For the ambitious stage lighting rig, LD Rod Clay required a dramatic backdrop to complement the band's very theatrical performance style and provide effects for the more 'epic' songs in the band's set list. Clay specified a Thomas Broadway Truss system originally racked with seven rows of 10 High End Studio Beam PCs to create a dramatic wall of light. Neg Earth Lights used custom clamps to join the truss structure, which was flown on three two-tonne CM Lodestar chain hoists. The extensive rigging was assembled by tour rigger Tony Maxwell and his team.
Due to the high profile of the tour and the scale of lighting rig being used in the arena-size venues, Rod required a very powerful console to run the show from. After considering various desks, he decided to make the tour his first outing with an MA Lighting grandMA console after being impressed by its powerful features, proven reliability and speed of programming during a demonstration by A.C. console specialist Neil Vann. Rod had full peace of mind using the desk for the first time, knowing that Neg Earth Lights and A.C. would be providing full 24-hour technical support for the desk in the event of any queries.
Neg Earth Lights supplied two GrandMAs for the show, which were synchronized via Ethernet link to provide eight DMX universes for the main stage lighting rig. Two Wholehog II consoles were also used by second operator Gavin Norris for controlling the separate audience rig, which extended approximately 20m either side of the stage. A Kinesys Elevation 1+ control system consisting of four moving Pods controlled using 20 double-braked Liftket chain hoists and Vector software, was also provided by Neg Earth Lights, and operated on the tour by Barry Branford.
Other lighting rig equipment provided by Neg Earth, much of it originally purchased from A.C., included various lengths of Thomas Supertruss, 180 Thomas Par 64s, four Robert Juliat Athos 18°-38° 1.2kW profiles, 22 Thomas 8-Lites with DWE lamps, 48 Thomas Par 64 floors, 24 ML16s, 66 Martin MAC 2000 Profiles, 32 MAC 2000 Washes, 16 Martin Atomic 3000 Strobes, four Reel EFX DF50 Diffusion Foggers, 11 Colour Scrollers, four Robert Juliat Ivanhoe 2.5kW followspots, and five Strong Gladiator 3kW followspots.
(Lee Baldock)
