The line-up was an eclectic mix of the very best of Czech bands including 2010 Czech & Slovak Superstar winner Martin Chodúr, Airfare, Plastic People of the Universe, lut? Pes, Electric Mann, PSH, Cocotte Minute and many more, representing a diversity of styles and genres - rock, urban, electro, pop, punk and dance.
Lighting for both Ostravar and Robe Stages was designed by Bierza, and operated by him plus Dalibor Michenka from High Life Touring and Martin Valovy.
The Ostravar Stage had six Robe ColorSpot 2500 and six ColorWash 2500E ATs on its back truss and four ColorWash 2500E ATs on the floor. On the Robe Stage were four Robin 600 and four Robin 300 Spots on the back truss, eight ColorWash 700E ATs on the front and four ColorWash 700E ATs on the floor.
The rig for the Robe stage was designed about three weeks in advance of the event. Robins were chosen for their durability in outdoor environments, and their low weight and smaller size meant that lighter duty trussing could be used and less crew were required for the build, saving on overall production costs.
With little preparation and pre-programming time available and so many bands playing, lighting on both stages was designed to be operated 'live' in improvised festival style - to great effect.
The biggest challenge of the overall designs was that the lighting was flexible and diverse enough to give each artist an individual look and lightshow, and Bierza says that having all the Robe fixtures was "invaluable" to this process.
This year was a completely new generation of the festival, presented by Ob?anské Sdruení Festival Hrachovka (a not-for-profit association), managed by Bara ?erna and Terezie Diehlova, both students of the Faculty of Multimedia & Communication at Thomas Bata University in Zlín.
The one-day event was a great success, attracting about 2000 people from the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary and Poland, who enjoyed beautiful weather, fabulous vibes and some seriously good music.
(Jim Evans)
