Radio 1 has been at the fore of the live broadcast events since their pioneering days with the Radio 1 Roadshow. However, ‘Smiley Miley’ and co wouldn’t have recognized the gargantuan stage and state-of-the-art production seen at this year’s series of One Big Sundays. This year Radio 1 promoted four live events, developing a new format, larger-scale production, to ensure the enormous crowds the events attract could enjoy their top pop stars.
Star Hire supplied two systems to match the different production requirements of the events. "There were two distinct production requirements across the four shows due to the artists on the bill," explained Star Hire’s Roger Barrett. "We used the two different stages to keep build times and costs to a minimum where possible for the client, whilst maintaining the same aesthetic appearance at all venues." In Ipswich and Falkirk, Star Hire supplied a Vertech VT-15 stage, specially adapted to suit the festival format with PA and screen wings. In Swansea and Leicester the larger Vertech VT 20-15 constructed stage provided the additional production space required by the live artists. This stage featured the latest design tweaks of the Vertech system to provide even better weather protection, especially for the extended and fully enclosed video wings. The stage also incorporated Star Hire’s revolutionary new flooring system and ‘extended extreme’ camera jibs. Star Hire also provided the additional site structures including its new Clearspan front-of-house tower, camera platforms and wheelchair viewing platforms.
The sound for Radio 1’s One Big Sundays was supplied by Britannia Row, with LSD providing the lighting, designed by LD Arturo Ollandini. Video production was managed by Black Pig, with an on-stage screen from PSL, and a further three screens supplied by Screenco, whilst all the rigging elements were performed by Star Rigging.
(Ruth Rossington)
