This year the international Blue Balls Festival will again be presenting concerts around Lake Lucerne.
Since 2004 we have been responsible for all the technical infrastructure for the festival on behalf of Blue Balls Music GmbH. The means designing the stage sets by installing and operating the lighting, sound and video technology, as well as providing the lighting and sound equipment for the outside areas. To protect visitors’ hearing, we measure the sound levels and comply with regulations.
The Blue Balls Festival is a unique Swiss music and arts festival of outstanding quality. For 9 days it transforms Lake Lucerne into a centre of creativity and captivates 100,000 visitors. The festival presents national and international newcomers and stars as part of 120 events in the fields of music, photography, art, video, film and talks. We have worked with our client, the Blues Session Lucerne Committee which organises the Blue Balls Festival, for many years.
The technical setup is straightforward and uncomplicated because the focus is on the music and arts at the Blue Balls Festival. The stages provided by us have a uniform look, from the big concert stages in KKL to the club stage at the Schweizerhof festival hotel. One of the key tasks for our on-site staff is to ensure strict compliance with sound and laser protection regulations and the corresponding record-keeping.
We stay at the cutting edge and keep abreast of technological developments. This year we installed modern equipment to the complete satisfaction of our client, visitors to the festival and the artists. Our objective is to continually satisfy the needs of our stakeholders.
Logistics is one of the biggest challenges, because all the basic technical equipment for the Blue Balls Festival is provided by us and used across 8 stages. The preparatory work is crucial: the technical riders for over 70 bands must be assessed and integrated into the planning. Explanations are given of specific equipment on-site, special wishes or unusual stage installations. A key part of the planning process is communicating all information, including continual adjustments, to all members of the team clearly and continuously. It is also vital to keep an overview, because the Blue Balls Festival takes place across 8 stages around Lake Lucerne. As well as the professional planning, flexibility is required on-site, for example if performers arrive late and rearrangements have to be made swiftly to ensure the concert starts on time.
