Beatkitchen

What an absolute legend,
Such a massive loss to the electronic music industry.

In Memoriam: Ian Barton, monitor engineer (1967-2025):

https://www.lsionline.com/news/in-memoriam-ian-barton-monitor-engineer-1967-2025/

Published 8 January 2026
[UK] It is with much sadness that LSI reports the passing of Ian Barton, sound engineer and long serving monitor engineer for The Chemical Brothers. Along with work for The Charlatans, Paul Weller, Liam Gallagher, The Pretenders, Doves, Hot Chip and many others. Simon Duff and Shan Hira look back at his long and successful career in pro audio.

A passion for audio from an early age as a young boy Ian was an active member of his local scout group, where he first discovered a passion for drumming. Through the group, he joined their brass band, developing his musical talents that eventually led to him performing with them five times at the Royal Albert Hall. During his time at school and college, he worked alongside his sister Dian at Oz PA, then a leading PA company in Manchester. He began his career there as an audio technician, with his first night on the job taking place at the legendary Hacienda nightclub.

In 1983, aged just 15, Ian went on his first tour, spending his summer holidays working for Oz PA with the Manchester band The Smiths. He continued to work with Oz PA for several years, where he learned his craft and developed his technical skills, mixing FOH and Monitors on TAC consoles, along with Martin wedges and PA boxes, eventually establishing himself as a highly respected, top-class monitor engineer.

Scott Essen, Skan PA crew chief and system designer supplied Ian’s monitor set up, for many tours and events, based on a Midas XL4 console. Scott pays his respects. “To some, an empty flight case might be an inconvenient piece of hardware but to Barts it would become an integral part of his setup. A cocktail table, a props station, a dancing platform, an inclusive part of that night’s show like any family, guests or locals that would also soon be adopted into his world. It would not be uncommon for him to seek out any surplus drum-fills or alike hiding at the back of a festival stage and put them to good use for anyone wanting a snippet of the full Barts experience that the band got to experience night after night. He took great pride in his XL4 setup and the admiration it received from his peers. It was a platform for him to create a performance of his own. The kind that couldn’t be taught or replicated but honed and crafted over years of pure enjoyment. Much like our long and happy working relationship.”

Likewise, a fine example of the high esteem that Ian held for Skan’s own professionalism came during an interview he gave in 2024. Talking about his monitor world set up for The Chemical Brothers 2023 arena tour, where he mixed on XL4 Ian said: “The console is just the best thing in the world! It weighs half a tonne, but I’m so lucky to be able to take it everywhere! A lot of fine-tuning goes into my monitor mixes in the ‘triangle of trust’ between myself, Shan Hira who mixes FOH, and Chemical Brothers’ Tom Rowlands. Ed Simons plays different synths, and some satellite speakers dotted around the stage, so I overlay whatever the sound is. There are 24 analogue keyboards running at any one time, but mixing it is completely second nature at this point.

“I have Lab Gruppen amplification on my own L-Acoustics speakers, two ARCs, two dVSub, two 108 and four 108P. When it comes to our audio supplier Skan is the one, for expertly maintaining their desks and bespoke requests over the years. They’re a stand-alone company. The cleanliness of the gear and the way it’s all put together for us, well it’s more than just nice, it’s an important part of how the show works.”

FOH mix engineer Shan Hira, formed a close working friendship with Ian over many years and many tours for The Chemical Brothers. He expresses his feelings: “We were friends for over 40 years and were fortunate to spend the last 25 of those traveling the world together as multicore brothers for The Chemical Brothers. He was, without question, a world-class monitor engineer.

“Ian’s approach was meticulous and consistent, careful gain structure, precise EQ decisions, and most importantly an exceptional understanding of how to get a vibe going for the band on stage. He could make a stage sound coherent, powerful, and comfortable, he had a well-honed grasp of balance and dynamics, and his attention to detail never wavered, even under the most severe pressure. More than once I walked onto the stage and was genuinely amazed by how good it sounded: clear, controlled, and musical. Beyond his technical ability, he was a remarkable human being. He approached every day with enthusiasm, curiosity, and a genuine love for the work and the people around him. He will be deeply missed, and life on the road and off it will never be quite the same without him.”

The Chemical Brothers echo their sadness at the loss they feel. Ed Simons, from the duo adds his tribute: “Ian was our monitor engineer for 25 plus years. Our first gig with Ian was supporting David Bowie in a Chicago theatre for an audience of Miller-Lite competition winners. He was superb at his job, whatever the circumstances, and we’ve played a lot of random shows, Ian made sure we could not only hear what we were doing but vibe off it. I’ll cherish most the beautiful mischievous man he always was. He brought fun to all, the original life and soul, incredibly funny and kind.

“Morale was never too low that him spending the whole day in some crazy mask he’d found got everyone going again. He welcomed every new member of crew and made them immediately part of the family. Our crew work very hard, long hours, a huge physical and mental load, but whenever you saw them, there was laughter, usually involving Barts. He looked after anyone who watched the show from his vantage, Wives, girlfriends, Tom’s kids when they were tiny, to other bands on the bill wanting a look, they were all treated to a drink, a chair if needed and always a very loud wedge monitor! Playing is usually fun, touring can be long, Barts reminded everyone to enjoy themselves and enjoy each other. A complete one off, made his own unique way through life. Barts rest well. you gave so many people so much happiness. I will never forget you. I owe you so much. Seems so hard to take, someone so alive not being here anymore.”

Outside of work Ian had a love for adventure and freedom. He loved his foldaway bike, often bringing it along on tour and happily setting off to explore festival sites or nearby towns whenever there was a day off. He also loved his motorbike, and his VW Camper Van held a very special place in his heart. Many happy times were spent travelling up and down the country, seeking out quiet, remote spots where he could park up, set up camp, unwind, light a fire, and simply enjoy the peace of being away.

Rest in Peace Ian, you are much missed but legends never fade.

Tonight at The House of Bamboo 🔥
From 8pm till late, we’re handing the decks to DJ Luca (Beat Kitchen) for a proper old-skool vinyl set — no laptops, no shortcuts, just wheels of steel and deep-cut selectors.

Expect classic grooves, rare finds, and that unmistakable warmth only vinyl delivers.
Drinks flowing, lights low, music loud.

Free entry.
Come early, stay late.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DSJKgXeEwPl/?igsh=MTVxaXBvNWtlNDhqcQ==

It’s finally out, ‘Falling’, Includes the title track + 3 alternate remixes. Co-written with my friend Gabby Dever, available on all the usual platforms, links in bio…#musicrelease #australianartist #newmusic #dancemusic #ibizasunset