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CASE STUDY
Bag of Soul - Saltdean Lido
Putting a Fresh Spin on Sound for a long-running vinyl-only event
NAME:
EVENT:
GILLMAN AUDIO SERVICES:
Greg Austin, DJ & Event Promoter
Bag of Soul
Sound system and support
Event recording
"Phil is a true professional and he really understands sound. He has not only given us a superior sound for Bag of Soul events, he’s taken a lot of pressure off me as a promoter.”
Greg Austin, DJ & Event Promoter
Overview
Scores of records, a host of respected DJs and hundreds of music aficionados from around the UK: a lot goes into the much-loved, authentic Soul, Jazz, House and Disco music event, Bag of Soul.
Quality of sound is everything at this annual 13-hour vinyl-only party that draws crowds of dedicated music lovers. But that’s one thing that event founder and promoter Greg Austin doesn’t have to worry about, thanks to his partnership with Gillman Audio.
“I’ve been putting on events in the South of England for over 25 years,” Greg explains. “
Five years ago, I started a brand called Bag of Soul. I brought Gillman Audio on board about three years ago when we started doing summer parties at Whitecliffs in Saltdean, just outside Brighton.”
The Challenge
Putting on a long-running music gathering can present a number of logistical challenges, but sound is one of the most critical.
Being a vinyl-only event adds an extra level of complexity, requiring careful setup and precision to ensure consistent playback quality.
The venue itself, located on the beach with both indoor and outdoor spaces, introduces further acoustic challenges that need to be managed throughout the day.
The Approach
Gillman Audio works closely with the promoter to ensure every aspect of the sound system is carefully considered in advance.
“You know you’re getting a professional with Phil,” Greg says. “Ahead of each event, I set up a Facebook and WhatsApp group for the DJs so I can pass on any sound-related questions or issues straight to Phil.”
Attention to detail is central to the approach. While many sound engineers arrive just hours before an event, Phil is on site the night before, ensuring everything is prepared and ready well in advance.
“For the event itself, most sound people start a couple of hours before, but Phil is there the night before, making sure he’ll be there early in the morning to set the sound system up, so by the time we’re there to play records, everything is ready.”
On the Day
That preparation continues throughout the event itself.
“On the day, Phil is always on hand. The moment the music starts, Phil is there, listening and fine-tuning it when it’s needed.”
As well as supplying a 900 mixer and Technics turntables, Gillman Audio brings additional specialist equipment such as turntable isolation platforms and slipmats. Small details that make a significant difference to the overall sound quality.
“A lot of sound people would forget about slipmats and isolation, but Phil is on it. It’s all part of the package - anything to make the sound better.”
The Result
The result is a consistently high-quality sound experience that is recognised by both DJs and attendees.
“Every single DJ at the event has commented on the high quality of the sound provided by Gillman Audio. Punters are always saying what a great sound system it is too.”
“The sound has been amazing at every event I’ve been to that Phil has worked on. I think it’s because Phil not only really understands sound, he understands the sound dynamics of a space and sets his system up in a way that will achieve the best result.”
Beyond the Event
Gillman Audio’s involvement doesn’t stop when the music ends.
“Another big plus of working with Gillman Audio is that Phil records the whole event for us, again to an incredibly high standard. That gives us a brilliant resource for podcasts and promoting our next event.”
By capturing the event in full and monitoring sound levels throughout, the recordings become a valuable asset for future promotion and audience engagement.
The Impact
Sound is everything to a great music event, but for Greg, working with Gillman Audio means he can focus on everything else that makes Bag of Soul a success.
“I’ve never met anyone with a bad word to say about how Phil conducts himself. Phil is a true professional. He really understands sound and his sound system is top of the range. He’s worth every penny.”
“He has not only created a superior sound for Bag of Soul events, he’s taken a lot of pressure off me as a promoter.”
