A wet Johannesburg did not put a damper on the Neon Run, held at the
Johannesburg Wanderers Stadium in May. Wizardry Group, who was the full
technical suppliers and production team, commissioned Festival Sound to provide
the sound at this year’s event. Two DiGiCo SD9 consoles were used for this
purpose, one for FOH and the other for monitors.
The Neon Run is an exciting night where runners, cyclists and walkers, covered in
neon accessories and body paint, cover a five kilometre route. The award at the
finish line is a party and entertainment by some of South Africa’s top performing
artists.
“As always the SD9 worked beautifully,’ said Petru Palmer of Festival Sound, who
worked at the Front of House along with Gabriel Le Roux on monitors. “It’s a solid
system and bullet proof. I love the sound, flexibility, stability and everything,
really, is amazing. The greatest challenge on this event was keeping all the gear
dry.’
Palmer was introduced to the entertainment industry many years ago when he
played in a band. “I got tired of people saying that the band was amazing but the
sound was horrible,’ he laughs. “Thirteen years ago I started doing sound. From the
word go I received good feedback and knew I had to be doing something
right.’
A DiGiCo user for over four years now, Palmer has run hundreds of successful
shows using his SD9 and SD8 consoles. More recently, Festival Sound purchased the
S21 from DWR Distribution, this entry-level console suitable for smaller type events
and venues.
