Revive At Studio 5 Transforms London Venue For Screening Of The Rolling Stones ‘Havana Moon’ Concert

The Troxy in East London is going to host an immersive cinematic screening of the iconic Rolling Stones “Havana Moon” concert, Sept. 7, courtesy of Revive at Studio 5, who are going to make guests feel like they’re in Havana, Cuba.

– The Rolling Stones
History was made on March 25, 2016, in Havana, Cuba

The free concert at the Ciudad De Deportiva De La Havana on March 25, 2016, was the first time a mainstream rock act from the U.S. was allowed on stage in Cuba, since the country got its communist government in 1959. “Havana Moon” was the name given to the concert film produced by Eagle Rock Entertainment, and released in Sept. 2016.

To recreate some of the atmosphere of that iconic day, London-based immersive specialists Revive at Studio 5, in association with The Rolling Stones and Eagle Rock, will transform London’s Troxy venue into the streets of Havana – including large-scale set design, immersive method actors, dancers, Cuban-themed food, cocktails and more.

The light show and sound are going to be nothing short of a real live gig experience. And while Troxy does have a screen, which is suitable for live music acts, Revive at Studio 5 are bringing a 35-foot wide screen, with dual projectors to maximise the 4K films potential.

Pollstar reached out to Revive at Studio 5 directors Tom Clark and Andy Cuthbert to find out a bit more about the production.

– Tom Clark & Andy Cuthbert
Directors at Revive at Studio 5

Clark said, “the lighting will be programmed, as with all live concerts, to match the music being played, which will enable the audience to feel fully immersed in this experience. We will also be bringing state of the art lighting systems and equipment into Troxy to ensure the audience are wowed by the production.”

Cuthbert added that “audio quality at this event is paramount. We decided that a point source system would be the best solution as this would allow us to keep the sound focused into the audience areas and avoid unnecessary reflections from the boundary walls. A greater stereo image would also be achieved due to the narrower dispersion of the point source cabinets, giving listeners a more exciting and immersive experience.”

 

Aesthetics played a big part in Revive’s considerations. According to Clark, “it was necessary to create a big concert vibe, as this is not an ordinary cinema experience where listeners take their seats and settle in for the duration. Attendees will be invited to immerse themselves fully by singing along and dancing as if the band themselves were there in person.

“For those who may have been at the original concert it’s about re-living the experience with all the bangs and whistles, and for those who weren’t lucky enough to be there, it’s about getting them as close to the real thing as possible.

“A lot of budget has been spent on making sure the venue looks right, and so the PA had to follow suit. That’s why we chose Formidable Audio’s classic restored Flashlight System. You never get a second chance at a first impression, and when the audience walk in to the main arena, one of the first things they’ll see are the two big clusters of Flashlight hanging either side of the screen. Coupled with the low distortion and excellent audio reproductive qualities of the system, it will be an experience to be remembered.”

One of the notable differences to the original Cuba show, apart from the temperatures, will be the attendance. The show at the Ciudad De Deportiva De La Havana was attended by 700,000 and another 500,000 fans outside the venue, The Rolling Stones tweeted at the time.

Troxy will offer space for 2227 standing and 823 seating. While it’s not the first concert the company is reviving for the big screen, “it’s a first for reliving concerts with full set design, props, actors, dancers, food etc.,” according to Cuthbert.

And while he couldn’t reveal the next concert film, he said, “there are definitely some exciting plans afoot. These will be announced at the end of 2018.”

– The Rolling Stones
The band tweeted that 700,000 people attended the show, plus another 500,000 outside the venue