Banana Block, a community space in East Belfast, Ireland that made its debut in October 2021 as part of an extensive neighborhood revitalization initiative, regularly welcomes various events such as art exhibitions, comedy nights, live performances and parties that are supported by a recently upgraded sound reinforcement system utilizing Martin Audio XD15 point source loudspeakers joined by SX118 subwoofers.
Conleth McGillan, production and programming manager at Banana Block, says, “Banana Block is all about upskilling people from our community, especially those who might not have had opportunities elsewhere. We want to give them the chance to learn new skills and understand what goes into running events while aligning with our mission to benefit the working-class community around us. It’s been a game-changer for us as a startup, allowing us to offer more to our community.”
Northern Ireland-based Rea Sound provided the system design and installation, with company director Roger McMullan stating, “We knew the Martin Audio XD15/SX118 system would be ideal for Banana Block.”
For both aesthetic enhancement and equipment protection, wooden front covers enclose the subs, while padded covers were employed to safeguard the tops during transport and storage, helping to preserve their appearance. To maximize mobility, four braked wheels were affixed to the subs.
A Martin IKON IK42 4-channel DSP amplifier drives the loudspeakers housed in a flight case with a shock mount to safeguard it during transit and handling. Additionally, a K&M M20 Pole was provided for positioning of the tops at the desired height.
Banana Block has embarked on an incredible journey as McGillan reflects, “It’s been quite an experience so far. We’ve hosted a few smaller events, including a supper club gathering with a live stream and a DJ, although we encountered some acoustic hurdles due to the venue’s glass surfaces and hard walls. But we’re making significant strides in addressing these issues with planned investments in soundproofing.
“Additionally, we’ve got plans to set up a recording studio, with releases coming up in the next few weeks. Our aim is to transform Banana Block into more than just a standard venue; we want it to be a hub for culture, music, and art.”
