Following its official commissioning in May, the National Stadium at The Kallang now features a permanent, stadium-wide premium sound system.
In an announcement on Monday (24 Aug), The Kallang Group said the new system was supplied by d&b audiotechnik, a German professional audio equipment manufacturer.
The upgrade is intended to cut down on the cost and hassle of bringing in external audio equipment for touring shows.
Image courtesy of The Kallang Group
You might have already heard the new system at work, as it formed part of the audio set-up used during this year’s National Day Parade (NDP).
For the celebrations, the stadium’s upgraded system was paired with additional audio equipment for performers, with the overall set-up integrated by the NDP organising committee.
Image courtesy of The Kallang Group
Together, the audio set-up supported the parade’s largest-ever indoor special effects presentation.
Audio, music, and pyrotechnics were synchronised to create a more immersive large-scale show.
According to The Kallang Group, the new system can reduce manpower and logistics needs, while also freeing up production time for certain events.
Touring crews can also integrate their own equipment with the stadium’s permanent set-up, reducing the need to bring in a full external sound system.
This gives organisers the option of relying more on the venue’s in-house equipment, potentially cutting rental and transportation costs.
Image courtesy of The Kallang Group
Yazed Osman, Group Head, Events & Placemaking and Place Management at The Kallang Group, said the upgrade would help Singapore stay competitive in the region’s live entertainment landscape.
He added: “With this audio system upgrade at the National Stadium, we help reduce the logistical friction for international promoters, while elevating the acoustic experience for fans.”
Several live music industry veterans have tested the system and endorsed its performance.
Among them is world-renowned live sound engineer Joe O’Herlihy, best known as the Audio Director and Front of House Engineer for U2 since 1978.
He said the system could change how artists and promoters view the National Stadium as a venue.
“It’s a plug-and-play solution, with the advantage of being able to tap into a dedicated, sophisticated, and top-of-the-range manufacturer sound system,” Mr O’Herlihy said.
Ville Kauhanen, a lead audio system engineer who has worked with Taylor Swift, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Bon Jovi, and Britney Spears, said the upgrade can save touring teams both money and time.
Source: @taylorswift on Instagram
He added that crews can integrate their touring systems with the venue’s in-house set-up.
Coldplay production specialist Tony Smith, who has worked on the band’s live shows for more than two decades, highlighted the importance of a well-designed sound system.
Source: @coldplay on Instagram
He said: “When a sound system is designed correctly and is ready-to-use, it saves unnecessary setup time and costs.”
It brings benefits to everyone involved in the experience — from the crew and the artists to, most importantly, the fans in the stands.
Together, the upgraded sound system adds to the National Stadium’s capabilities as a major venue for live events.
The 55,000-capacity stadium sits beneath the world’s largest free-spanning dome, with unobstructed sightlines, a “Bowl Cooling” system that delivers cooled air to spectators, and the flexibility to switch between concerts, sporting events, and other large-scale formats.
The National Stadium is also no stranger to large-scale events.
It previously hosted six sold-out shows on Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour in March 2024, with the final night reportedly drawing a venue-record crowd of 63,000.
The stadium has also hosted concerts by Coldplay, Ed Sheeran, and Bruno Mars, with more major acts on the way, including The Weeknd, BIGBANG, and BTS.
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Featured image courtesy of The Kallang.