FOB's set can be as random as it is powerful, there is rarely a set list, and much of the show has to be improvisational, 'live' and hands on - making Avolites the ideal choice of console for the environment. "I have everything right there on the faders, ready to grab whenever I need it," he says.
He adds that in the US, the doors are often open at 5.30pm, curtailing the working day and reducing afternoon programming time, so here again, the D4's quick, simple patching and programming functionality is a real asset. Lighting equipment for the UK tour was supplied by Southampton based GLS who also looked after the last FOB tour here in February.
The Diamond 4 was controlling a variety of fixtures, including GLS's new Robe ColorSpot 1200 AT moving lights on the back truss - nine of them - plus four Martin Professional MAC 600s, three bars of ACLs and four Martin Atomic strobes with scrollers.
On the floor were two 8ft vertical trussing towers, each rigged with a Mac 500 on top and an Atomic strobe with scroller, plus another two 5ft truss towers topped with Mac 500s. Also on the floor was another pair of Mac 500s perched on top of the backline, and two Mac 600s at the front edge each side, firing across stage. There were also two 4-light moles hidden beneath two 'ego risers' on stage left and right. The front truss contained eight Mac 600s, six Source Four profiles and four 8-lights to illuminate the audience. The D4 was also controlling a DF50 smoker and fan, and the FOH followspots were Lycian Stark-lites. Dimming was by 48-way Avolites ART 2000 rack and one of GLS's own 54 way hot power distros. The tour was crewed by Dave Dickinson and Karen Wood, helped by Caracciolo who was a 'working LD' for the tour.
(Lee Baldock)
