17/03/2026

HELA Initiative at Production Futures On Tour in London

Adam Hill, HELA Initiative Governance Board Chair, was invited to speak at Production Futures On Tour at the Roundhouse in London on Monday, 9 March 2026. These events are focused on bridging the gap between education and employment by showcasing behind-the-scenes roles in touring, festivals and production, allowing students nearing the end of their education and recent graduates to gain insights into the varying career routes in live events and to network with key members of industry.

Adam’s talk, “Beyond “Turn it down” – HELA smart sound for better shows”, began with a look through his background, tracking his education, live music work and hearing health from the 1980s to the present day. This set the scene for addressing HELA Initiative’s core mission: facilitating excellent audience experiences while simultaneously preventing excessive sound exposure for those on site and limiting annoyance for those living near to a venue or event. Adam discussed with the crowd the reasons why we love live music and the potential issues around this. Specifically, he focused on what sets live music apart from listening at home over loudspeakers or on the go over earphones – it’s a full-sensory experience which, quite simply, is exciting and engaging. Part of this excitement comes from strong musical dynamics, sensed through our ears as well as our bodies, aligned with relevant lighting/video content, while surrounded by likeminded people immersed in the same experience. Certain sound levels are necessary to achieve this experience, however, meaning that there is the risk of overexposure to sound and noise pollution for the neighbours.

This is where HELA Certification comes in. Adam talked the audience through the topics covered in HELA Certification: audience expectations, the human hearing system, venue and sound system design, hearing protection and, of course, effective management and communication. He explained that knowledge and appreciation in all of these areas is necessary to ensure that excellent live event experiences are achieved in an effective, practical and sustainable manner.

Most of those present indicated that they were now interested in becoming HELA Certified, with Adam reminding them that, as students, HELA Certification can be accessed free of charge.