Gawler's original basic over-stage rig concept which started the tour in October 2008 utilised 30 BB4s, with six units rigged horizontally onto each of five steeply raked upstage/downstage 'finger' trusses. These were attached via custom brackets fabricated by lighting suppliers PRG, and are utilised to produce a general stage wash.
When the summer 2009 stadium shows appeared on the itinerary an extra finger truss was added over the stage, making six in total, along with another six integral BB4s now rigged in vertical pairs, a nod to the eight light Molefey format.
The other 12 BB4s from the original rig are still there - mounted on six 4ft high vertical poles, three of which are positioned either side of the stage in boom positions, shooting directly across the band. A further 8 BB4s have been added to the downstage edge, to provide some foot-lighting, the low profile of the BB4 enables the unit to stay concealed in both positions.
The majority of the extra stadium show BB4s are hung in pairs on custom soft ladders, built for PRG and suspended in front of the stage PA wings and delay towers.
Gawler originally spec'd BB4s because he sought a colour changing wash light offering an even spread of high quality light, not too beamy and that was a less energy-hungry alternative to conventional 4-lite fixtures. "They are reliable, efficient and make good colours. I also really like the homogeneity of the light sources and the smooth and even output," he states.
Gawler is operating the show on a Hog 3 console, which is also driving (for the stadiums) two Catalyst digital media servers (one for the standard show), running the playback video content and running camera cues on a Barco Encore via MSC and Richard Turner.
(Jim Evans)
