Held annually by KultureCity®, the world’s leading nonprofit for sensory accessibility, KultureBall is a black-tie gala that brings together celebrities, philanthropists and advocates to raise awareness and support for individuals with invisible disabilities. For its 10th anniversary celebration inside Birmingham’s historic Boutwell Auditorium, the event featured a full orchestra, live performances, multiple presenters and ASL interpreters. The evening required an audio solution with the power and adaptability of a touring system and the elegance and clarity of a concert hall.
To meet the gala’s ambitious production demands, longtime partner Epic deployed a high-performance JBL VTX A Series loudspeaker system powered by Crown amplifiers and managed using JBL Performance Manager software. The system offered exceptional clarity and feedback control, even with the orchestra positioned in front of the main PA and a center-stage platform installed for keynote moments and performances.
“We first demoed the JBL VTX A Series at an outdoor event in 2024,” said Matt Yancey, FOH engineer for Epic. “Even with an orchestra playing alongside a rock band, the system provided incredible clarity and coverage. That same flexibility made it the perfect choice for KultureCity’s gala, which again featured a full orchestra, multiple presenters, and top-tier talent.”
The rig included JBL VTX A Series main arrays, VTX M22 monitors, and was deployed with JBL’s Venue Synthesis and Performance Manager platforms for precise configuration and coverage mapping. “The drag-and-drop functionality is fantastic,” said Monitor Engineer Jacob Moore. “Once the Venue Synthesis file is ready, Performance Manager auto-populates everything. It’s efficient, intuitive and reliable.”
Rigging efficiency also proved crucial in the historic venue. “I’ve used just about every major PA,” said Yancey. “The A Series rigging is hands-down the easiest to get in the air. We’re always waiting on video and lighting to catch up.” Moore added, “The rigging in the venue is complicated, but having a PA that goes up easily saves so much time. And the punch of the JBL VTX M22 monitors are incredible as volume and clarity are never an issue.”
With seamless coverage, powerful monitoring and clear speech intelligibility, the JBL Professional system elevated every moment of KultureBall 2024, from orchestral interludes to center-stage performances by Arnel Pineda, Orianthi and Taylor Hicks. In a space notorious for its acoustic challenges, the system delivered clean, consistent sound without distraction, enhancing KultureCity’s commitment to sensory inclusion through ASL interpretation, captioning and quiet zones.
“If the Boutwell could talk, it would tell countless stories of iconic performances,” said Gary Teal Junior, CEO of Epic. “It’s a beautiful space, but a challenging one for audio. With the orchestra pushed beyond the PA and a center stage added to the mix, feedback stability and full coverage were non-negotiable. The JBL VTX rig delivered on both.”
“The feedback has been phenomenal,” Teal added. “From the presenters to our KultureCity partners, everyone was impressed with the clarity, warmth and presence of the system. It helped make this milestone gala truly unforgettable.” Artists and guests alike described the listening experience as “like listening to a hi-fi in your living room.”
As KultureCity continues to transform venues and lives through sensory-inclusive initiatives, the 2024 gala demonstrated how JBL Professional and Epic deliver not just technical excellence, but an inclusive, world-class experience that meets the moment.
