CLIENT
Expo 2020 Dubai, Events and Entertainment
LOCATION
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
YEAR
2019–2022
PROJECT TYPE
Major International Expo – Ceremonies, Concerts, Immersive & Theatrical Performances
Scope
Audio and show control system design and management for Al Wasl Plaza and 11 other venues across the Expo 2020 site
Services Provided
- →Immersive audio system redesign
- →Audio and show control design
- →Audio editing and spatialisation
- →Venue-wide technical integration
- →Event-time audio operations
- →Consultant collaboration with Expo technical leadership
- →Support for international ceremonies, concerts, and bespoke productions
The Brief
Expo 2020 Dubai set out to create an extraordinary, future-facing cultural programme, an unprecedented 182-day showcase of human achievement that would celebrate creativity, diversity and innovation. At the heart of this vision was Al Wasl Plaza, an iconic trellis-domed venue designed as the centrepiece for the entire Expo site.
As specialists in the field of large-scale spatial audio, we were brought in by the Events and Entertainment team in 2019 to review and re-design the planned immersive audio system for Al Wasl Plaza and support the design and technical development of multiple performance venues across the site. What began as a system redesign quickly evolved into a multi-year engagement involving daily operations and global-calibre event support.
The Challenge
With more than 190 countries represented, thousands of performances scheduled, and tens of millions of guests expected, Expo 2020 Dubai was unlike any other project. The challenge was to design technically robust, fully integrated systems that could flexibly support a year of performances, and to deliver an immersive audio experience inside one of the most ambitious architectural structures ever built.
Al Wasl
Al Wasl Plaza itself was an acoustically complex space. Suspended within its dome was a massive 360° projection surface and a flexible performance ring, requiring bespoke audio and show control solutions that could keep up with a dense and varied show schedule.
Our Approach
We began with the redesign of the main immersive audio system, ultimately transforming it into a 27-channel L-Acoustics L-ISA spatial audio environment. This foundation enabled fully immersive sound design for everything from symphonic concerts to spoken word, theatre, and EDM.
We then worked alongside the Expo Events and Entertainment team to develop and manage the audio and show control infrastructure for Al Wasl Plaza, including backstage areas, control rooms, rehearsal spaces, and editing suites. Our work expanded to include 11 additional venues across the Expo site, from outdoor concert stages to intimate theatres.
Working in close collaboration with key technical partners including Wonder Works and WBD, we helped define and deliver the overarching technical framework for all entertainment audio systems on site.
Technical Highlights:
Audio Design
Immersive Performance Audio: 27-channel L-ISA immersive system featuring L-Acoustics A15 arrays, Syva front fills, and extensive KS21 subwoofer coverage
Stage Systems: Custom fibre-based stage panels and Optocore-enabled autorouting for fast overnight show deployments
Audio Control: Dual-engine DiGiCo Quantum 7 consoles with mirrored backup, L-ISA processors, and full integration with legacy immersive infrastructure
Audio Edit Suites: Two spatial audio suites, each equipped with ProTools HDX, L-ISA processors, and 27 L-Acoustics X8 loudspeakers to replicate the outdoor Immersive system for precise spatialisation
Show Control Design
Site-wide voice comms and timecode distribution across 900+ users using Riedel digital matrix and wireless systems
Replay & Sync: Redundant Ovation systems for multichannel playback, MIDI/OSC control and timecode synchronisation across departments
The Results
Over the course of Expo 2020 Dubai, we provided design, delivery and operational support for a wide array of landmark events and performances.
Opening and Closing Ceremonies
Produced by Five Currents, these signature events required full integration of house and touring systems. We supported sound designer Sebastian Hammond with systems engineering, editing, and operations, delivering a seamless spatial experience.
“Why? The Musical”
Working with Shekhar Kapur and A.R. Rahman, we designed and edited the show’s complex spatial audio mix in our custom suites before deploying it into the L-ISA environment at Al Wasl.
Sami Yusuf – Beyond the Stars
Scott Willsallen led sound design for this unique concert experience, collaborating closely with Sami and his creative team.
UAE Golden Jubilee
A major celebration led by David Atkins Enterprises, with our team designing and operating audio systems for a nationally televised spectacle.
Infinite Nights Concert Series
From Coldplay to the Black Eyed Peas, Alicia Keys to Nancy Ajram, we helped headline acts integrate seamlessly into the Al Wasl systems, ensuring world-class sound for every audience member.
Beyond Al Wasl
In addition to the central dome, we supported the Events and Entertainment team in developing performance venues across the Expo site:
- Jubilee Park – 20,000 pax outdoor concert venue with L-Acoustics K1/K2 arrays and Quantum 7 consoles
- Dubai Millennium Amphitheatre – 900 pax venue using and L-ISA Wide configuration and theatrical-grade controls
- The Forum & District Stages – Smaller outdoor venues with Syva and DiGiCo SD9 systems
- DEC Halls 2A, 3 & 4 – Rehearsal and plenary spaces with full production capabilities and show control systems
Acknowledgements
Our Client
A huge thanks to Tareq, Amna, Kylie, Kate, Bill and the whole Expo Events and Entertainment team for getting us involved in the project. Our thanks also to AIM, Five Currents, DAE and Brag for involving us in their contributions to Expo 2020 Dubai.
Our Team
This project was a massive undertaking for us and a huge thanks to Ethan Curry and Steve Logan who spent a year working on the project on a full-time basis. Our senior team included Scott Willsallen, Luis Miranda, Martin Dineley and Richard Sharratt.
Our Suppliers
Thanks to Agora, Neumann & Mueller and Riedel for their remarkable efforts on the project in supplying, installing, maintaining and operating their respective systems for such a large and complex event.
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