Lighting and video designer Benoit Richard used Bandit on Dream Theater's last tour in 2002, and was keen to continue his working relationship with the UK office. Tennessee Bandit Lites Inc will be looking after the tour in other territories. With 55 potential songs to choose from - 'Change of Season' currently being the longest at 23 minutes - and a different three-and-a-half hour set list each night, it was important for Richards and video design associate Robert Baldwin, to have a fluid, organic and flexible show at their fingertips.
Three LED video screens define the upstage area, Richards has designed the lighting rig to complement and contrast with the video images running throughout the performance. Cues for both mediums are controlled via a Wholehog II console triggering two Doremi hard drive video servers in addition to addressing all the lighting fixtures.
Lighting wise, Richards opted for simplicity in looks and colour treatments where possible. Large, bold, sweeping beams, and vivid blocks of colour, each designed to integrate with the video looks. With such a maverick set, it would be easy to start repeating oneself, and so an essential element of the show's visual dynamics is devoted to ensuring this doesn't happen!
Richard's core moving light fixtures are Martin MAC 500s and 600s. He uses five Cyberlight Turbos for spotlights, remote controlled from the desk. The three picking up the downstage musicians - singer, guitar and bass - all follow their targets using a Wybron AutoPilot system, which has a personality embedded in the fixture library of the Wholehog II. Other fixtures include four-cell Molefeys with ColorRam scrollers, Martin Atomic 3000 strobes, and Source Four Pars on the front truss for key-lighting. There's a solo floor light for "evil up-lighting" of the lead singer's face, and two DF50 foggers.
Bandit UK's crew in Europe were Ian Lomas and Rob Starksfield. Dream Theater's lighting fixtures are rigged across three trusses. Ian Lomas also undertook the show's rigging in Europe, which ran to nearly 30 points including the screens (supplied by CT Screenco) and PA (Brit Row). FOH sound engineer is Nigel Paul, monitors are run by Dave Tobias and production manager is Ray Amico. The tour continues around the globe throughout 2004.
(Sarah Rushton-Read)
