BOSTON: A challenging wireless gig produced a Professional Wireless Systems technical home run for Aerosmith’s recent Fenway Park concert. Top secret plans called for the bands front man, Steven Tyler to run from the stage through a walk tunnel and up to the top of the legendary “Green Monster” where a white grand piano awaited his “Dream On” performance.
Chuck Bogard, wireless coordinator with the Aerosmith tour knew the Fenway Park location would present significant connectivity issues and that PWS had resolved similar situations for multiple Super Bowls and other demanding live shows. Contacting company rep Grant Oberg at PWS global headquarters in Orlando, Fla. Bogard described the situation. Oberg and PWS RF Technician, John Garrido, deployed a formidable wireless package to augment the tours existing wireless set up. Two RF line amps,
a few splitters, three PWS Helicals, a pair of LPDA antennas and a Bi-directional antenna, working in tandem with the tours’ PWS GX-8 amplifier/combiner guaranteed hyper-dependable coverage required for the gig.
“Steven had a 500 ft. run to the top of the Green Monster, up several flights of stairs and around a few corners, he had to be assured of total connectivity every step of the way,” Bogard says. “The PWS team helped us expand our system, and the GX-8 brought it all together. It’s an absolute mainstay of the tour,” he says. “Its not uncommon for us to have 25+ wireless packs working on site. Besides the band, we’ve got 10 crew members wearing body packs, as well as wardrobe, security, and guests. The high output power of the GX-8 enables us to split up the outputs between multiple antennas for extensive coverage. Drop-outs are simply unheard of. I consider it the most valuable piece of equipment in the rack.”
Connectivity between Aerosmith and the fans was equally flawless. A “grand slam” was had by all at Fenway Park. So dream on kids, with PWS, anything’s possible.
Photos: 1. Steven Tyler performs “Dream Onâ€? atop the Fenway Park “Green Monsterâ€?
2. Wireless Coordinator Chuck Bogard at the racks.
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Founded in 1936 by a trio of Broadway stagehands, Masque Sound evolved into one of NYC’s most successful theatrical sound reinforcement, installation and design companies specializing in live concert, TV Broadcast, corporate, industrial, theatrical, house of worship and sports events. The firm’s 3rd generation owners Geoff and James Shearing also operate Florida-based Professional Wireless Systems, a leader in the development and implementation of wireless technology. The company’s 70,000 sq. ft. corporate headquarters and main assembly facility is located at 21 East Union Ave., East Rutherford, NJ, twenty minutes from mid-town Manhattan. (201) 939 8666, www.masquesound.com
