Echo rebounds on fans and artists alike

Press, 1 December 1978, Page 2

Echo rebounds on fans and artists alike

By

NEVIN TOPP

The ‘'Q.E. II roar” of approval is acceptable at large athletics meetings at Queen Elizabeth II Park, but the “Q.E. II echo” at rock concerts has become infamous among fans, and also at council level. Echo was noticeable to audiences and performers at two recent rock concerts — the Peter Frampton show on Sunday, and David Bow'ie’s performance on Wednesday evening. The recreation manager of the Christchurch City Council (Mr A. Patterson) said that he believed the council would have to seek advice about the echo. He said that he spoke as an individual, because he did not feel qualified to talk about acoustics. "We will talk to councillors and council experts, and if necessary call in outside help,” he said. The problem is caused by the newly erected permanent ■ stage, which is slightly further back than the temporary staging erected for concerts by Neil Diamond and Rod Stewart. The new stage faces straight into the stadium, and the. sound is caught under the grandstand roof and “bounced” back at the performers. Larry Morris, who opened the show for David Bowie on Wednesday evening, des-

cribed the echo effect as "harrowing.” )- “As you played one note e the preceding one would n jeome back at you,” he said. e He also said that David i- Bowie had noticed the echo s during his sound check on x Wednesday afternoon. Morris said that one poso sible solution would be a 1I drop-sheet of two layers of - canvas sandwiching a threei inch thick layer of foam s rubber which could be lowy ered from the roof to absorb the sound. f Mr Patterson said that re- - actions to the new stage had i been mixed. I He had asked the promo--3 ters of David Bowie’s confcert about the echo, but they si had said “they did not find it II disturbing. ti “Set-ups like Queen ElizaIbeth II Park are no worse; -ithan some venues overseas, J . according to the promoters,”! -ihe said. i Mr Patterson said that the ' j echo effect might have been more noticeable in recent ■ concerts because patrons ■ had decided to sit on the ■ ground in the arena, and not in the grandstand. ! At the Neil Diamond and Rod Stewart concerts people - sitting in the grandstand ab--1 sorbed some sound. “We would examine any suggestion by promoters or artists, but the full council would have to approve alterations,”- Mr Patterson said.