Lighting designer Paul Hoffman utilized a lighting package provided by Bandit Lites for the two night, sold-out event, where the first evening featured selections from Widespread Panic's albums played in chronological order, while the second evening boasted guest appearances by Love Sponge String Quartet, MegaBlasters Horns and McCrary Sisters.
With the band's annual Tunes for Tots benefit concert taking place on 29 December in Nashville's historic Ryman Auditorium, and the arena not being available for a production day prior to the first show at the arena, Hoffman used the framework of the existing fall touring system with many additions.
"There's always a time crunch on these end-of-year shows," said Hoffman. "Lots of things that have to happen in an extremely compressed timeframe."
Bandit supplied the complete lighting package which consisted of Chauvet 6.9mm video, Martin MAC Vipers, Bandit 5x5s, GLP X4 and X4S, Robe Pointes, Martin Atomic 3000 Strobes, Elation 2 Lite LEDs and expansive trusses out into the audience. Robe BMFLs were added behind the band, while 1 x 60" and 4 x 30" mirror balls glittered in the air.
"Paul is a real master at realizing what is feasible with the timetable given to him," said Bandit client rep and production director Dizzy Gosnell. "Without a load-in day at the front end, we had to steam into the full Monty the morning of the first show. Mike Smith, Panics production manager, is really on top of things with advanced notice of potential issues, so we were not at all blindsided by issues in the compressed timeframe."
"Bandit really hit it perfect this year; not even small hitches," Hoffman shared. "Diz was wonderfully tolerant of my piecemeal approach to getting it all done in time and the crew of Andy French, Wayne Lotoza, Chas Albea and Jimmy Murray did a superb job of getting it all in place quickly and with minimal hassle."
Bandit Lites prides itself on efficiently executing quality events, under all circumstances, a feat that was definitely accomplished this New Year's Eve. "To compound the logistical issues, Bandit had 10 separate events, using over 1100 moving lights in six more semis with the massive downtown Nashville New Year's Eve event, oh yeah, in the rain too," explained Dizzy.
"Adding Panic's system to the mix meant everything had to be nailed down well before Christmas so that our crews could get some family time between Christmas Day and New Year's Eve. Nashville project managers Don Lockridge and Matt King and the shop crew worked miracles and moved mountains to get everything dovetailed together for both projects."
(Jim Evans)
