“They are the band of the future,” states Gary Gand, President of Gand Concert Sound, which provided PA for the big show at the University of Chicago. “First came the White Stripes, then the Black Keys. The band’s singer, Alex Krauss, tore it up on vocals with a hand-held wireless mic. She chose songs on her iPod, which runs stereo, while guitarist Derek Edward played through a literal wall of guitar stacks. Four channels and you’re done!”
Gand Concert Sound provided a pair of Yamaha PM5D Digital Audio Consoles and a 12-box flown NEXO GEO S12 rig with six NEXO CD18 subs. Alpha side fills and PS15 wedges rounded out the rig that was powered by NEXO 4×4 amps.
“We did our first major show at University of Chicago’s Mandel Hall in the spring of 1976,” Gand says. “The bill included country swing stars Asleep at the Wheel, acapella group Sweet Honey and the Rock, juju musician King Sunny Ade, and jazz guitar prodigy, George Benson. Benson came out in a white tux, opened his mouth and sang “Masquerade” from his new, unreleased album Breezin’, which rocketed to up the charts to #1 that summer. It’s great to be working in the same venue 36 years later with a new generation of music fans listening to today’s bands through the best audio gear.”
For more information on Gand Concert Sound, visit www.gandconcertsound.com.
