AUSTRALIA: A long-vacant warehouse in Sydney’s Hills district has been rebadefined as a serious new destination for touring artists and large-scale events, with the launch of Bella LIVE signalling Momento Hospitality’s intent to reshape the entertainment landscape of the city’s Northwest. Set within the Bella Vista Hotel precinct, the 1,029m² venue has emerged from a multi-million-dollar transformation as a flexible, high-capacity live performance space capable of hosting everything from headline DJ sets and international tours to comedy, sport and corporate productions.

At the heart of Bella LIVE’s technical identity is a carefully optimised Martin Audio Wavefront Compact (WPC) line array system, supplied by Australian distributor Technical Audio Group (TAG) and fully integrated by Vestec Electro. With ceiling heights reaching eight metres and a capacity approaching 2,000, the venue demanded a system that could deliver serious SPL, headroom and control while remaining fully rider-compliant in a challenging acoustic environment.

The audio design process saw TAG’s system solutions and engineering team, led by technical director Anthony Russo, deploy Martin Audio’s DISPLAY visualisation software alongside EASE modelling to predict and refine coverage. Recognising the reverberant nature of the industrial-style space, Russo engaged acousticians Gilfillan Soundwork to conduct detailed on-site measurements and computer modelling. This collaboration resulted in a substantial acoustic treatment strategy, including the installation of 36 large bass traps to tame low-frequency build-up and reduce reverberation time across the room.

The final main system configuration comprises hangs of 12 Martin Audio WPC enclosures, six per side, paired with eight Martin Audio SX218 dual 18-inch subwoofers. Power and processing are handled by Martin Audio iKon iK42 DSP four-channel amplifiers operating in two-box resolution. Custom rigging frames allowed the arrays to be flown efficiently from the venue’s truss system while retaining the flexibility of the factory fly frames.

Low-frequency control proved critical. Extensive CAD modelling highlighted the limitations of conventional left-right subwoofer stacks, prompting the team to adopt a horizontal sub array running continuously beneath the stage. This approach enabled individual cabinet steering for improved summation and more even bass distribution across the audience area, while an additional layer of physical damping was introduced using strategically placed sandbags to limit unwanted energy spilling to the rear, top and sides.

To maintain consistent coverage beyond the main floor, a delay system of 10 Martin X15 loudspeakers and six SX212 subwoofers reinforces the bar and VIP booth areas. On stage, a rider-friendly foldback system featuring seven Martin Audio LE200 high-power wedges and an SX118 subwoofer, driven by two further iKon iK42 amplifiers, delivers up to eight discrete monitor mixes.

The entire audio infrastructure is networked over Dante with analogue redundancy into a Q-SYS system backbone, complemented by a high-spec lighting and video installation. Vestec Electro also implemented comprehensive house and stage patching, including a 48-channel concert splitter and multiple tie lines, ensuring Bella LIVE is fully equipped for broadcast, recording and touring productions.

Since opening, the venue has already welcomed major international acts including Snoop Dogg, Will Sparks, NE-YO, Lil Jon and Wiz Khalifa—early proof that Bella LIVE’s technical ambition, experienced production team and Martin Audio-powered design have positioned it firmly on the national touring circuit.