Depeche Mode just can’t get enough of Britannia Row

Depeche Mode’s Memento Mori tours marks the band’s 30th anniversary of working with audio rental specialist Britannia Row Productions.

Led by production manager Tony Gittins, with help from Britannia Row account executive, Dave Compton, the touring audio team has specified a range of high-end tools including an L-Acoustics K Series PA system, and SSL and Avid control surfaces.

Systems Engineer Terence Hulkes says: “Depeche Mode are a long-standing client of Brit Row’s, and as their crew, we aim to continue delivering – and improving upon – the standard of equipment and packaging that they have come to expect.

“I trained up through the Brit Row warehouse, so it’s the standard I’ve come to know and have a detailed knowledge of. Brit Row has a fantastic in-house team that is open to accommodating ideas and changes that the road crew know would be preferable for the client.”

The sound design comprises an L-Acoustics K Series arena/stadium package.

Hulkes adds: “In its arena configuration, the arrays fly within 4m to 5m of each other, and the sales line can go up to 220°. For arenas, we carry a third 270° array per side in order to meet the coverage requirements past the downstage edge line.”

The European stadium leg of the tour benefitted from L-Acoustics K1 main speaker arrays and flown KS28 subs next to the main hangs. KS28 subwoofers were placed on the ground in a three-high spaced sub arc. L-Acoustics KARA II and A15s ground fills gave coverage to the nearfield at the front, with the ever-changing stage heights and PA trim. Further K1 cabinets were utilised for the ground delays.

The system is driven by L-Acoustics LA12X amps, with two P1 processors on the front end, driving AVB to the amplifiers over an optical fibre loop with analogue redundancy. Hulkes uses a software combination of the M1 system in the P1 processors and SMAART.

Engineer Jamie Pollock, who is an expert at calibrating and optimising sound systems, was  unfamiliar with Britannia Row as a service provider prior to this tour. He says: “This is my first-time using Brit Row and the standard of equipment and crew has been nothing short of top quality.”

More than two million Depeche Mode fans have bought tickets to hear the band play in Europe and North America to date. The Memento Mori tour will reach a climax in April, with its final gig in Cologne – and Britannia Row Productions will be there every step of the way.