Big Talu Music Service of Mondovì, Italy (in collaboration with Fumasoli Service, of Aosta, Italy) was awarded the sound and lighting contract. The main sound system utilized one cluster per side of 16 Martin Audio W8L line array loudspeakers with an additional 8 W8Ls being focused on the bleachers. Two clusters of Martin Audio W8LM were in service as side fills. Lab.gruppen fP 6400 and fP 3400 amplifiers drove the whole system, reliably and efficiently. XTA DP226s and DP224s affected system control on an Audiocore network. On-stage reinforcement was provided by a pantheon of no less then 52 LE400C and LE12JB Martin Audio stage monitors, again all Lab.gruppen powered.
Volumi all' Idorgeno was organized to provide an appropriate climax to the Turin International Book Fair. The Allen Ginsberg novel, Juke Box all'Idrogeno, inspired the event's name, which was also deemed highly appropriate as many old hydrogen generators were used to power some of the scenic structures. Each musical performance was specially created to illustrate a particular story or themed to be evocative of a particular book. It was described by the organizers as "more of a happening than a traditional concert."
The show lasted over four hours with virtually no intervals. The capacity crowd enjoyed a continuous stream of almost "rave-like" electronic images, lights, words and music. In addition to Subsonica (making their only 2006 live appearance), other performances came from Africa Unite, Linea 77, Marlene Kunz, Mau Mau, Perturbazione, E'LIA and Gatto Ciliegia.
(Lee Baldock)
