Mercury and Brit award nominee, Laura Mvula is no stranger to the Royal Albert Hall. Having given a show stopping performance at the hugely successful Urban Prom in 2013, the soul singer was invited back to perform her very own Late Night Prom on Tuesday the 19th of August, featuring both special guests and surprise tracks along the way.
Having recently re-recorded her hit debut album Sing to the Moon with the Metropole Orkest and under artistic direction of the evening’s conductor Jules Buckley, the audience and BBC radio one listeners were treated to the world premiere of this classical re-imagining of Laura Mvula’s poignant yet powerful music.
Sound By Design have had the pleasure of working with Laura Mvula and conductor Jules Buckley on a number of performances. As per the Urban Prom in 2013, Sound By Design supplied the full audio package and engineering team, beginning with rehearsals at the Henry Wood Hall. The sound specification for this concert was designed by senior engineer and project manager for the entire Proms season, Stephen Hughes.
Laura Mvula performs Sing to the Moon
Operating in the same arrangement as the year prior, Stephen mixed on-stage monitors for the orchestra, conductor, Laura and special guest singer Esperanza Spalding using a Digico SD7 console. Based at the main control site at the back of the arena, engineer Phil Wright mixed front-of-house sound using the SD5 console whilst engineer Graham Colley positioned under the stage took control of a second sub-mix for the string section using an SD8. Running the stage elements were engineers Matt Gush and Matt Hill who were instrumental in the smooth running of the concert which involved a number of swift changeovers and re-positioning.
The PA system featured the in-house HALO-C line array in a stereo configuration. For added low end audio, two Meyer Sound 700-HP subwoofers were used under the front of the stage. The monitor package included EM Acoustics M-12 floor monitors for the orchestra, whilst L-Acoustics 115XT HiQ speakers were used for the soloists and singers. In terms of in-ear-monitoring, Laura wore Shure PSM1000s.
As evident in the overwhelmingly positive reviews, Jules Buckley’s orchestral re-mixes were as though they had been written for the Hall’s unique auditorium. With delicate and sombre string sections particularly during Sing to the Moon and Father Father, to the driving force of the rhythm section in That’s Alright, there was no moment where the audience wasn’t entirely captivated.
One of the biggest draws of the evening came from Mvula’s performance of the deeply melancholy ‘Father Father’. Taking to the grand piano at the side of the stage, Mvula is a master of her art and clearly at ease in front of an orchestra. The complex range of dynamics and genuine emotion put into the piece meant there were more than a few teary eyes in the 5,000 strong audience.
After the pulsating rhythms of That’s Alright, the Late Night Prom appeared to draw to a close. As the rapturous applause continued however, Mvula returned to the stage introducing her brother and exceptional cellist James to the audience to perform a delicate and stripped back version of Michael Jackson’s Human Nature. The pair were then joined by the full force of the orchestra who’s captivating rendition was a fitting end to a marvellous prom.