Bandit backs Jackson Browne band tour
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Lighting designer Greg Classen began working with Browne in 2021 during Browne’s tour with James Taylor. “For Jackson’s band tour, I knew that I needed a design with some depth that would showcase the music without distracting from his music,” explained Classen. “I decided I wanted something that would replicate the depth and movement of a video wall without actually having to carry one.
“I knew that I needed a design with some depth that would showcase the music without distracting from his music,” explained Classen. “I decided I wanted something that would replicate the depth and movement of a video wall without actually having to carry one.”
Classen utilised an all-LED based system, a choice Browne has long championed for environmental reasons. Bandit Lites supplied Chauvet Rogue R1 FX-B, Elation CuePix WW2 blinders, Martin MAC Auras, Ayrton Ghiblis, Mega Lite Circa Scoop LED and Mega Lite Circa XL Scoop LED.
“Jackson Browne led Bandit and the industry down the green LED road in 2007,” said Bandit Lites chair Michael T. Strickland. “He called us up and challenged us to deliver him an all-LED system. We explained to him that would cost more than a traditional solution, as LED was in its infancy and very expensive. He insisted we do it and he would pay the price.
“In typical Jackson fashion, he led an industry down a path no one had dared go down before. It is true that LED solutions would have happened either way, but Jackson was the first artist to commit to making this change. I believe Jackson advanced this shift in the music industry by years.”
At Bandit Lites Diz Gosnell’s suggestion, Classen chose Ayrton Ghiblis, “I've been thoroughly impressed with their brightness and the many attributes they offer that give me numerous options,” said Classen.
He attributes the Circa Scoops as the linchpin of his design, giving him the opportunity to shift seamlessly from high tech rock looks to a more subtle theatrical vibe.
“I’ve also played a bit with pixel mapping them and running low-res video thru the Grandma 2, and I look forward to expanding on that as we move forward,” added Classen.
Another element of the design centred around the various venues Browne would perform at, ranging from small arenas, proscenium theatres to summer sheds.
“I wanted a design that would maintain its integrity everywhere without looking small on the larger stages,” Classen shared. “With help from Diz, we switched out some ten feet sections of truss for split five feet sections and devised a system to shuffle the Circa Scoop positions. Even in a small room the show looks and feels the same.”
Classen attributes the lighting’s success in part to the prep work Bandit Lites team provided before the tour even departed, describing it as “detailed and complete”, while noting it’s the people that stand out.
“Matt King (project manager) really does an amazing job, and the crew out with me this year has also been awesome,” finished Classen. “Tim Keller and Jemma Detwiler are young, knowledgeable hard workers. Any challenges or changes we get tossed daily are easily absorbed and a solution is always quick and on the money.”
