CLIENT
Astiana
LOCATION
Bab al Makina, Fes, Morocco
YEAR
2026
PROJECT TYPE
Concert
Scope
Audio design, system optimisation, show control and live mixing support for a headline performance at the FÈS Festival of World Sacred Music
Services Provided
- →Audio project management
- →Front of House mixing
- →Monitor mixing
- →Audio system optimisation
- →Recording and show control systems
- →Microphone specification and deployment
The Brief
Auditoria were commissioned by Astiana to deliver the audio systems for Sami Yusuf and the Fons Sophiae Collective at the FÈS Festival of World Sacred Music, working alongside his production team, Woodroffe Bassett Design and the festival’s technical directors.
Held within the historic surroundings of Bab al Makina in Fes, the annual festival brings together artists from around the world to celebrate sacred and traditional music. These performances marked composer and maestro Sami Yusuf’s fourth appearance at the festival, reflecting a long-standing relationship with an event that has become closely associated with his work.
The objective was to translate the detail, nuance and emotion of the performance to a large audience while preserving the character of the traditional instruments and vocal performances that are central to Sami Yusuf’s work.
The Challenge
The technical infrastructure for the festival was largely fixed. The loudspeaker system and venue layout were already established, leaving limited opportunity to alter the physical deployment.
All technical equipment also needed to be sourced from suppliers within the region, requiring us to build much of the control package around locally available inventory rather than relying on a standard touring specification.
The performance featured a diverse range of traditional instruments, many of which were developed long before the existence of amplified music, alongside guest performances from Moroccan soprano Nabyla Maan and traditional vocalist Sidi Ismael Bouja.
Capturing these instruments and vocal styles accurately while achieving sufficient gain before feedback required careful microphone selection and mixing decisions throughout the production.
Our Approach
We developed a flexible audio strategy that combined locally supplied systems with a small package of specialist equipment and microphones brought in specifically for the production.
A pair of Yamaha CL5 consoles with Yamaha RIO stage racks formed the core mixing platform for Front of House and monitors. Critical elements of the production, including recording, show control and selected microphones, travelled with our team to ensure consistency in how Sami Yusuf’s work is captured and presented.
Through multiple collaborations with Sami Yusuf and the Fons Sophiae Collective, the team has continued to refine microphone techniques and workflows that allow traditional instruments to retain their natural character while working effectively within a large-scale reinforced environment.
The approach focused on preserving the intimacy and detail of the onstage performance while providing the energy and reach required for an audience of more than 5,000 people each evening.
Technical Highlights:
Audio Design
Adamson E15 loudspeaker system
Yamaha CL5 mixing consoles
Yamaha RIO 3224 stage racks
Recording and show control systems supplied by the production team
Bricasti M7 reverb processors
Bespoke microphone and contact microphone package for traditional instruments and vocals
The Results
The performances brought together traditional and contemporary musical influences from across the world within one of the most respected festivals of its kind.
For the audience, the experience retained the detail and intimacy that define Sami Yusuf’s work while delivering the scale expected from a major festival production. The careful treatment of traditional instruments and vocals allowed their distinctive qualities to remain present throughout the performance, helping to maintain a strong connection between the artists and audience.
The concerts attracted significant local media attention and featured sold-out performances, further reinforcing the festival’s reputation as one of the region’s leading celebrations of sacred music.
Acknowledgements
Our Client
ASTIANA
Our Team
Ethan Curry – Audio Project Manager
Richard Sharratt – Front of House Mix Engineer
Martin Dineley – Monitor Mix Engineer
Key Collaborators
La Fondation Esprit de Fès/ Fes Festival of World Scared Music
Festival Technical Director Erik Loots
Festival Audio Director Chris Ekers
Lighting Design for Sami Yusuf – Fes Festival in Collaboration with Woodroffe Bassett Design
Clair Global – Inventory Supply Partner & On-stage audio technicians
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