One of the most successful tribute bands, Dark Star Orchestra has been covering Grateful Dead concerts song for song, often joined by members of the original band, since 1995. Dark Star has performed well over 2,000 Dead Tribute concerts, each one as free flowing and colourful as the next, thanks to the quality of their music and some richly textured lightshows.
LD Derek Iorfida of JDI Productions in Johnston, Rhode Island upheld this tradition at the 2014 version of the annual Gathering of the Vibes, which was held at the 370-acre Seaside Park in Bridgeport, CT, about 50 miles from New York City. Iorfida used 24 Legend 230SR beams and 24 Legend 412 RGBW LED moving heads in his rig.
"We wanted intensity, brightness and colour to match the energy level of this festival, which is really a celebration of the Grateful Dead's free-spirited way of life and music, so colour and vibrancy were important," he said. "I've used the Chauvet fixtures for outdoor concerts and know that they can deliver the necessary punch. Plus I knew they had the reliability needed for a four-day outdoor festival."
Iorfida positioned the Legend 230SR fixtures on mid-stage and upstage truss, as well as on the upstage floor. "The 230's have super bright and tightly focused beams," said the LD. "We want to fill the stage with beams coming at the performers from all directions so we could create an aura of light and colour around the stage. Our client was especially impressed with the output of the 230s."
(Jim Evans)
