Lighting designers Seth Jackson and B.K. Waggoner put their heads together at the outset to devise a very flexible rig that could be toured extensively, and broken down into different component parts and versions for the various sections of the tour - depending on the type of venues being played.
Their lighting company of choice on both sides of the Atlantic is Bandit Lites. Waggoner, who is also out operating the tour says, "Bandit's gear is always in excellent condition, their crew are fantastic and the service is second to none." He adds that it's also great to have continuity of supplier across the two continents.
For Bandit Lites, Lester Cobrin handles all UK and European requirements and, in the US, Mike Golden project manages the account.
The main rig is based around three trusses - a straight truss at the rear, hung with a SoftLED backdrop; a mid truss comprising two offstage semi circles that form the top of two scenic columns made from Plexiglas panels; and the front truss, which is V shaped and hung horizontally, with its apex over the centre of stage.
The slightly offbeat configuration looks very interesting and also means they can make a modest amount of lights go a long way, as well as easily getting light to all areas of the stage.
A wide selection of instruments include Vari*Lite VL3000, Martin Professional MAC 2Ks and the smaller MAC 300s as the moving lights. Then there's ACLs, PARs and blinders - all of which are dotted about the trusses and on the floor.
The Plexiglass columns are frosted on the front and glossy on the rear, so they take the light very well and also reflect it back for a different but equally aesthetic effect. The panels are joined together in strings, and concertina down to nearly flat before packing neatly into two flight cases. They give the stage architectural form and vertical definition, and work in conjunction with the upstage SoftLED (supplied by XL Video) to enhance the overall depth.
Bandit is also supplying an onstage Lycian 1.2K followspot, rigged in the centre of the rear truss, plus four 2K Lycians out front, together with all necessary rigging and motor control. The tour is crewed by John Wynne and Martin Garnish.
Waggoner is using a Martin Maxxys console and Martin's Maxedia digital media server - Bandit is one of the few UK hire companies to offer this combination. The Maxedia is used to run all the SoftLED content. It's the first time Wagonner has used Martin control, and he initially went to their LA office for a crash course at the start of the tour. He likes the desk's 'efficiency' and says the effects generator is brilliant.
The show is primarily up-tempo and rocky, interspersed with some pop moments plus and some very moody and dark numbers that provide complete contrast.
Jackson and Waggoner asked Canadian-based Production Design International's Scott Wilson to come onboard with lasers for the tour. They carefully sculpted some dramatic laser moments into the show using three air cooled white YAGs and a Pangolin controller.
Once the tour has finished Europe, it is heading to South America, and production is led by Scotty Ross.
(Chris Henry)
