Robbie Williams Live at Fed Square
Date
2 January, 2025
Location
Federation Square
Team
Melbourne
It’s not every day you have the opportunity to manage the technical production for a world-class entertainer. As the in-house audio visual partner at Fed Square, we’ve come to know the iconic venue very well and were thrilled to be trusted to deliver the audio visual requirements when Robbie Williams came to town for a surprise pop up show.
With 12,000 fans flocking to Fed Square and the overflow site at Birrarung Marr to celebrate the release of Robbie’s biopic film Better Man (shot right here in Melbourne), it was certainly an afternoon to remember and an event we’re very honoured to say we could be a part of.
The Brief:
For a world-class entertainer like Robbie Williams, pristine audio quality is imperative. With his appearance comprising of a 40 minute set + Q&A session, Robbie’s team were adamant that everyone in the audience (even those right up the back!) could hear with total clarity.
Our key objective was to make sure the Fed Square appearance matched the impact of any other Robbie Williams concert (no pressure 😁). This required a high-level specification of equipment befitting of an international superstar, while also working within the limits of Fed Square’s existing infrastructure and building surrounds.
The Challenge:
As a heritage listed site, there were a few obstacles to keep us on our toes in pre-production.
The Square itself is an uphill tunnel surrounded by glass buildings which creates a rather challenging acoustical environment in front of the stage, while the right FOH audience area slopes in an upwards direction on one half and down on the other half towards Flinders Street.
With the event only announced to the public 24 hours prior, the anticipated crowd was also an unknown but given Robbie’s star-quality, we planned accordingly and designed the audio system for a full capacity crowd.
How We Made it Happen:
With a large site footprint to cover – including all available viewing areas of the Square and a delay screen at Birrarung Marr – a large format PA (that would be our usual choice for an audience of this size) was not going to work due to the limiting acoustic and physical environmental factors. In liaison with Robbie Williams’ production team and our FOH operator James (Oysters) Kilpatrick, we made the decision to go with a more distributed PA system approach.
An L-Acoustics A15 system was used for the nearfield of the main stage (covering about 45m in all directions) with L/R main hangs, L./R outfill and A10 front fills. These were complemented with 9 double 18″ subs in a sub array configuration for maximum pattern control of the bottom end. The house Fohhn system with its beam steering capabilities delivered the next 40m of coverage, keeping the acoustic reflections off the surrounding buildings while the final 20m at the very end of the Square was complemented with two staggered mini towers of L-Acoustics A10s. The system was fully time aligned with L-Acoustics’ P1/M1.
Getting signal to delay stacks up to 100m away, through more than 10,000 people neatly and safely was no easy feat but as usual our resident AVoIP expert Mike was up to the task.
Using Netgear AVline switches, we created an ad-hoc AVB network utilising Fed Square’s existing fibre infrastructure. This solution allowed us to deliver discreet signals to the delay stacks via fibre connections under the Square as well as Dante to the house delay. With almost no cable runs used above ground it was a tidy solution for effective site coverage and OH&S friendly.
But it didn’t stop with audio! Our expert crew also managed the live camera package and lighting for the Main Square stage + our video feeds ensured visitors in all corners of the site and overflow area at Birrarung Marr could soak up the electric atmosphere for this once in a lifetime experience.
We’re very proud of the whole crew’s efforts to help deliver this incredible, history-making show for Fed Square. It’s a true testament to the capabilities of our nimble team who are always ready to embrace a challenge. What a way to kick off 2025 and definitely one for the pool room!
Robbie Williams Live at Fed Square was made possible thanks to Fed Square, City of Melbourne, Gold 104.3, I Heart Radio Australia and Roadshow
Professional Photography courtesy of Mitch Lowe for Fed Square
Client Testimonial:
