The 2022 edition of cinch presents Creamfields North, one of the world’s biggest electronic music festivals that celebrated its 25th anniversary in the UK village of Daresbury, presented 250 artists on 12 stages two of which were supported by Capital Sound (a Solotech company) deploying a range of Martin Audio loudspeaker systems.
Headliners this year included Calvin Harris, David Guetta and Hardwell, among others, all performing alongside the likes of Becky Hill, Bicep Live, Eric Prydz, Patrick Topping, Pete Tong, Martin Garrix, Jax Jones, Scooter and Armin van Buuren. All performances were DJ playback, and as is customary, each of the stages changed name on a daily basis.
Working with production director Ian Greenway of LarMac Live, Solotech was responsible for “Stage 3” — a large TFS structure — and the outdoor “Stage 8” (a.k.a. “Runway Stage”), which saw the introduction of a new concept stage.
Solotech fielded 11 Martin Audio MLA elements with an MLD Downfill at the base on both sides of Stage 3, and further front fills were provided by four DD12 while an array of 13 MLX subwoofers in cardioid ran across the front. Set back in the rear of the compound were two delay masts of 10 MLA Compact enclosures, ground stacked on risers. Overseeing this for Solotech was system tech and crew chief Olly Fallon.
Stage 8, meanwhile, was designed as a unique self-supporting, eight-leg truss structure, from which a WPL PA was flown. The upstage goalposts (left and right) supported WPL, and delays consisted of two hangs of eight WPS, were flown from the last goalposts of the truss structure.
Rayne Ramsden, crew chief and system tech on this stage, reported that as the first time WPL had been used in this context, it was a success. “The coverage was exceptional, from the front to the very back,” he states, adding that dance fans surged in to extend the area back some 40 meters beyond the front of house position. “Even with that extra capacity WPL catered for the extended throw distance with no trouble at all.”
The complement of loudspeakers that made it possible were hangs of 13 WPL with a further three WPL fills down on each side of the stage upstage from the main PA hangs. These were supported by an additional four DD12 , providing extra front fills, and a broadside array of 13 MLX subwoofers providing low-frequency extension.
Greenway concludes, “We know Solotech well, and their willingness to adapt and overcome at Creamfields is more important than ever as we start to migrate to newer and more unique structures. With two Creamfields festivals a year now, we’re looking forward to further developing the relationship.”
Creamfields marked its 25th year by launching a second edition—Creamfields South, which was staged early June at Hylands Park in Chelmsford and attracted 50,000.
