The lighting design was a collaboration between Adlib's Ian Tomlinson and freelance LD Rob Lister (also the tour's production manager), with active input from Lostprophets lead singer Ian Watkins.
Watkins specifically wanted a moody, edgy feel to the lighting and a complete departure from their previous 'rock' style light shows, so there is no front truss, and much of the set is darkly lit. The only front lighting directly on the six band members is supplied by three pairs of individual PAR36 DWEs which are mounted on custom mic stands, about 30cm off the floor.
All 24 of the moving lights in the rig are Martin Professional MAC 301 LED moving wash lights. There are 10 MAC 301s on the back truss, six on two downstage booms - three a side - for low level cross stage lighting as well as blasting into the audience, four along the downstage edge of the wedge line and four on the set risers.
These are part of a batch of new MAC 301s that Adlib has just purchased, and have been an immediate hit with Lister who is using a WholeHog 3 console to run the show.
The sound department is being looked after by Adlib's Hassane Es Siahi (FOH) and Paul Roberts (monitors) working closely with the band's two engineers, Alan "Doof" McCann (FOH) and Dave Belis (monitors).
It's a Nexo Alpha system. The left and right stacks go up to a maximum of 11 x M3 mid high boxes per side, and a total of 22 B1 bass cabinets giving a serious rock 'n' roll look and a sonic attitude to suit. There are also 12 Nexo Alpha S2 subs a side ground stacked, and a row of Adlib A122s for in-fill.
The FOH desk is a Soundcraft Vi6. Adlib is supplying another Vi6 for monitors, with a total of 14 d&b m2 wedges, five of which are used for the supports, all driven by D12 amps.
For more on the Lostprophets tour, see the March issue of Lighting&Sound magazine, out soon.
(Jim Evans)
