Front of House Magazine: Billy Strings “Meet Me at the Drive-In” Tour by George Petersen
November 4, 2020
Photo by Jesse Faatz
Front of House Magazine's George Petersen recently published a Production Profile featuring Billy Strings and the world of drive-in theatres bringing music to fans — at a distance. The article, "Billy Strings 'Meet Me at the Drive-In' Tour" explores the drive-in theatre phenomenon as it continues to provide an interim solution in the live sound market.
Below is an excerpt from Petersen's October Production Profile.
"Unknown a year ago, the drive-in concert phenomenon continues to provide an interim solution in the live sound market, bringing Billy Strings to his fans, with the bluegrass sensation’s first shows with a live audience since everything shut down due to the Covid-19 pandemic in March. After making its television debut on Jimmy Kimmel Live! in July, the band has been gaining national attention. For the three consecutive nights that opened String’s “Meet Me at the Drive-In” tour (Sept. 11-13, 2020), the parking lot of the Mohegan Sun Arena in Wilkes-Barre, PA was transformed into an open-air venue with a capacity for 530 cars, creating a vast audience area."
"As is common these days with most outdoor/drive-in shows, social distancing rules were in effect. Cars were spaced nine feet apart, with each vehicle allotted a tailgating/lawn chair space on the driver’s side of the car. Masks were required for entry and would be worn whenever patrons left their area to visit concessions or restrooms. Five video screens added visual impact, along with delay stacks on either side of the screen behind FOH. In addition to a 32-box Meyer Sound Labs Leopard FOH P.A. system, a low-power FM radio feed (from the FOH console and time-aligned to the main P.A.) was available for anyone preferring in-car listening."