It’s also a highly adaptable system and exceptionally good for ground stacking, he confirms. Having options and flexibility is vital for getting a good sound in theatres and medium sized venues. Dockerty is running the VerTec in conjunction with ADLIB’s own DF4 2 x 18 inch subs, which is proving a great combination. The system is powered by Crown VZ5002s amps on the subs and Camco Vortek V6’s driving the VerTec boxes. Dockerty mixes the show using a Soundcraft Series 5 desk, “It’s one of the most intuitive live mixing consoles on the market” he says, adding that right now, being a bit of a dinosaur he’s still firmly committed to analogue.

He’s using Lake Contour processors - newly purchased by ADLIB - for system control, picked because “the filters are way ahead of those in any rival products, and because I was keen to learn more about them”. Outboards include BSS 402 compressors, Drawmer DS 501 gates, a BSS 901 and an XTA D2 frequency conscious compressor. For effects there’s a Lexicon PCM 81, two SPX 2000s and a TC D2 delay. ADLIB is also supplying a selection of microphones, predominantly Shure (dynamics), and AKG (condensers) and a Shure radio system for lead singer Sharleen Spiteri - A Shure Premier series with a Beta 87 head. “Her voice is excellent - clean and powerful and a pleasure to work with” says Dockerty.

It’s a busy show for cues and he is precise and selective about what’s brought out in the mix, but generally aims for keeping Texas’ very solid and confident sound coming offstage as natural as possible - just louder. Monitor world is looked after by Marc Peers, who’s also had a long term relationship with Texas over 10 years. He says “The band is excellent to work with - they’re extremely tight and know what they want, and Sharleen is very confident. Apart from that, they’re all really nice people which makes doing monitors relatively straightforward”.

He’s running a standard low-profile ADLIB MP3 (15+1.5”) wedge monitor system and two sets of IEMs through a Yamaha PM 5D console, which he loves! “It’s a “Nice four person lift, and for Texas where there’s plenty of keyboards and cues, it’s great for storing and recalling settings”. Apart from that, the console’s size and small footprint is ideal for side stage in theatre venues, and no outboard racks are necessary, as all the facilities are onboard the desk, further reducing space and increasing convenience”.

Drummer Neil Payne and the new keyboard player Michael are on IEMs, but the band generally like lots of wedges onstage and “Big Fuck-Off side fills” explains Peers. The side fills are in fact a brand new 3-way model designed and built by ADLIB including 2, 1 x 18” subs and a mid high box per side. It’s the first time these have been out of the workshop and they are giving “A great uniform stage coverage” confirms Peers.

The IEMs are Shure wired’s. Payne has his own Behringer mixer and receives a left and right mix of everything from Peers onto which he lays the click. “It’s a relatively ‘Old School’ monitor rig really” says Peers “It’s designed to be as flexible as possible for a wide variety of different stage spaces.” Dockerty and Peers are joined by an ADLIB crew of two - the renowned techno wizard Tony Szarbo, and Gareth Dubbeling. The tour is production managed by Alan Moffat and tour manager is Graham Cochrane. Lighting is designed by Tom Lesh and supplied by Neg Earth, catering is by Popcorn, trucking by Stardes and buses by Phoenix.