Christmas
Sound for zambombas, parades and Christmas light switch-ons
December packs more events into three weeks than any other month of the year, and almost all of them are outdoors, at night and in the cold. Booking early is not a sales pitch: it is the only way.
- Events
- Zambombas, parades, light switch-ons and Christmas markets
- Setting
- Outdoors, night-time, cold and damp
- Season
- December and early January
- Booking
- As soon as possible: these are the first dates to fill up
The four December set-ups
Zambomba, light switch-on, parade and market
Christmas events are alike in what they cope with worst: they are at night, outdoors and in damp conditions. And they differ in everything else.
Zambomba
It is almost always live music: vocals, guitar, hand-clapping, tambourine and often a cajón. The less it is amplified the better it sounds, but with a courtyard full of people singing it needs reinforcement. It is miked like a small flamenco group: microphones close to the voices, careful control of feedback and discreet monitors so the musicians can hear themselves without raising the overall volume. In an enclosed courtyard the echo works against you: the sound is spread out rather than concentrated.
Christmas lights switch-on
It is an official ceremony with music: a speech or a few words from the mayor, a countdown and a performance by a choir or band. It needs a PA system that reaches the whole square and a clear voice, because everyone is looking up and chatting. The countdown has to be heard perfectly right at the back, which is precisely the hardest part.
Parade
Sound on the move and fixed sound. On the move, stand-alone battery-powered systems mounted on the floats and secured to withstand the jolting. Fixed, stand-alone PA points along the route and a larger set-up at the finish, where there is usually a reception or a performance.
Christmas markets and activities
Background music for many hours on end and occasional announcements. What matters here is reliability: systems that switch on every morning and run all day without anyone having to touch them, protected from rain and night dew.
Cold and damp
What winter does to the equipment
Night-time damp condenses
Equipment that spends the evening and night outdoors builds up moisture. It is always covered when not playing, and the cabling on the ground is protected.
Batteries perform worse in the cold
In December the real battery life of a portable system is lower than in May. It is calculated with a margin and spares are brought along.
Musicians play with cold hands
It is not a technical problem, but it affects the rehearsal: it is best to have the set-up tested and ready so that the sound check is short.
Rain: plan for it, don't improvise
A marquee, awning or covered arcade decided at the quote stage. Electrical equipment is never set up exposed, and that decision is not taken on the afternoon itself.
Night-time set-ups
Almost everything happens after six. The set-up is done in daylight so that the installation and cabling are done properly and with good light.
Peak demand season
Zambombas, company dinners, parades and New Year parties are all packed into three weeks. Equipment runs out; booking early is the only way to secure your date.
Equipment and set-ups
What gets rented at Christmas
For a zambomba in a courtyard or a peña (social club), a small system, enough microphones for the group and a couple of monitors will do. A light switch-on in a square needs distributed PA, a lectern microphone and often a stage platform and lighting. A parade needs stand-alone systems and lots of sound points.
December company dinners fall in the same month and compete for the same equipment: if you are organising one, see sound for corporate events. If the event is organised by a town council with dignitaries, the approach is that of an official ceremony; and if it ends in dancing, that of a verbena.
December fills up in October
If you already have a date for your zambomba, light switch-on or parade, book it now and we will prepare your quote.
Frequently asked questions
Questions about Christmas events
How far ahead do you need to book for December?
As early as possible. Along with the Feria and the month of May, December is when equipment sells out first. Many brotherhoods and town councils lock in their set-ups in September or October.
Can you provide sound for a zambomba in a small courtyard?
Yes, and usually with less equipment than people expect. In an enclosed courtyard with the audience close by, a small, well-positioned system sounds much better than a big one running at half throttle.
How do you provide sound for a parade float?
With a stand-alone battery-powered system, secured to the float's structure and protected. Battery life has to cover the whole route, and the controls must be accessible to whoever is riding on top.
What if it rains on the day of the light switch-on or the parade?
It is planned for from the quote stage: a marquee for the control position, protection for the equipment and a sheltered location if the space allows. Cancelling is the organiser's decision; protecting the equipment is ours.
Can you provide sound for several days in a row at a Christmas market?
Yes. We install a fixed set-up that stays in place, with the volume limited and explained to the organisers, and it is checked regularly.
Do you work on New Year's Eve and Three Kings' Day?
Yes, we work on those dates. As they are special days, it is best to confirm them even further ahead than the rest of December.
Quote
Book your Christmas date
Type of event, date, town, venue and whether there is live performance. The sooner you ask, the better the availability.
How it looks
Set-ups for this type of event
Examples of the equipment and set-up an event like yours usually needs.
