Riedel Communications has announced that the Royal Albert Hall has installed a new Bolero wireless intercom system as part of its expansion and upgrade of in-house audio equipment and services, as the company has claimed in a statement.

“After renting communications systems from a different manufacturer, we chose Bolero for our permanent in-house wireless intercom”, explained Ben Evans, Audio Operations Manager at the Royal Albert Hall. “It’s a user-friendly system that gives our clients clear, reliable audio, and it integrates seamlessly with the gear most of them use. The fact that there’s no complex license management was also a significant factor in our decision, and the system’s network-based flexibility was a key advantage over competitors’ point-to-point solutions”.

A 153-year-old London venue, the Royal Albert Hall is a space with various stage configurations and performance locations. It hosts diverse events, such as rock/pop concerts, orchestral performances, spoken word performances, sports, ballets, ballroom dancing, book launches, and poetry. Events rotate in and out quickly, so the venue looked for a scalable communication system that could accommodate the high turnover.

In 2018, the venue formed an in-house audio team to try to improve the audience experience. The venue partnered with manufacturer d&b audiotechnik for a permanent PA system, with additional investments in sound desks, microphones, and monitors. Then came the communications system.

“We have a reputation as a trusted technical partner in the events industry”, Evans continued. “Working with Riedel — and having the Bolero comms system onboard — bolsters that reputation and helps us to generate revenue”.

Bolero is designed to try to offer efficient configuration for a range of different events. Interoperability with other equipment means that it is ready to go if issues arise. For example, when a visiting production’s own wireless communications system failed midshow, the crew maintained continuity by switching to the Bolero system employed by the Royal Albert Hall.

The Bolero sees daily use as a production communications and talkback system. A “shout system” allows front-of-house and monitor engineers to communicate. Separate communication rings simplify interaction for lighting/show callers, audio teams, and production. The venue can increase the size of the system for complex productions by adding extra rings.

Likewise, when a large-scale event requires more than the 10 wireless packs already in permanent inventory, the venue can scale up by renting additional packs or antennas. For example, the 2024 Olivier Awards needed 30 packs, plus additional Riedel Artist mainframes and panels. In that scenario, the in-house system interfaced with a large Artist setup serving 30-plus users across various site locations.

“The Royal Albert Hall’s technical services are a key part of its brand, and we’re grateful to play a role in the venue’s technical excellence and reliability”, added Nacho Lee, Programme Manager Global Events at Riedel Communications. “The traveling productions that visit the hall can trust Bolero to work with whatever equipment they bring in, and its reliability allows teams to focus on events without worrying about communication failures”.