Bristol's largest independent music venue renews its sound with KV2

The complete renovation carried out in The Fleece has opted for audio technology KV2. Two boxes have been installed 3 VHD2.0 tracks, eight 18" passive subwoofers′ VHD4.18 and a couple of EX12 infills.

The Fleece has been offering live music and club nights since 1982, so it is not surprising that the facilities, including public address system, will need an update. The ambitious project consisted of a complete redesign of the interior, including a new larger stage with new Led screens, new lighting systems and a sound system KV2.

Located in a former sheep market, now a listed building, The Fleece is Bristol's largest independent music venue, where artists like Radiohead have performed, Oasis, Muse, Jeff Buckley, Coldplay, Sea Girls, Amy Winehouse, Frank Carter & Rattlesnakes, Queens Of The Stone Age, George Ezra y Ed Sheeran.

When the COVID-19 pandemic forced a temporary closure, saw the opportunity to carry out a complete renovation.

The technical director, Rich Munday, explains that the previous public address system had been operating at full capacity for twenty years, so it was time to update it.

“The forced closure caused by the Covid-19 pandemic was the opportunity to renovate the premises from top to bottom. The first time I heard the KV2 PA in action was at a demonstration in Plasa 2019. The sound was above anything I had ever heard., and I made a mental note that if the opportunity ever arose to get a new PA for The Fleece, I would recommend it”.

Munday also wanted this to be differentiated from others located in the city of Bristol. “I felt that if we wanted to be better, we had to be different. While other venues have opted for line arrays, I prefer a point source system.: with its well-defined high range, It is more immediate and has much more punch “.

After consulting with the KV2 team, Munday opted for a pair of mid/treble cabinets from 3 ways VHD2.0 complemented by eight 18” passive subwoofers′ VHD4.18 there are a few infills EX12.

“I had already created a 3D digital model of the premises for the remodeling, so, once we had a specific KV2 solution in mind, I was able to add it to the virtual model to check the exact fit and audio coverage requirements”.

Munday points out that the reactions to the system, from both visiting engineers and the public, They have been nothing but positive..

“Any coverage problem with our old public address system has been resolved with the KV2 system, especially in front of the public. Voices are clear and legible throughout the auditorium, but the compact format of the speaker systems means that the public address system does not dominate the performance space. Public comments have been very positive. They notice the difference and like the immersive experience”.