Global superstar Bad Bunny recently completed an ambitious concert residency, the longest and most successful in Puerto Rico’s history, in support of his sixth studio album Debí Tirar Más Fotos. “No Me Quiero Ir De Aquí” took place at José Miguel Agrelot Coliseum, bringing in more than $250 million to the local economy from 600,000+ total spectators (per the New York Times). Each of the thirty dates over seven weekends—plus a specially announced thirty-first show on September 20, live-streamed on Amazon Prime Video and Twitch—utilized the selected Cohesion PA for the historic residency.
The man known simply as “Benito” or “The King of Latin Trap” to his millions of fans put on dazzling shows complete with two stages inside the 18,500-seat “Choliseum,” filling each night with infectious reggaeton, house, and trap music alongside traditional Puerto Rican folk genres. The Bayamón native wanted his residency to feel like a love letter to the island and its people, and his undeniable energy, the intricate production, and robust audio system helped provide each sold-out audience a truly memorable evening.
The PA featured 128 total Cohesion CO12 flown more than eighty feet in the air: six main hangs of twelve; four side hangs of twelve (two hangs per side); and two 270° hangs of four. Three hangs of six Cohesion CP218 subwoofers, one behind each of the center main hangs and another centered toward the stage front, were complemented by twelve ground-stacked CP218, all of which were in cardioid configuration. Two Cohesion CF24 and six Cohesion CP6+ for fill purposes rounded out the audio system.
Part of the challenge of deploying such a robust system was to provide full-arena coverage and ample output without sacrificing sight lines; Bad Bunny had constructed a main stage that simulated a large island mountain and a B stage replicating a classic jibaro homestead from which his set unfolded.
As System Engineer Ricardo Barragan described, “The priorities in the design phase were to ensure that the speaker clusters did not obstruct the views, which also featured a huge LED screen suspended over much of the ceiling of the venue.”
The audio designers were Roly Garbalosa, Production Manager, and Clair Global Event Support Engineer Randy Lane. The FOH Engineer was Jose Angel Rivera, Jr.
“Once the system was deployed and adjusted, the question was how it would work with the artist performing half the show below the PA since the speakers were in the ceiling, pointing directly at [Bad Bunny] and the audience,” explained Barragan. “In the final implementation, Garbalosa and I made minor adjustments to some clusters for crucial on-site optimization. We created uniformity in the SPL and tonality for the audience.”
“Cohesion never fails to impress me, and thanks to the agility of the system, sightlines were not impacted,” said Fernando “Wichie” Martinez, founder of Wichie Sound, now Clair Global Puerto Rico, which oversaw the audio system’s deployment at the residency. “In my opinion, no other system could have been installed like this, much less sound like this with that SPL, dispersion, and coverage along each seat.”
“Everything worked perfectly,” said Barragan. “Once again, Cohesion was clear, coherent, and powerful.”
The monumental residency had a slew of VIPs and celebrity guests, including Ricky Martin, Lebron James, Benicio del Toro, and DJ Khaled, who raved that the Cohesion PA “might be the best I’ve heard in my life” and that it “was so clear…the bass, the experience was unbelievable.”
“The guarantee of excellence we provide is not just about this great and unique Cohesion sound system; it’s with everyone ensuring the equipment is in optimal condition to shine and that every detail meets the needs of the show,” summarized Barragan. “Being a part of these unique, artistic projects that remain in the audience’s memory gives me special pride.”
Bad Bunny returns to the road in a few weeks, launching his “Debí Tirar Más Fotos World Tour” in the Dominican Republic, before stops in Central America, South America, Australia, Japan, and Europe. In the midst of this globe-trotting tour, which will once more be supported by Cohesion in all countries where it is available, the heralded artist also will perform at the highly anticipated Super Bowl LX Halftime Show in Santa Clara, California.
About Cohesion
Cohesion is a sound reinforcement enterprise that designs and manufactures premier audio technology products as part of a broadening ecosystem. Fully supported by the expertise of a dedicated team at its headquarters in Lititz, Pennsylvania, Cohesion’s product line includes the world-renowned CO Series line arrays, the high-performing and versatile CF Series point source loudspeakers, an acclaimed line of powerful subwoofers, and crystal-clear monitors, with more products that expand the full catalog in development.
Cohesion was originally launched as a private brand available solely through Clair Global’s rental division, but based on its overwhelming success and subsequent market demand, Cohesion is now also available to exclusive installations worldwide and continues to be trusted by some of the world’s most successful touring artists.
For more information, visit Cohesion online at cohesionaudio.com. Join Cohesion’s social channels @cohesionaudioofficial on Instagram and LinkedIn and @officialcohesionaudio on Facebook.
Photo Credit: Front House PR
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