The final date of the Metropolis tour took place at Mockingbird Cinema in Birmingham’s Custard Factory, with Sonic Sound supplying sound hire and live audio engineering for the closing performance of the run.
As with the rest of the tour, a standard sound hire package was provided, including a digital sound desk, wireless microphones, instrument microphones, wireless in‑ear monitoring (IEM) systems, stage boxes, DI boxes, microphone stands, and full signal and mains cabling. This ensured a consistent and familiar setup for the band, despite the change in venue.
Ahead of the Birmingham show, Sonic Sound also attended a dedicated rehearsal at Pirate Studios Birmingham. This additional rehearsal time allowed final refinements to be made to monitor mixes, dynamics, and transitions, ensuring the last date of the tour was completely dialled in and stress‑free for the band.
Mockingbird Cinema itself presented a unique technical challenge in that there was no dedicated control room. All sound mixing had to be carried out remotely from an iPad, positioned within the auditorium. This proved to be no issue at all thanks to the Allen & Heath SQ range of mixers, whose rock‑solid wireless control and responsive iPad app allowed full front‑of‑house and monitor control throughout the performance.
The cinema environment required a compact, carefully managed approach to system design. Particular attention was paid to gain structure, wireless coordination, and IEM monitoring, ensuring a clean, controlled mix that complemented the film without overpowering the space. As with every show on the tour, fresh batteries were fitted to all wireless systems to guarantee uninterrupted performance.
As a complimentary extra, I also supplied simple ambient stage lighting, providing subtle visibility for the performers while maintaining the cinematic atmosphere of the screening.
And in the spirit of going the extra mile, Sonic Sound also transported two members of the band from Taunton to Birmingham in the van. As we were already making the journey with the equipment, this helped simplify travel logistics for the band on a busy tour schedule.
This final show brought the Metropolis tour to a close and demonstrated Sonic Sound’s ability to deliver flexible, reliable sound hire solutions, adapt to unconventional venues, and support touring artists well beyond the core technical brief.
