Event Services was working for Abu Dhabi production company Flash Events and Lee Charteris.
It was the first time that Wakestock has taken its mix of music and extreme sport to the UEA. The artist line up included Maximo Park, De La Soul, Goldierocks, Carole Samaha and many more, and the event hosted the first leg of the 2010 WWA Wakeboard World Series, where local and international wakeboarders showcased their best tricks and acrobatic stunts on the water.
The calibre of the artist line-up dictated they needed a good-sized stage with decent weight loadings to facilitate the flying of sound, lighting & video equipment in its roof. The beach location required something that was aesthetically pleasing.
Al Laith Event Services' Jo Marshall says, "It was exciting to be asked to work on a completely new event in a fabulous location that needed a specially tailored staging solution. Also to continue our great working relationship with Flash Events."
The stage was an 18m two-bay Orbit stage, supplied from Al Laith stock with 12m high goal posts either side for PA hangs and LED screens. It was also the first time that these goal post constructions have been used in the UAE.
The Orbit stage system is a clear span, modular aluminium arch system that uses combinations of truss length and arch spacing to achieve different widths and depths. A high quality blackout skin was fitted to side grooves in the trusses for completed weather protection. The stage base is constructed with an integrated shoring and decking system, allowing it to be constructed at any height, over most terrains.
The build was undertaken by a combination of Al Laith crew co-ordinated by Jacques Smalberger, and two specialists sent from the UK by Serious Stages, creators of the Orbit roof - of which Al Laith Event Services now has several.
The goalposts were built on the ground beside the stage decking which was put in place first, then craned into position. The main technical challenge was in dealing with the sandy topology.
Al Laith Event Services also supplied FOH and follow spot towers, all the necessary ramps and access platforms for the stage, a wheelchair viewing area, and any other structures required on site. Lighting, sound and video equipment was supplied by Gearhouse Dubai.
(Jim Evans)
