Le Sucre (English: The Sugar) in Lyon, France is a popular new dance club and performance venue converted from a former sugar warehouse. Supporting the club’s eclectic mix of electronic dance music and other arts performances is a potent Meyer Sound system based around JM-1P arrayable loudspeakers and 1100-LFC low-frequency control elements. The system was designed and installed by Paris-based Best Audio under the direction of Sébastien Nicolas.
“Le Sucre is a place dedicated to serving artists and the audiences, while advancing creativity and innovative musical culture in our region,” says Matthieu Lecan, director of development for Arty Farty, the non-profit arts organization that operates the club. “During planning, we had discussions with a number of people in the electronic music business, including well-known producer and DJ Laurent Garnier.”
Paris-based rental firm DUSHOW coordinated a JM-1P demo for Garnier and Arty Farty representatives. “Laurent played his own tracks through a JM-1P system, and the sound was clean, clear, and powerful,” recalls Lecan. “Meyer Sound is the best brand for what we needed. It gives us the capability to present high level techno music, as well as concerts with different styles for different audiences.”
Le Sucre’s system includes twin clusters of three-each JM-1P loudspeakers at the front, with two UPQ-1P loudspeakers each on either side of the dance floor. Low end is provided by a horizontal array of four 1100-LFC loudspeakers, while three UPJuniorâ„¢ VariOâ„¢ loudspeakers supply side fill. Two more UPQ-1P loudspeakers paired with two 600-HP subwoofers flank the DJ platform, and everything is optimized and driven by a GalileoA® loudspeaker management system with a Galileo 616 processor.
Since its summer opening, Le Sucre has quickly gained a reputation not only as a pristine late-night destination, but also as a cutting-edge venue for experimental shows that mix digital technology with live performances.
“Regular clubbers who are active on the blogs and forums have really taken notice,” reports Lecan. “There’s a buzz about this great new club called Le Sucre with a fantastic sound system. About 97% of our concerts are sold out before we open the doors.”
Established in 1999, Arty Farty has organized the Nuits sonores electronic music festival in Lyon since 2003. Its headquarters, along with Le Sucre, are located inside La Sucriere, an expansive complex of galleries and performance spaces devoted to contemporary art.