforcement is delivered through 12 flown K1-SB subs per side, while coverage to the outer seats of the 270° audience area is handled by two hangs of 12 K3 per side. On the ground, 24 KS28 subwoofers are arranged in eight pods of three, configured in a cardioid pattern for optimised rear rejection and control.

The system is rounded out with eight A10 Focus used as front-fills, six A15 Wide as out-fills, and four delay arrays of eight K2 each to ensure well defined and crystal-clear sound throughout the venue.

Pantlin highlights the system’s versatility, noting, “We created a controlled stage environment with good low-end rejection by positioning the K1-SB subs off-stage of the main arrays, working in conjunction with the cardioid ground sub array.”
L-Acoustics Soundvision software played a crucial role in the system design process.

“Soundvision is invaluable from the very beginning of the design process right through to show day,” Pantlin explains. “It very accurately helps us see what the end result will be before the system is even installed.”

The result? A sonic experience that transported audiences back to the heady days of Britpop while delivering the punch and clarity expected by modern concertgoers. From the opening chords of “Rock ‘n’ Roll Star” to the last echoes of “Married with Children,” the L-Acoustics system ensured that every seat in the house felt the music’s full impact.

Images
© Aimee Todd
© Dan Reid

Find out more here:

l-acoustics.com