In 2015 — in an extraordinary display of unity — 1,000 musicians and hundreds of volunteers including producers, videographers, sound engineers and more, converged in Cesena, Italy to perform Foo Fighters’ “Learn to Fly” live in order to release a video. This extraordinary video was a viral musical plea to Dave Grohl, asking him to play in their city,* and marked the inception of Rockin’1000, now acclaimed as the world’s largest rock band, per a statement.
Since its debut, Rockin’1000 has evolved into a global phenomenon, the statement notes. It has orchestrated annual events across Europe and Brazil. With a global family of over 40,000 members, these shows are a testament to the power of music, says L-Acoustics. It brings together musicians from diverse backgrounds to create visually and acoustically stunning performances in iconic locations like Paris, Frankfurt, Madrid and São Paulo. Their collective effort celebrates the joy of music and showcases the unparalleled spectacle of 1,000 musicians performing in unison, captivating audiences worldwide.
Rockin’1000 selected L-Acoustics for its global reach and the versatility of K Series, both crucial for their traveling shows. According to L-Acoustics, the debut use of this system occurred at the Stade de France in 2019, installed by the France-based L-Acoustics Certified Provider Dushow.
L-Acoustics speakers were stacked around the outer edge of the pitch in 10 sets of four or six K2 over two K1-SB subs, with 10 additional stacks of four KS28 subwoofers. Photo courtesy: OLEX Communications/L-Acoustics.
Luca Stefani, sound engineer at Rockin’1000, comments, “There are many reasons why we request L-Acoustics systems for our events such as its global availability (since we need more than 100 of the same model for these productions), the perfect balance between sound quality and high SPL, the precision of the acoustic prediction software, its good stack capability and scalability, the ease of setup, deployment and management.”
In summer of 2023, Rockin’1000 not only performed in Rome and Madrid but also emotionally returned to the origin of their journey, the Dino Manuzzi Stadium in Cesena, for a special fundraising concert aiding the flood-stricken areas of Romagna. With a thousand musicians participating, the event’s complexity necessitated a sound system that could manage the immense volume and intricate soundscapes, says L-Acoustics. They aimed for a solution offering flexible sound perception and optimal acoustics for performers and attendees alike.
At Rockin’1000 L-Acoustics K Series creates a soundscape where the audience hears and feels the music. It was a true symphony of clarity, power and intricate detail. Photo courtesy: OLEX Communications/L-Acoustics.
According to a statement, the brief was straightforward yet ambitious: to create a massive sound that not only resonates in terms of volume but also reaches every member of the crowd and “to experience the enormity of the Rockin’1000 band performing live in front of you,” comments Stefani.
To cover the entire 360-degree arena audience seating area in Cesena, Stefani designed a system composed of a distributed L/R configuration using 108 K2 loudspeakers, reinforced by 40 K1-SB and 40 KS28 subwoofers. These were ground-stacked all around the outer edge of the pitch in 10 left/right sets consisting of four or six K2 over two K1-SB subs, with 10 additional stacks of four KS28 subwoofers for low end reinforcement, capable of delivering ample headroom and consistent crystal-clear sound, even amidst dense harmonic content.
Fabio Zaffagnini, Rockin’1000 CEO asserts, “Our partnership with L-Acoustics has transformed the Rockin’1000 experience, elevating it to unparalleled heights. Thanks to the K Series, our concerts are now immersive soundscapes where you don’t just hear the music — you feel it. This isn’t just sound; it’s a symphony of clarity, power, and detail, making every performance unforgettable.”
Zaffagnini adds, “Our fans can’t get enough of the crisp, expansive sound that cuts through even the most complex arrangements. It’s a game-changer, proof of our dedication to crafting memorable musical moments. Once you’ve experienced a Rockin’1000 concert powered by the K Series, there’s no going back.”
*Dave Grohl said “Si” and the Foo Fighters kicked off their European tour in Cesena on Nov. 15, 2015.
