Gray developed three onstage scenic bars with fully working optics and drink mixing facilities. He utilized existing set elements from the ADlite warehouse, and created others with the help of Scenex from the Midlands, who made the bar fronts and mirrors. Theme Traders sourced the two back-cloths - a New York skyline, and a tropical sunset with the third 'I Love New York' backdrop coming from Fun Lovin Criminals' stock. Gray made the whole set as adaptable as possible so it could be shrunk or expanded, according to stage size. ADlite purchased 12 new High End Studio Beam PCs for the tour, in addition to using its new Martin MAC 550s, and its existing Studio Spot 250s and Mac 500s. The rig itself is primarily a moving light rig, configured on two trusses offering maximum versatility, with Studio Beams and Macs on the back truss attached to graduated pipe-beams. Stuart then added colour changer units to illuminate the set.
On the ground are up-ended sections of six foot A-type trussing, which are lit from below with PAR cans, plus colour changers and a Mac 500 fixture rigged on top. These form pillars between the three bar sections of the full set and the lighting picture is completed with five half mirror balls.
Sound engineer Euan Hill has been onboard with FLC for the last 14 months. Last year, Adlib was servicing the sound contract, and he was really keen to use the company's JBL VerTec line array system. "Since then I've always been back to Adlib," he says. He likes VerTec because it's "loud, manageable and incredibly quick to rig" thanks to the lightweight boxes and the practical design of the flying frames. He's using six VerTec elements per side and six Adlib DF4 twin 18" subs on the deck. Adlib has supplied a Midas H3000 console out front and a Soundcraft SM20 for monitors.
Euan uses a Sabine PowerQ for system EQ - using one insert across the system and one on Huey's vocal, and reports that the biggest challenge - and the part he also enjoys the most - is dealing with the massive variety of sounds that can come down live from the sequencer onstage, keeping him constantly on his toes. Apart from this, the other major piece of essential kit is his Gaggio cappuccino maker, without which no FOH set up is complete!The monitor system - run by Chris 'Menace' Roberts - utilizes Adlib's large 15" active wedges, six pairs of them plus DF2 sidefills and DF4 subs, and the system management is dbx.
(Sarah Rushton-Read)
