It’s all pluses as Clear-Com supports Ed Sheeran’s tour

An expansive Clear-Com system supplied by Major Tom is providing the backbone for Ed Sheeran’s 18-month Mathematics Tour.

The concerts play out on five stages placed around each venue: a centre stage with a revolving rim that offers 360° visibility of the singer, and four platforms for members of his band who occasionally accompany him, each at the bottom of six ‘masts’ that act as counterweights in a sophisticated pulley rigging set-up for a 42-tonne halo above the main stage.

Pyrotechnics also feature heavily in the spectacle, with flame throwers making regular appearances and each gig culminating with a fireworks display.

There are a lot of elements to the technical side of the production. To pull off this technological extravaganza across 105 shows, every member of every department – lighting, audio, video, stage management, riggers and automation – needs to be in constant communication, not only from a health and safety perspective but to handle the massive infrastructure deployed for Mathematics.

The intercom system comprises five four-channel HelixNet Digital Network Partyline remote stations, a FreeSpeak II Wireless Intercom System and LQ Series IP Interfaces to distribute over the IP network.

HelixNet beltpacks are distributed across six remote camera operators, while an antennae splitter distributes the IP network to three transceivers across the show grounds. All the various departments utilise the same system on their own dedicated HelixNet channel.

Audio systems engineer Adam Wells says: “It’s the first time we’ve had a show with this many bells and whistles and moving parts, and it’s so busy and loud everywhere, it’s an absolute necessity to have that level of clear communication.

“With HelixNet and FreeSpeak, it’s crystal clear. That’s a game-changer to have clear communications for everyone, particularly when dealing with elements like pyro and weather emergencies.

“Clear-Com’s systems are robust. It’s set up in a way that it just turns on and works seamlessly every day, allowing all the various crews on tour to collaborate with ease. You just plug it in, it works – and it’s crystal-clear.”