Academy Music Group unveils major technical audio and lighting upgrade and refurbishment at historic London venue, O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire

Academy Music Group Limited (AMG) has revealed a major investment at its beloved West London venue, O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire. These recent improvements are the latest in a continuous programme of upgrades planned by the company to ensure its venues are at the forefront of the industry.

The historic building which was designed by renowned architect Frank Matcham and opened in 1903, has been entertaining audiences for over 120 years and this summer has undergone a comprehensive technical upgrade, transforming the venue's audio capabilities and updating the venue’s lighting while preserving the architectural integrity and remaining sensitive to the backdrop of performances and arguably one the most well-known theatres in the UK.

Partnering with Adlib, the installation of a d&b Audiotechnik,one of the world's leading loudspeaker manufacturers, has been designed to work with and respect the historical elements of the venue, while achieving unprecedented coverage and acoustic fidelity throughout all areas of the auditorium. This modernisation project has delivered professional-grade systems, ensuring optimal technical support for a diverse range of live entertainment programming.

“Installing this impressive audio system was essential to give our audience the very best sonic experience, ensuring that O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire’s audio capabilities are top-class, not only meeting, but exceeding what touring parties expect when they arrive at our venue” said Liam Boylan, CEO at Academy Music Group. “We host a diverse programme of live music and entertainment, and the d&b system delivers across productions and genres and improves the experience for every audience member attending shows at our venue.”

Rob Crossland, Installation Project Manager at Adlib added, “As a Grade II listed building, it’s essential that any upgrades respect and protect its historic character. We took great care to ensure the installation of the new audio and lighting equipment were carried out sensitively, preserving the fabric of the building while enhancing the experience for audiences. We specifically ground-stacked the d&b loudspeaker system to ensure that O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire's architecture remains the star of the show, while providing touring productions with the necessary tools to deliver fantastic shows to every seat in the house.”

Adlib has also installed a brand-new house lighting system at O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire as part of this project, which provides a comprehensive range of rider-friendly lighting fixtures, delivering an enhanced experience across diverse programming formats. The system features spotlights, wash lights, strobes, and blinders from leading lighting fixture manufacturers, including Robe, GLP, and Chauvet with the ability to create distinctive and appealing visual presentations independently or working with touring live productions. The lighting distribution has also been upgraded to include an 18-way 'touring' hot power distribution rack with Powerlock in and out connections and 8 Socapex outputs.

Alongside this comprehensive technical upgrade, O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire has also undergone a significant refurbishment of the Level 1 Balcony. Working with Kirwin & Simpson Seating, the project has improved on the seating in this area, upgrading one of the most iconic views in the auditorium. “As a fourth-generation family business that has supported venues worldwide since 1945, Kirwin & Simpson worked very closely with the team at O2 Shepherds Bush Empire and Hammersmith & Fulham council to ensure the chair design was in keeping with the style and heritage of the venue” says William Simpson, Director, Kirwin & Simpson. “As a bespoke seating designer from traditional to contemporary styling, we have fitted an appropriate chair with all the modern level of comfort and durability.”

Speaking on the overall refurbishment works, Bill Marshall, General Manager, O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire said, Speaking on the overall refurbishment works, Bill Marshall, General Manager, O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire said, “O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire is such a loved venue, and the management team here collectively hold 100 years of experience working with this legendary building. It’s been an absolute joy to see our experienced venue team and the passionate Adlib crew collaborating to bring the amazing new d&b system to life, along with the creative input and expertise from Jim Boyle, Ben Smith and Paula Trounce on the light installation. Stepping out onto the Level 1 balcony has always been an awe-inspiring experience, but the refurbishment of that space has raised the bar even further, and we can’t wait for people to come in and see, hear and feel the updates we’ve made.”