Heart’s Royal Flush Tour required a sound system capable of supporting the band’s dynamic catalog – shifting from high-energy rock arrangements to intimate vocal moments while maintaining consistency across arenas, outdoor sheds and theaters. Front-of-house engineer Gary Hartung, who has mixed for Heart and for Ann Wilson for more than a decade, needed a system that offered musical smoothness, reliability and even coverage from show to show. After strong results using the JBL Professional VTX V25 system on the band’s 2019 tour, Hartung sought the same dependable performance for the 2024–2026 run.
Hartung and Sound Image deployed a JBL Professional system featuring VTX V25-II-CS mains, B28 subwoofers and VTX A8 front fills powered by Crown I-Tech amplifiers. The configuration supports the band’s full-scale production, delivering the tonal balance Hartung depends on for blending guitar-driven arrangements with Ann and Nancy Wilson’s vocals. “With the VTX system, we were having great shows one after another, so I knew I had made the right choice,” said Hartung. He added that the system maintains a warm, natural character across the wide dynamic range of the setlist. “It’s not overly aggressive, it’s musical. That matters when you’re mixing a show that goes from hard rock to ballads. The system stays even and consistent no matter the dynamics.” The rig’s consistency proved especially valuable for acoustically challenging venues such as Pechanga Arena in San Diego, where Hartung noted that industry peers and venue staff responded positively to the clarity and control of the mix.
The JBL VTX and Crown system delivers clear, balanced audio across every type of venue on the tour, supporting Heart’s signature sound with reliable musicality from night to night. Hartung’s mix benefits from the system’s ability to remain even and controlled during both high-output rock moments and softer vocal passages, ensuring audiences experience the performance as intended. As the band continues its North American run, the production team’s use of JBL and Crown solutions provide the coverage, detail and stability required to meet the expectations of longtime fans while honoring Heart’s enduring live presence.
