Having broken his leg while onstage in Gothenburg, Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl returned to the stage for a 43-date North American leg of the bean’s Sonic Highways tour. Appearing at Washington, DC’s RFK Stadium with Grohl on a motorised throne, the band’s FOH loudspeaker system was based on an L-Acoustics K1/K2 system provided through Delicate Productions by Special Event Services.
Delicate President Jason Alt says he has has taken the same approach for previous tours, based on the acceptance of L-Acoustics’ K1 system. In fact, Alt’s success with K1 prompted him to order a K2 system for his own company.
For the remainder of the tour, the system’s main hangs for stadium dates will comprise 16 K1 enclosures atop four K2 down enclosures per side, along with either three delay towers using 16 K2s or two towers using 20 K2s, depending on the layout of the venue. In arenas, the system is slightly scaled back, with 14 K1 enclosures atop four K2 down boxes, 12 more K2 for out fill arrays, five Kara enclosures for front fill across the stage lip, and Kara and ARCS boxes for side fills. A total of 42 SB28 subs will serve the stadium shows with 14 for arena system configuration. These are stacked in accordance Foo Fighters’ long-time FOH mixer Bryan Worthen’s preference. LA8 amplified controllers housed in 12 LA-Raks power and process all systems.
Delicate Productions took delivery of its K2 boxes at the end of June: ‘The way we had been doing it in the past had been part of a strategy that saw us invest in other directions,’ Alt says, explaining how sub-renting the L-Acoustics systems enabled them to balance themselves in the larger ecosystem of tour sound. ‘It created some important strategic relationships with other companies. But it was a good time to make the move with the K2. Not just for the band, but because of L-Acoustics’ market acceptability, which was the main reason – it’s the number-one name we see on riders now.’
Alt describes the K2 acquisition as a strategic advantage, based on the K2 delivering the K1 sonic signature in a smaller, lighter package, reducing transportation costs. ‘That’s also going to be important for corporate shows, which make up the next largest part of our business,’ says Alt. ‘It’s going to be a very busy system – so it’s turning out to be a very promising investment.’
The Foo Fighters’ opening show in DC marked the 20th anniversary of the band’s debut album and followed sets from Buddy Guy, Gary Clark Jr, Heart, Joan Jett, LL Cool J, Trombone Shorty and RDGLDGRN.
‘The show went great,’ Alt adds. ‘Bryan had a good show and was very happy at the end of the night. I got to mix the opening act, so it gave me chance to evaluate the system as well. I couldn’t be happier with the K2 investment that Delicate has made and was blown away by the performance.’
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Genelec smooths the ride for Foos' Highways documentary
