The 2026 Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular took place on July 4 along the Charles River Esplanade and was broadcast live on CNN as part of America’s 250th anniversary celebrations. The annual event regularly draws 500,000 spectators; this edition was hosted by Jane Lynch and featured Lainey Wilson, Chance The Rapper, Trombone Shorty, Megan Hilty, fireworks, and a revolutionary-themed drone show. Thirty minutes before the planned 7 PM start, lightning forced an evacuation, and after heavy rain passed quickly, the Esplanade reopened at 7:15 PM.
RF and communications were overseen by Jeff Briggette, a 26-year veteran of the event and founder of Briggette Audio Services. The production used 74 Shure Axient ADX1 and ADX2 RF microphones, 40 Shure TH53 TwinPlex headset microphones, and 20 Shure Axient Digital PSM IEM systems for talent and host IFBs. Communications used 40 Clear-Com FreeSpeak wireless intercom units, combining FreeSpeak 2 and FreeSpeak Icon belt packs with fiber switches and IPT transceivers, overseen by Briggette, Chris Allen, and John Tracey.
Briggette’s team arrived eight days ahead of the show and spent two days building the system, including running 330 feet of fiber for intercom antennas and wireless microphones. The team also handled RF for the delay PA towers, while Rick Collins and Ava Collins oversaw Shure PSM and BAS custom receiver stations sending audio wirelessly across a 2,500-square-foot area to six delay setups. Scorpio Sound Systems supplied a d&b audiotechnik PA using KSL8 hangs, flown V-SUBs, V10P and XSL boxes, and V Series, T Series, and KSL arrays, while DiGiCo desks at FOH and stageside handled the multiple music, production, monitor, and broadcast submix roles.