For the last seven years Smith has been an Avolites user, having developed his craft using Avo' Sapphires and Pearls. He wanted to use the D4 since he first saw the prototype models at PLASA 2002. This year, with the console now in full production, the opportunity arose with this tour. So far, it's been a big hit. He likes the flexibility of the D4, and standard features like the ability to make any fader on the board into a playback; he also likes the layout, the programming architecture and Avo's support and back up.
The intense, suggestive power of TCTC's music lends itself ideally to a dramatic and theatrical style of lighting at which Smith excels. Lighting fixtures are a mixture of conventionals - Pars, Molefeys and ACLs - and assorted moving lights including Martin 2k profiles and MAC 600s plus Martin Atomic strobes. To maximize the 'multi-layered' look, Smith had a front and back truss, with MAC 600s on drop bars from the back, plus six floor standing towers, each topped with a MAC 2k profile.
Smith has worked regularly with Bandit UK for the last 12 months, and comments that their service and back up is also excellent. The lighting team was completed by crew-mates Craig Saunders and Rob Watson.
(Sarah Rushton-Read)
