Niles, lll., March 2014 - Justin Timberlake has again selected Montreal's Solotech as the audio provider for his "20/20 Experience" world tour. To ensure the tour's success, the sound company has in turn designated Shure as its primary wireless supplier. The 2014 tour, which began in January, is currently in its second leg with dates across North America.
The tour employs ten channels of Shure Axient® wireless for backing vocals and the horn section, plus four dual-channel Shure UHF-R® bodypack systems on all guitars and bass. With the exception of Justin's vocal microphone, Shure gear was specified for the entire band, dancers, and much of the backline crew, who were covered by 26 channels of Shure PSM®1000 personal monitors, with 24 of them running through a single pair of antennas using a series of four Shure PA821A wideband antenna combiners.
The production design of the tour is a demanding one. The concept was a completely bare stage with a huge video projection screen behind; the performers make their entrances from beneath the stage by elevator platforms. It was mandated that nothing interfere with the audience line of sight, severely limiting the options for antenna placement. A secondary "B" stage located beyond the FOH mix position offered another wireless reception challenge.
To ensure that everyone hears what they need to hear during the show, 20 monitor mixes are required. That includes Timberlake, two guitars, bass, two keyboardists, percussion, four backing vocals, and the four-piece horn section. In addition, the six dancers share a mix, while the drummer uses a Shure P6HW hardwired system. PSM 1000 systems are also in the ears of the key backline techs: the monitor engineer; instrument techs for guitar, keyboard, percussion, and drums, and two more audio assistants.