May Crosses and romerías
Sound for Cruces de Mayo and romerías
Countryside, albero sand, midday sun and not a socket for miles. It is the toughest set-up of the year on the equipment, and the one least forgiving of improvisation.
- Setting
- Outdoors, albero, dust and sun
- Power
- Battery or generator
- Client
- Brotherhoods, associations and town councils
- Dates
- May and the romería season
What the set-up involves
An outdoor event with no infrastructure at all
Cruces de Mayo (May Crosses) are set up in squares, shared courtyards and neighbourhood streets; romerías (pilgrimage festivals) take place out in the countryside. Either way the starting point is the same: there is no reliable power, no shade, and the ground is nothing like an indoor floor.
Power is the first problem
A May Cross in a square can sometimes hook up to a municipal supply box or a neighbour's socket, but that is rarely enough for music all day. Out in the countryside there is simply none. There are two ways to solve it: battery-powered stand-alone systems when the set-up is small and has to move, or a generator if there is a performance, a stage or several sound points. How many kilowatts you need is worked out in advance: this guide explains how.
Dust, albero and sun
Albero sand gets into everything. Speakers are never placed directly on the ground, cables are raised or protected, and the mixing desk is covered when not in use. May sunshine heats up the electronics: an amplifier left in the sun for six hours ends up going into protection mode, and then the sound cuts out. Shade is planned from set-up, not once it is already hot.
What plays at a May Cross
Sevillanas, rumbas and background music for most of the day, with the volume going up at times in the evening. Coverage matters more than power: spreading two or three sound points around the square sounds better and disturbs less than one big system in a corner. If a choir or a sevillanas group is performing, you need microphones, monitors and a mixing desk with enough channels.
Romerías and pilgrim routes
At a romería the sound is split between the departure point, the route and the destination. The equipment has to be portable and work without cables. For the open-air mass or the moment of prayer, what you need is a clear PA system: the voice above the noise of people, animals and wind, with no background music.
Planning ahead
What needs sorting out before leaving home
Vehicle access
Many May Crosses are in pedestrian streets or courtyards without vehicle access, and many romerías are on dirt tracks. You need to know how far the van can get and how much has to be carried by hand.
Battery life calculated by the hour
A twelve-hour event cannot be covered with one battery. Actual consumption is calculated and charged spares are brought along, or a generator is considered.
Shade and protection
An awning, marquee or tarpaulin for the equipment and the technician. It is the difference between a set-up that lasts the day and one that cuts out at four in the afternoon.
Schedule and neighbours
May Crosses in courtyards and neighbourhood squares have a cut-off time for music and residents all around: it is worth checking the noise regulations before setting the programme.
Public space permit
Occupying a square or a street requires council authorisation. It is the organiser's responsibility: how it works.
Quote and invoice for the brotherhood
An itemised quote and an invoice in the name of the brotherhood or association, with whatever details are needed for the accounts.
Equipment
What we take to a May Cross or a romería
Equipment is chosen for portability and durability before power. A compact two-way battery system handles a small May Cross; with live performance, a mixing desk, microphones and monitors are added; if there is a stage, stage platforms and lighting come in for the night, which is when the Cross fills up.
If the event includes an evening of dancing afterwards, the set-up is similar to a verbena (street party). If there is a flamenco group, here we explain how it is miked up.
Is there power on site?
That is the first question. Tell us where it is being set up, how many hours it lasts and whether there is a performance, and we will plan the complete set-up for you.
Frequently asked questions
Questions from brotherhoods and associations
We have no electricity on site. Is it possible to set up sound?
Yes, that is the norm at romerías. We use battery systems for small set-ups and a generator when there is a performance or several sound points. We just need to know how many hours it has to run.
How many hours does a battery system last?
It depends on the volume: at background-music level it lasts many hours; at party volume, considerably fewer. That is why we bring charged spare batteries when the event runs all day.
Does dust damage the equipment?
It does affect it, which is why the set-up keeps the equipment raised off the albero, protects the mixing desk and keeps cabling tidy. It is part of the job, not an extra.
Can you set up in a pedestrian square with no van access?
Yes. We unload at the nearest permitted point and carry it in by hand. It is best to mention this when requesting a quote, as it changes the set-up time.
Do you provide quotes for brotherhoods?
Yes, itemised line by line and invoiced in the name of the brotherhood. If several options need to be presented to the board, we prepare them.
What if it rains on the weekend of the May Cross?
Electrical equipment is never set up exposed. A marquee or awning is included from the quote stage and, if the forecast gets worse, we decide in good time whether to cover, scale down or move the set-up.
Quote
Get a quote for your May Cross or romería
Dates, town, type of space, hours of operation and whether there is power or a generator is needed.
How it looks
Set-ups for this type of event
Examples of the equipment and set-up an event like yours usually needs.
