For the Rolling Stones Forty Licks World Tour, Clear Channel Entertainment, a producer and marketer for live events, is using the 3ComAccess Point 8000 and 3Com 11Mbps Wireless LAN Building-to-Building Bridge along with a Hughes satellite uplink and downlink antenna system. This Wi-Fi wireless system is completely mobile and can be set up at each concert venue within an hour of arrival.
With a selection of 3Com antennas, Clear Channel can tailor the wireless system, based on each unique concert site around the world, to enable complete coverage despite concrete, steel or other traditional barriers. In total, about 140 laptops, each equipped with a Wi-Fi certified PC card, are used by the production office, tour promotion office, band members and crew to connect.
One benefit of the wireless system is that the worldwide Stones fan community is able to stay current with the tour via the www.rollingstones.com Web site. Fans who have full membership on the site (either by having bought a concert ticket, or by paying a membership fee), have a "virtual ticket" to follow the tour around the world.
While on the road, tour management and the band are always connected to the home office and looking ahead to the next concert venues. This allows for rapid re-working of extra performance bookings, changes to seating plans, last-minute promotions, business negotiations with venue operators and ticket pricing decisions. Plus, the band and crew are able to keep in touch with friends and family while they are on the road.
The majority of the data includes e-mail and word processing document exchanges, as well as transfers of larger files such as CAD drawings of the stage set or the concert seating. Looking ahead the band is interested in doing regular live Webcasts of the tour and has, in fact, successfully tested the system several times.
For tour dates and photos: http://www.pollstar.com/tour/searchall.pl?By=Artist&Content=ROLSTO&PSKey=Y
Share
Editorial contacts