Music
Overview
Cream Classical returned to the awe-inspiring setting of Liverpool Cathedral for two sold-out nights celebrating iconic dance music reimagined by a 50-piece orchestra, live vocalists, and guest DJs.
Partners & Collaborators
CREAM / K-Klass / Kaleidoscope Orchestra / Tim Crooks
Client
CREAM Classical
Sector
Music
Services
Audio / Lighting
Location
Liverpool, UK
Year
2023
Cream Classical returned to the awe-inspiring setting of Liverpool Cathedral for two sold-out nights celebrating iconic dance music reimagined by a 50-piece orchestra, live vocalists, and guest DJs. The event, produced in collaboration with Cream and orchestrated by K-Klass, is known not just for its genre-blending arrangements, but also for the visual and sonic transformation of one of the UK’s most atmospheric venues.
Staging a large-scale show inside a cathedral presents unique challenges. The production required an audio system capable of handling the dynamics of live orchestration and electronic elements in a highly reverberant acoustic environment — all while maintaining vocal clarity and low-end control. On the lighting side, the brief was to create a fully immersive, floor-based visual experience that complemented the grandeur of the cathedral’s architecture without relying on flown fixtures or rigging infrastructure.
Adlib worked closely with the Cream production team to design and deliver a comprehensive audio and lighting solution tailored specifically for the cathedral space. With no rigging points available, the entire production had to be floor-based — requiring creative use of angles, fixtures, and speaker placement to maximise impact while preserving the integrity of the venue.
The audio design featured a ground-stacked CODA Audio AiRAY system as the main PA, delivering exceptional clarity and coverage from a compact footprint — ideal for a space with complex acoustics. To support coverage further up the nave, CODA Audio ViRAY elements were deployed as delay systems, and CODA Audio G712 speakers were used on stands to ensure even audio distribution throughout the long, narrow space.
On stage, the monitoring setup was tailored to the diverse needs of a live orchestra, choir, and electronic musicians. The band was supported by 8 x d&b M4 wedges, while 8 x Sennheiser 2000 series IEM systems were provided for band members. For the choir, 8 handheld Sennheiser 2000 series radio mics ensured strong vocal pickup, complemented by 16 additional IEM packs for those performing on the cathedral’s bridge.
For orchestral monitoring, Adlib supplied a bespoke headphone system complete with 36 x Sennheiser HD25 headphones, allowing performers to hear click and cue tracks without audio spill into the room.
At control, two DiGiCo Quantum consoles — an SD7Q and SD5Q — handled FOH and monitor mixes, offering the flexibility and processing power needed for such a complex mix of inputs across orchestral, choral, electronic, and DJ elements.
With all lighting deployed from the floor, Adlib created a design that brought drama, colour, and rhythm to the architecture without overwhelming the venue's natural beauty.
The core of the rig featured 52 Astera AX9s, used to uplight the columns and walls of the cathedral in vibrant colour, creating a constantly evolving canvas that responded to the music. 20 Robe MegaPointes and 14 Martin MAC Ultra Washes provided beam and wash effects throughout the nave, with the 14 Aura XBs delivering rich colour and texture around the performance area.
To amplify musical climaxes and accent key moments, 12 SGM Q8 strobes were strategically placed to add bursts of intensity without dominating the space. The entire show was run from a ChamSys MQ500 console, giving the lighting team precise control over timing and transitions across two nights of performances.
Cream Classical at Liverpool Cathedral remains one of the most visually and sonically distinctive shows in the UK music calendar. Adlib was proud to be part of the team delivering a technically complex, artistically sensitive production in one of the country’s most iconic cultural spaces — helping turn an architectural marvel into a dancefloor like no other.
Credits
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