Music

Photography by Joel Fildes

After a five-year hiatus, Janelle Monáe made a triumphant return to Europe in the summer of 2024, reconnecting with the Adlib team for a diverse run of shows. The tour showcased a mixture of festival appearances, support slots for Coldplay's summer stadium tour, and headline performances in London, Manchester, and Paris. A highlight of the tour was an extraordinary three-night residency at one of the UK's most exciting new venues, Aviva Studios in Manchester.

The partnership between Adlib and Monáe, which began in 2010, continued to flourish as the team provided comprehensive technical production services for the 10-time GRAMMY®-nominated singer, songwriter, producer, performer, actor, and fashion icon throughout the UK and Europe. This long-standing relationship allowed Adlib to tailor their support to the unique requirements of each venue on the tour.

Given the varied nature of the performances, Adlib demonstrated remarkable versatility in their approach. They provided a range of packages that could be scaled up or down based on the specific needs of each venue where Monáe performed. The core of the touring package included Front of House (FOH) and Monitor control systems, Wireless Microphone Systems, In-Ear Monitoring Systems, and Lighting Control. Adlib expanded its offering for headline shows to include additional audio, lighting, and video components, seamlessly complementing existing in-house flown systems.

The three-night residency at The Hall in Aviva Studios, Manchester, was a particular triumph. It marked Monáe's return to the city since her last performance in 2018 as part of the Dirty Computer Tour. In the intervening years, Monáe had released the highly anticipated "The Age of Pleasure," which formed the centrepiece of her performances in Manchester. Over the course of the residency, Monáe delivered what critics hailed as "a masterclass in progressive showbiz spectacle," with Adlib playing a crucial role in bringing this vision to life.

Monáe's show was an intricate production divided into distinct chapters, each with its own unique atmosphere. The performance was characterised by a variety of costume changes, diverse show states, and carefully curated content. Intricately woven flower and tropical themes, drawing inspiration from "The Age of Pleasure" album, were prevalent throughout the production.

As specified by the Lighting Designer Calvin Johnson, the visual aspects included a comprehensive lighting floor package. This package featured Ayrton Khamsin-S Profiles, GLP impression X4 Bar 20s, GLP JDC-1s, and Robe Forte with RoboSpot follow spot system, all powered by a StageSmarts C72tv power distribution unit.

The lighting system was expertly operated by Johnson using a grandMA3 full-size lighting console, which had been scaled up from the light version of the console used for non-headline shows on the tour. This allowed for greater flexibility and control over the complex lighting designs required for the headline performances.

Video content played a significant role in the production, heavily utilising real-time generative content playback effects provided by the Disguise GX2C Server Package. This cutting-edge technology allowed for dynamic and responsive visuals throughout the performance. The content was displayed on an impressive upstage ROE Visual Vanish 8 Touring LED video wall, measuring 10 metres wide by 7 metres high, creating an immersive backdrop for Monáe's performance.

To feed the real-time effects, Adlib supplied a broadcast camera package. This included three channels: two Panasonic UE160 PTZ Cameras with RP150GJ Controller for on-stage coverage and a Panasonic UC4000 with Canon UJ90 Box Lens. The latter, positioned at the Front of House, offered Video Director Rama Van Gils a wide variety of shots thanks to its powerful 90x zoom and 9-810mm focal length.

The audio setup was equally impressive, with Adlib providing control packages for both the Front of House and Monitors mixing positions, a complete in-ear monitoring system, and a Wireless Microphone package. For the FOH Engineer,  Justin Niles, Adlib supplied a DiGiCo Quantum 338 Mixing Console, complete with Waves and a FOH Rack that included a Lake LM44 Package and Ruper Neve Outboard, featuring the Shelford Channel and Master Buss Transformer.

The monitor system, controlled by Monitor Engineer Emmanuel Howell-Griffin, consisted of a DiGiCo SD10 control surface equipped with Waves and two SD Racks shared between both consoles. The in-ear monitoring system comprised 4 ways of Sennheiser 2000 IEM for Monáe herself and 14 ways of Shure PSM1000 IEM with 22 packs for the band and production team, split across K10E and G10E ranges.

The Wireless Microphone package was tailored to meet the high standards of Monáe's performance. It included 4 ways of Sennheiser Digital 6000 on DPA 4018V Capsules for the American singer, while her band used 10 ways of Shure Axient Digital. The Adlib team utilised British RF Specialists, Mission Control Ltd, to ensure flawless wireless performance for RF coordination and licensing for the whole tour.

While this formed the core of the touring audio package used throughout the summer, Adlib also provided additional monitoring for Monáe's headline shows. This included side fills comprising two L-Acoustics A15 loudspeakers over two L-Acoustics KS28 subwoofers per side, and a singular L-Acoustics SB18 subwoofer deployed for drums, ensuring a rich and full sound experience for both the performers and the audience.

Reflecting on the tour, Leah Coyle, Adlib's Account Manager, commented: "It was incredible to work with the Janelle Monáe team. The company has been involved with her shows since 2010, and this is my 3rd European Tour for this client, so it's fantastic to see her evolution as an Artist, constantly pushing boundaries when it comes to her performance as well as her outlook on the world. We're all fans here at Adlib, and we're looking forward to working together again in the future!"

Janelle Monáe's 2024 European tour, particularly her residency at Manchester's Aviva Studios, not only showcased her artistic evolution but also highlighted the seamless integration of cutting-edge technology with visionary performance style. The continued collaboration between Monáe and technical partners like Adlib ensures that her artistic vision is realised with precision and flair, delivering unforgettable experiences for audiences across Europe.