The concert featured performances from the likes of Nick Cave, The Finn Brothers, Kasey Chambers, The Waifs, Missy Higgins, Powderfinger, John Butler Trio and highly anticipated sets from both Silverchair and Midnight Oil. This was the first time that Silverchair had performed for over two years whilst Midnight Oil were lured out of retirement for such a special occasion.
The WAVEAID concert was organized by veteran promoter Michael Chugg, Mark Pope and Joe Segreto. To ensure that maximum money was raised, the event organizers engaged suppliers to either work free of charge or at cost. Chameleon Touring Systems designed and installed the lighting rig. Managing director Tony Davies did not hesitate to offer his services, despite the fact that it was one of their busiest times of the year with the Big Day Out touring festival and the Edinburgh Military Tattoo performing at the same time.
Australian lighting designers Baz Barrett and Hugh Taranto collaborated to produce a spectacular lighting design. Taranto, long-time lighting designer for Silverchair, was unable to stay for the actual show as he was in Jamaica with Norah Jones. "It was strange because I was looking for a concept that would represent the event and I decided to start with a flown truss configured into a giant helping hand," explained Barrett. "Then I saw the first advertisement for the event and it featured a hand - a good omen! Tony Davies had already told me that he really wanted me to go to town on the design so I needed something that was quick, easy and mega."
Fortunately for Baz, Chameleon stock hundreds of Martin MAC moving heads and so he knew that he could produce a stunning, reliable light show on the all important day. In all there was a total of 40 Martin MAC600s, 24 MAC500s, 24 MAC2000 Profiles and 10 MAC2000 Washes. Throughout the truss-hand there was a combination of MAC500s and MAC600s with MAC2000 Profiles hung from the edges as well as 5k fresnels for the television cameras. There were no moving lights on a front truss just more 5ks and truss followspots. Out on the wings of the stage were several 8-lite and 6-lite molefays as well as five Martin MAC2000 Washes per side to light up the audience. "The concert certainly was a MAC-attack!" said Barrett. "I've used a lot of MACs in my life and bang for buck, you can't go past them."
"We turned the entire trussing and light show around in the factory in about twelve hours," said Baz. "The guys in the moving light department worked their tails off getting it all together. It was a mad, chaotic day but really good to see so many pulling together for a wonderful cause. The generosity by Chameleon was fantastic; they donated an incredible amount of lighting gear and time."
(Lee Baldock)
