The Ed Sheeran Mathematics tour is the first known to use a temporary demountable self-supporting cable structure. Given it is the first, the design team had to invent it and consider all design aspects – cost, aesthetics, structural stability, and functionality.
The structure had to be easily transported, unloaded, and assembled in just three days within different stadia in UK and around the world. This made the project very challenging and at the same time very exciting.
Cundall were appointed to provide structural engineering expertise, from early concept to detail design.
The touring structure consists of six 30m high steel masts positioned around the central stage and supporting a 22mm diameter, 60m clear span cable net. This is in turn used to suspend the central 21m diameter, 45 tonnes circular transparent LED screen over the stage, as well as 10 tonnes of PA.
Additional 22 tonnes of PA and 22 tonnes of double-sided LED screens shaped like plectrums are suspended from the top of the masts, adding cutting-edge production to a very unique structure.
Jeremy Lloyd, Co-Director of WonderWorks said:
“I’ve been lucky enough to work on some amazing stadium tours over the years, but this one is up there! Touring a cable net on this scale has never been done before and to see it wow 80,000 revellers at Croke Park was an incredibly proud moment.
Credits:
Creative Director – Mark Cunniffe, Production Director – Chris Marsh, Production Manager – Helen Himmons, Stage Manager – Matt Caley, Site Managers – Ben Johnstone & Harry Ford, Technical Design and Coordination – Wonder Works, Structural Engineering – Cundall, Audio System Design – Charlie Albin, Video System Design – Phil Mead, Steel System Fabrication – Stage One, Stage Fabrication – Tait, Set Fabrication – WiCreations, Plectrum Fabrication – Twenty-Three, Audio Supplier – Major Tom Touring, Video Supplier – Colonel Tom Touring, Lighting Supplier – LCR, Pyro Supplier – Pains Fireworks
This project pushed all parties (designers, suppliers, and the crew) to give their best to create something never done before. It is a phenomenal show case for Ed Sheeran and serves as an advertisement for UK creative industries.
