That Damn Show, a one-day alternative rock festival sponsored by Phoenix radio station KEDJ The Edge, drew a packed crowd of 15,000-plus to hear a lineup of alternative rock acts that included Stained, Lit, Alien Ant Farm, Pennywise and Jimmy Eat World. The bands alternated between two mirror imaged stages erected on the outfield of a baseball stadium at the Peoria Sports Complex in suburban Phoenix. To provide a seamless transition, each stage was equipped with nearly identical Martin Wavefront loudspeaker systems provided by Tempe, Arizona-based Sunbelt Scenic Studios.

Sunbelt worked with Radio Events Group in co-ordinating all aspects of the show production, while providing all staging, lighting, and audio.

At the show production was split into two independent systems. On the ‘left’ stage, the flown L and R incorporated 24 Martin W8C full range cabinets, 24 W8CS low frequency units, and four W8CT mid-high long-throw boxes. Deep bass reinforcement was provided by ground-stacked BSX subwoofers, from Delicate Productions of Camarillo.

The system for the similar right stage comprised of 32 Martin W8C loudspeakers, four W8CT cabinets, and four W8CM low-mid units. The thump on this side came from 32 Martin WSX subwoofers. The two systems were remarkably similar, although the addition of the W8CS cabinets added an
extra warmth.

The stage monitor systems were Martin as well: the left offered 16 LE700 wedges with F1 and F2 drum and side fills; the right was furnished with 22 LE12J wedges with W8, W8S and WS2A cabinets for drum and side fill. Stained loaded in a touring in-ear monitor system, all other bands used the equipment provided by Sunbelt.

Both stages were fitted with identical consoles, with Yamaha PM4000 boards at FOH and PM4000Ms for monitors. Delicate brought all Crest amplifiers and a BSS drive system, while Sunbelt’s system was fitted with Crown Macro-Techs and FOH drive system included Martin DX1
system Processors.

The 2001 show marked the tenth anniversary for That Damn Show and the third year for Sunbelt as the principal audio supplier. “We completed our main Wavefront system just before the 1999 show,” recalls Jim Jorgensen, audio manager at Sunbelt, “and at the time we may have had the largest Wavefront system in America. By that time, a number of other companies were using Martin systems, but I owe credit to Delicate’s use of Martin Audio on the Lollapalooza shows in establishing name recognition for the Martin brand name — which probably helped us get the gig.”

One concern was the volume level, and its effect on surrounding neighbourhoods. The city of Peoria has imposed a 76dB noise restriction at the property line, and in fact The Edge Radio station had been fined for noise complaints back in 1999.

“This year, with the Wavefront systems, we were able to exceed the bands’ expectations in the audience area, but not receive one complaint from surrounding areas,” reported Jim. “In fact, vehicular traffic on Bell Road was louder than the show on the measurement tapes.”