The line up saw a role call of the great-and-the-good in the world of guitar heroes from past and present - starring Dave Gilmour, Gary Moore, Amy Winehouse, Phil Manzenera, Brian May, Joe Walsh and many, many more. Bandit worked with producers, Field Services (production manager Pete Edmonds), and lighting designer Baz Halpin collaborated with set designer Mark Fisher to produce a look that comprised a primary scenic truss overstage - in the shape of the reversed Fender "F", constructed from A-type trussing sections plus and a selection of custom-built pieces. Measuring approximately 24ft long by 20ft wide, it was incorporated into Fisher's overall stage design, which also included several 10 x 4ft wooden Stratocaster replicas, hung either side of a central LED video wall. The "F" truss did not carry any lights, but was highlighted with MAC 300s.
The stage lighting rig consisted of over 120 Martin moving light fixtures, as Halpin used almost every Martin model in Bandit's inventory - including MAC 250s, 300s, 500s, 600s, 2K Profiles and Washes and 2K Performances. For those great, classic, Fender Rock 'n roll moments, he also worked several strings of ACLs and Molefeys blinders into the design.
The show was recorded for DVD by Eagle Rock Entertainment. For audience lighting, Halpin worked closely with director of photography, Steve Tickner. Audience lighting consumed 144 PARs, 42 Source Four profiles, 12 Martin MAC 2K Performances and 18 strings of ACLs. A spot bridge was installed for four Lycian 2000K Xenon FOH spots, which together with the four Lycian 1.2K HMI onstage truss spots, were also supplied by Bandit. Control featured two WholeHog II consoles for the stage lighting, and an Avolites Sapphire 2000 for the audience, operated by Dave Lee. Dimming was all Avolites. Production video was supplied by XL Video and audio by Britannia Row Productions.
Bandit also supplied 60 Lodestar motors and all rigging for stage and audience lighting. "The biggest challenge" explains Halpin, was the fact that the show "Was a one off and there was limited programming time, a large line up of artists" - most of whom he'd never seen perform before.
Lester Cobrin comments, "It was a great honour to be involved in a gig of this profile. Baz and the team all rose to the many demands involved, and produced a truly world class lighting design and show fitting to the event."
(Sarah Rushton-Read)
