BUENA PARK, Calif.—Along the banks of the Fox River in Aurora, Illinois, the new River Edge Park represents a strong collaborative effort between the public and private sectors, including businesses, environmental advocates, developers, and community members. The 30-acre park has a 10-acre Music Garden, with its John C. Dunham venue seating 8,500 including the lawn area. At a cost of 13.2 million dollars, the city of Aurora has taken a huge step in upgrading a former rust belt industrial area and turning it into the place to go for music during the summer months.
To kick off its first season, Gand Concert Sound (GCS) Elk Grove Village IL, aka “the NEXO guys” provided a NEXO Geo T sound system along with Yamaha PM5D-RH and M7CL-48 consoles for the opening weekend. The NEXO rig included 24 GEO T speakers, 12 CD-18 subs, plus PS-15 monitors and Alpha side fills powered by NX 4×4 amps. Entertainment included Buddy Guy, Dr. John, JJ Grey & Mofro, Tommy Castro, Robert Randolph Family Band, and the Stone Foxes for the weekend’s “Blues on the Fox” Festival.
GCS President, Gary Gand said, “It was a great way to start off our outdoor summer season here in the Midwest. BBQ, beer, and Buddy Guy are about as good as it can get under a star-filled sky by the Fox River.”
Audience comments overheard by crew covered the gamut from “I’m all the way in the back, and it sounds great,” to “I’m right in front and it sounds great,” showing off the even coverage provided by the NEXO speakers and GeoSoft plotting software.
Florida swamp rocker JJ Grey, the first artist to play on the park’s stage, had never been to Aurora before the park’s opening night, and called it “beautiful” saying the venue’s sound system, equipment procedures, and crowd made a great impression. Grey announced to the audience, “They killed it.” during his 90-minute set, referring to the new park.
For more information on Gand Concert Sound, visit www.gandconcertsound.com.
For more information on Yamaha and NEXO products, visit www.yamahaca.com.
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About Yamaha Commercial Audio Systems, Inc.:
Celebrating 125 years of Passion and Performance, and 25 years in the manufacturer of high quality digital audio consoles, Yamaha Commercial Audio Systems, Inc. (YCAS) provides a full line of integrated professional audio products offering complete systems solutions for the broadcast, sound reinforcement/installed sound, touring, commercial recording, and post production markets. With the addition of NEXO to the product line, the company remains the official U.S. and Canadian distributor for all NEXO speaker models. YCAS offers comprehensive in-house and field product training for its customers, a dedicated dealer network, and 24/7 technical support.
