Refurbished Arena returns Wembley to the top of the Music Venue Tree |
Music stars including Madonna have been flocking back to play Wembley Arena since its £35 million renovation was completed. McFly, Westlife, Anastacia and Depeche Mode have all wowed audiences at the world-famous venue since its recent re-opening.
The Arena now has a dramatic new entrance and much-improved internal facilities, but arguably the most important change to the building is its revitalised acoustics. Hodgson & Hodgson Group was chosen to install new acoustic wall and ceiling panels, which have reduced noise reverberation around the building and transformed the quality of sound within the venue, something which had been much criticised in the past.
The 72-year-old Wembley Arena is a listed building and all aspects of the renovation work had to be carefully considered. The acoustic treatment to the internal walls and ceiling had to be carried out with due respect for the age of the building, whilst at the same time providing a high quality, modern solution to the building’s acoustic challenges. Hodgson & Hodgson installed panels from its TufSound range, a decorative treatment designed to give a softer acoustic environment with a contemporary feel. TufSound panels absorb airborne noise and reduce reverberation; they are also impact-resistant to a high level, making them an ideal choice for the bustling Arena.
Wembley’s sound engineers are delighted with the acoustic improvements, commenting that they can now hear exactly what the audience hears and can make adjustments where necessary to improve the quality of the music. Peter Tudor, General Manager of Wembley Arena, is equally pleased with the venue’s refreshing new acoustics: “The acoustic performance of the Arena is central to our status as London’s number one music venue. Hodgson & Hodgson have transformed the quality of sound in the building and helped to create the superb experience we were looking for, both for performers and audiences.”
“We knew it was vital to get the acoustics right here,” agrees Glynne Balshaw-Jones, managing director of Hodgson & Hodgson. “Wembley Arena is one of the most famous music venues in the world and everything had to be spot-on. TufSound has been really well tested and proven to absorb noise and reduce reverberation like no other material. And the great feedback from audiences since the venue has reopened confirms the success of the installation.”
