Ably lit by LD Chris Rigby, Aurora shipped a suitably rocking lighting package to the Maidstone Studios for this, the 46th series of the BBC flagship music show.
Show one alone featured a line up worthy of any festival date, including the newly reconvened Blur who were last on the show 15 years ago. Other acts featured on the bill include English singer-songwriter Laura Marling, London foursome the Vaccines and Mali punk blues outfit Songhoy Blues. Singer/songwriter Marc Almond also joined Jools for the customary chat at the piano.
All eight episodes promise an equally classically eclectic line up of leading purveyors of quality music from the past, the present and the future.
Recorded in front of a live audience, Later is a proper rock and roll affair requiring over 100 automated heads and 50 LED fixtures spread over four stages. Renowned for the quality of performance on display, Production looked to LD Chris for a crisp, artistic feel with subtle colour changes and minimal movement so as not to detract from the music.
To help achieve various looks and to maintain the flexibility required to compliment an almost infinite variety of musical styles, the main rig features Vari Lite VL3000 and Martin MAC 575 spots. However, newly added for this series, is the versatile Martin MAC Quantum Wash - sourced specifically to fit with the Aurora commitment to seeking out energy efficient solutions that meet guidlelines laid out in the Albert sustainability programme.
Elsewhere, Martin MAC Aura Washes and Rush PAR 2's have been added; both fixtures featuring identical colour palettes, making life just a little easier for moving light programmer Theo Cox.
And for a spot of final detail, Chris added a personal favourite, the iconic Clay Paky Goldenscan HPE for that classic 'ice cold' HMI beam which more modern fixtures still struggle to match. These are used to 'side key' the acts, creating a distinctive edgy look.
(Jim Evans)
