BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Pop singer Enslow strode confidently across the Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks stage Friday, her red hair bouncing and the tassels on her white bodysuit swinging.
And soon after she started her show with her song "Dangerous," followed by a cover of Madonna's "Material Girl," the audience — even those across the lawn on the campus' Town Square — seemed involved.
One reason was because when Enslow opened the 16th season of free summer concerts at Levitt Pavilion, the sound was clear, crisp and resounding.
No matter where you were sitting.
Friday's show, which started this year's lineup of 48 concerts, gave the audience its first exposure to a new state-of-the-art sound system that replaces a public address system developed 25 years ago.
The series continues at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 17, with Next Gen Live, a showcase of high school rock bands from Bethlehem Liberty, Central Bucks South, Central Bucks East, Neshaminy, Pequea Valley and Abington.
When ArtsQuest, which runs the Levitt series, announced the new sound system three weeks ago, it said it would "deliver improved sound quality, broader coverage and an enhanced experience overall for performers and audiences."
And it did.
Quality sound across the lawn
Even those who aren't audiophiles could recognize the high fidelity the sound carried — sharper than ever at the Levitt lawn.
The surprise was that listeners got that same high level at the extreme side areas — to which new hanging speakers were pointed — as well as those on Town Square.
In fact, the reason it was so noticeable was that the sound didn't differ much from those areas and close to the stage.
Another surprise was that closer to the stage, it wasn't much louder — and not softer farther away; just largely the same sound.
Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks Executive Director Cory Stevens had said before the show that was what was expected from the new system.
The system's configuration includes advanced amplification and processing technology designed to deliver consistent, high-quality sound across the entire Levitt lawn, and beyond.
The previous system operated below the volume levels typically required by modern touring productions and required ongoing maintenance with mismatched components, ArtsQuest said.
Stevens previously said the new sound system "is a significant investment for the Levitt Pavilion and for everyone who experiences live music and entertainment at SteelStacks.”
“We believe free shows should deliver the same level of production quality as ticketed events, and this new system allows us to provide that for our artists, our audiences and our community," Stevens said.
Stevens, who on Friday took to the Levitt stage to kick off the new season and thank all of the volunteers who make the season work, was excited about how the new system was performing.
A few songs into the show, in an interview, he pointed out the lack of a "clap-back" echo sound the older system produced on Town Square was conspicuously gone.
'Smaller audience, big shows ahead
The Levitt season, which in addition to free concerts offers free movies, community events and performances, annually draws more than 50,000 people to the Levitt Pavilion.
While Enslow continued her performance with a cover of The Cranberries' "Linger" and the original "I Love You," she drew an unusually small audience of perhaps 300.
That likely could be at least partially attributed to the weather: The show started under overcast skies and a temperature of just 64 degrees.
Though the clouds mostly cleared during the show, temperatures had dipped into the 50s by the time the concert finished.
But there's a full season ahead: July 2 will mark 15 years since boogie-woogie piano player Marsha Ball played the first show at Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks.
The Levitt's first season was shorter because it started later. The pavilion has since offered 14 more full seasons of about 50 free shows a year.
Highlights this summer are The Rev. Horton Heat on Aug. 28. The band had two albums — "It's Martini Time" in 1996 and "Space Heater" in 1998 — hit the Top 200 on Billboard's Albums list.
Its songs have appeared in the movies "Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls" in 1995, "Bio-Dome" in 1996, "Free Willy 3: The Rescue" in 1997, "Major League: Back to the Minors" in 1998 and "The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas" in 2000.
Dustbowl Revival will perform June 4. The California-based collective merges old-school bluegrass, gospel, jug-band, swamp blues and the hot swing of the 1930s.
It's known for its inspired live sets which boldly bring together many styles of traditional American music.
Latin percussionist Hector Rosado, who has toured with David Byrne and Tito Puente, has recorded for Warner Bros. Records, and has created tracks for “video Jams” as seen on the BET Network, will headline opening night of ¡Sabor! Latin Festival, set for June 25-27.
