Tour manager and lighting designer Chris Wrightsman evoked the double 'X' symbol within the look of the show creating a truss design of two interlocked X's. VL 2500s and MAC 2000s spread throughout the rig, providing maximum coverage and tight shots, and coupled with ACL floor bars placed upstage of the riser line, four cell mole lights in front of the riser line and four restored old time fresnels for side glow, the result was a production that was unique and memorable.
"We wanted to create a great "big arena" concert experience in smaller venues, specific to OAR, and emphasize on the band's history," Wrightsman explained.
Bandit also supplied ETC Source Fours, Martin Atomic 3000 Strobes, MAC 101s, GRNLite LED Pars and a Grand MA 2 Lite for control.
"O.A.R. plays in every size venue imaginable, usually all within the same week," Wrightsman explained. "Wednesday might be a proper shed, Thursday a festival, Friday a club and Saturday a band shell with no rigging capability. Knowing this in advance and from past years, we tried to prep as best we could, coming up with a few options so that we could still use as much gear as we could and maintain the look as closely as possible."
"I have truly appreciated working with Chris and seeing this tour come together, both up close in our Venue One facility and out on the road," said Bandit's business development officer, Brent Barrett. "Chris has a great personality, and working with people who love what they do makes my own job that much more enjoyable."
Support for O.A.R. was provided by Bandit project manager Matt King and lighting techs Teresa Fensler and Mark Scherer. "I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Venue One and working with Brent, Matt King, Andrea Bowen, Teresa and Mark," said Wrightsman.
"Overall, the crew did a great job keeping up with everything and doing it with a smile. Our unorthodox method of having the TM also be the LD is unique, so I had to trust my crew to keep things moving and make critical decisions in my absence. Once we were on the road, Teresa and Mark were terrific: both as professionals and people. I can't wait to do it again."
(Jim Evans)
