XL week for RSH Audio and Funktion-One
RSH Audio recently supplied equipment for two high-profile events held within a few days of each other in London, UK. The ‘XL Recordings & Young Turks present’ event on Monday 18 May and the Arsenal FC Foundation’s ‘Night to Inspire’ on Thursday 21 May both demanded high quality sound, which was delivered by RSH Audio, using Funktion-One loudspeakers.
The company’s Director, Joe Haycocks, is launching an offshoot called Event Technics, to cover the projects for which he is production manager, as well as supplier. This was the case for ‘XL Recordings & Young Turks present’ (Event Technics’ fifth project), for which it provided all of the entertainment technology. This included full-HD projection mapping, Robe and GLP lighting fixtures and the sound equipment – supplied by RSH Audio via Event Technics.
XL Recordings & Young Turks hosted two stages at The Sorting Office in Central London, which welcomed performances from Låpsley, Ibeyi and Shamir, as well as new video playbacks from a number of other artists.
“This is the second year running that I’ve provided equipment for the XL show and it was the fifth show under my new technical production brand, Event Technics. The show was an hour-long, completely seamless multimedia presentation with the video playback and three live performances seamlessly integrated,” explained Haycocks.
RSH Audio provided equipment on two opposing stages. Each one had a pair of Funktion-One Resolution 4s and two F218 Mk2 bass enclosures for FOH PA. Control came from a networked Yamaha system, comprising a QL1 on each stage for monitors, a Rio3224-D and a central CL3 at a central FOH position. Funktion-One F101s were deployed as fills for peripheral areas of the show.
Discussing the event, XL Recordings’ Emily Kendrick said: “It’s always such a pleasure working with RSH Audio on our events. The guys help enormously to realise our vision for events, and at the same time are professional, efficient and fun.”
Three days later, the venue was the Emirates Stadium, where the Arsenal Foundation held a star-studded fundraising event. Current first team players like Mesut Ozil, Aaron Ramsey and Theo Walcott were in attendance to enjoy the show through the Funktion-One speaker system, which included a live performance by Passenger.
Working to a brief set by Aztec Events (the in-house AV supplier at the Emirates Stadium), RSH Audio supplied four Funktion-One Resolution 4 loudspeakers over F218 Mk2 bass enclosures for the main system, together with four Funktion-One F81s for apron fills.
Reflecting on a successful week, Haycocks said: “It’s always fun to work on events with plenty of energy, and these two, while very different from each other, were definitely up there. It makes it easier from a production point of view – provided you’ve got the right equipment to channel that energy and vision, and step it up a notch or two. Thankfully we do.
“People don’t always realise the positive effect good audio can have on an event and its audience. The Funktion-One speakers, especially their precise dispersion, efficiency and clarity, simply couldn’t have been matched in these scenarios.”