Childish Gambino: This Is America Tour — World Tour

Project Description

Although Childish Gambino’s This is America Tour has been announced as his final trek, Donald Glover is far from slowing down as a prolific dynamo of originality. As a producer, director, writer, comedian, DJ, recording artist and live performer, the modern-day Renaissance Man is absolutely at the top of his game and, according to Variety, “on an upward trajectory that’s rarely seen for a musical artist, let alone an is-there-anything-he-can’t-do polymath who channels so much creativity into so many different projects.” The same relentless pursuit of creativity that makes the Emmy and Grammy winner one of the most relevant and important artists of our time drove his tour director, tour management choose L-ISA technology to create an immersive experience with a non-traditional show for 20,000-seat, sold-out arena on this tour.

Sound Design Solution

A classic design would use a left-right configuration of 18 K1 per side and 24 KS28. To widen the sonic panorama an L-ISA Scene system comprised three center arrays of 15 K2 flanked by a pair of 21-enclosure Kara arrays. For increased horizontal spread, four arrays of 15 Kara were flown, two per side, outside of the Scene system as an additional L-ISA Extension system, while two arrays of 13 K2 were deployed to provide coverage to the seats on the extreme sides of the stage. Palpable low frequency coverage was delivered by two adjacent center hangs of eight KS28 each, flown in a cardioid configuration, while an additional eight ground-stacked KS28 provided LF reinforcement to the near-field audience. Six Kara spread across the stage lip provided front fill, and the entire system was driven by LA12X amplified controllers housed in LA-RAK II touring racks.

Setup

L-ISA Design L-ISA Design
L/R Design L/R Design
Technical Information
TypeUS Arenas
Venue52m deep x 90m wide
Stage19.5m wide x 1.5m high
FOH30m from D.S.E
Sound Design Target
Program typeHip Hop/Rap
SPL max average>= 108 dBA
SPL distribution6 – 9 dB
Frequency contour9 – 12 dB (@ 100hz)
Frequency contour12 – 14 dB (@ 40hz)

Mapping

L-ISA Design L-ISA Design
L/R Design L/R Design
L/R Coverage

Strong Imaging

Weak Imaging
L-ISA Coverage

Strong Imaging

Weak Imaging

The L-ISA system has the capability to improve the overall breadth and dynamic possibilities for a live concert experience. It can really widen and improve the aural experience in a multitude of settings and shows.

Christian Coffey, Childish Gambino Tour Director