USA - Rock band Breaking Benjamin recently wrapped their Spring tour with a lighting system from Bandit Lites. With six studio albums, two compilation albums and over 19m units sold in the US alone, Breaking Benjamin fans have come to expect consistent, powerful performances.
Bandit Lites project manager and lighting designer Craig Richter took a simple yet effective approach to the design in choosing versatile fixtures that could be deployed in multiple ways. Bandit Lites supplied Claypaky Mythos 2, Claypaky B-EYE K20, Martin VDO Sceptrons, Martin MAC Viper Profiles as well as 9 Lite Maxi Brutes.
Richter balanced the functional need of front light so the audience could see the band members once they step away from their mic stands. Additionally, when a video wall was added later into the design process, he pivoted to make sure the right fixtures would be able to cut through the wall as well as complement the content.
The result was a system that ‘delivered the dynamic atmosphere of a hard rock concert and would give the designer the artistic license to craft a cohesive and captivating light show’.
Instead of trying to make lighting truss disappear on stage, Richter defied convention and utilised silver truss.
“From there it was all about layering the rig and filling negative spaces to make it look larger than it was,” said Richter. “I wanted it to have big impactful looks, and the energy of a proper rock show, while still being able to bring the energy down and create unique moments. After that it was all about trying to compliment the music the guys on stage were making.”
Custom triangle pods immediately draw the eye with Martin VDO Sceptrons outlining the edges.
“I really enjoyed the triangle pods, it gave the system a different look than you normally see, but I have to say my favourite component are the 9 Lite Maxi Brutes,” said Richter. “They are just awesome: they give such an impact to the show when they hit, and you just never see them anymore. The band loved them as well, when they came on, they could feel the heat coming from them and it just made them smile.”
Claypaky B-EYE K20 both saturated the stage with colour while also providing eye cand and unique arial effects with its lens rotation.
“The Martin MAC Viper Profile is just a great work horse,” said Richter. “It has the output, speed, and internals that I look for when it comes to a hard-edge fixture, so it was an easy choice for me on this system.”
The Claypaky Mythos2 fixtures supplied punchy beams while simultaneously offering the option to integrate with other fixtures in the system when adding texture. GLP JDC-1 give the ever-necessary hard rock strobe light in addition to eye cand effects.
“They also can take over as a wash so that the B-EYE fixtures can leave their stage wash position and become an arial effect fixture at times,” Richter added.
