Lighting designer Mick Thornton worked with Bandit Lites to illuminate the psychedelic band using VL2500s, GRN Moving Washes, 2 Lite Moles, Source 4's, Clay Paky Mirage LED Panels and a Grand MA console.
"The design, like most shows, is controlled by budget and truck space," explained Thornton. "We are limited to two trucks for the entire production (half a truck for lights). My aim is to make the design look bigger than it actually is by creative focuses and creative architectural influences."
While some lighting designers may balk at creating a unique lighting design for such a longstanding production, Thornton crafts distinctive designs for each tour with different screen configurations and by utilizing different fixtures.
"I update the media content each tour and create new content prior to rehearsals," said Thornton. "The Moody Blues are a very graphic band and have a host of interesting art work related to their career. Certain tracks involve old vintage photographs of the band and album artwork plays a part."
In regards to the differing fixtures, this tour marked his first experience with the GRN Moving Wash.
"I am very pleased with look," said Thornton of the fixture. "A great beam and colour saturation makes all the difference. One gets a solid colour throughout as opposed to balancing certain colours in the 2K's."
(Jim Evans)
