The only solutions available at that time were either very expensive or very low quality. Bandit immediately set out to test a large number of various devices to determine the best, affordable option. That summer Jackson willingly served as a proving ground for various types of LED solutions. There were several immediate upsides to an all LED rig; low power consumption, endless and vivid colour varieties, and the point most impressive to the musicians - no heat on stage.
Jackson took out an all LED system in 2008 that was purely an experiment. As Buddha and Cree are also in management for Crosby, Stills and Nash, the conversation shifted to "greening" CSN as well. The rest of 2008 and all of 2009 saw Bandit working away with two very interested and cooperative acts to arrive at a solution. Bandit worked with teams from Oak Ridge National Labs and a new firm called GRNLite to develop products that were high quality, bright, feature laden and affordable. After a great deal of collaboration with the think tank in Oak Ridge a number of fixtures emerged that fit the bill.
In early 2010 Bandit Lites hit the road in the US and Europe with Jackson Browne and Crosby, Stills and Nash on two separate tours, all 100% green with LED systems. All parties were elated with the finished products and the tours are out until December 2010, showcasing the environmentally friendly, artist friendly and cost effective GRNLite technology. Both tours feature GRN PAR 3 x 36, GRN Wash 3 x 36, GRN Moving Wash 3 x 120 and GRN Batten 3 x 54.
The lighting director for Jackson Browne is Steve Comer while Jimmy Hatten serves as the lighting director for CSN. Both Comer and Hatten are elated about the new technology they have been able to utilize this year and have nothing but rave reviews for the gear.
The commitment by Bandit to be 80% green by December 2011 is a quite ambitious step, but one that Bandit founder Michael T.Strickland feels must be taken. "The future of our industry, and indeed our planet, depends on application of new, environmentally friendly technology such as LED lighting sources." says Strickland. Bandit is also working with Tyler Green Truss, Pixel Range, Vari Lite, Coemar, Martin, Robe, I-Pix, Element Labs, Color Kinetics, Phillips, Pulsar, Elation, Chroma-Q and other LED options as a part of the move to go green.
Melissa Ethridge, Shinedown, LCD Soundsystem, Blue October, Heart, Needtobreathe, Jason Aldean, Alan Jackson, Rascal Flatts, Martina McBride, Tears for Fears, Jimmy Buffett, Jason Aldean, Neil Young, Widespread Panic, Toby Keith and others have all gone partially green in 2010 with Bandit Lites.
(Jim Evans)
