01/05/2026

Reflections on a HELA Certified tour

It is a strange aspect of the life of a touring musician or engineer that you will circumnavigate the globe in just over a month.

Originally, this tour was meant to include a show in Abu Dhabi, but it was inevitably cancelled. The tour now moves to North America and returns to Europe for the Festival season. I am back now, having only done the first leg. Jet-lagged as I am, it was a very positive experience. From an engineering perspective, it was great to revisit some venues I really like and to visit some new places. Every venue has its own set of challenges, and some are more challenging than others. On this run, the one that, on paper, should have been the hardest was, for me, the most fun.

The Tivoli in Brisbane came with a vintage sound system and restrictions on low-frequency. It was hard work, watching dynamics and keeping just below the sound level. However, there is something about a venue of between 1500-2500 people that strikes a good balance between intimate and sizeable. Everyone is close enough to the stage to feel involved. The crowd is large enough that you can become immersed in its collective dynamic. The room is small enough not to feel too spacious and daunting, and big enough that you avoid the problems of ‘small room’ acoustics. There is enough space for the sound to resonate without becoming overly reverberant.

I think that if you polled experienced engineers, they would probably all list venues around this size as the most fun to mix in. Take some nice, acoustically absorbent upholstery, resulting in short reverberation times, a proscenium arch to add some separation between stage and hall, and a nice, high roof over the stage, and you have the makings of a great show.

The attitude of the staff and the vibe of the venue are equally important. Alongside this, the collective knowledge of the venue is important. Having a good house crew makes all the difference. Experience helps, as many questions are answered before you have thought of them!

From a HELA Initiative perspective, some great conversations were started, many face to face. These will continue now, albeit via email and the odd online meeting. The impetus for change is tangible, and I would encourage everyone to join the conversation. HELA Initiative was started by a group of professionals spanning North America, Europe, and Australia. It is now a group that spans 35 countries! 

I don’t know if I will get to this part of the world again, but if I don’t, the fond memories of this tour will sustain me. See you during the festival season! Come and say hello!

 

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