The 2004 Turnaround tour sees a new level of presentational confidence with the band, whose streamlined 90 minute performance is divided into five sections.
Bandit is once again working with the Production North team led by Steve Levitt, Jason Danter and Karen Ringland, on this, the fourth Westlife tour. The Turnaround show was conceived by the band, (Nicky Byrne, Kian Egan, Shane Felan and Mark Feehily), lighting and set designer Peter Barnes and production manager Steve Levitt, in conjunction with choreographers Priscilla Samuels and Paula Barrett and is themed with a slightly edgy, retro, clubby, downtown vibe.
Peter Barnes worked closely with lighting operator/director Dave Lee - a Bandit regular - who was put forward by Bandit for the job when Westlife's long term LD Baz Halpin was unavailable due to other commitments. The lighting reflects the show's dynamics- from bold, brassy and rock 'n' roll to subtle and moody for the ballads. The front truss is split into two lengths to allow the central walkway for the 'in the crowd' section to lower out of the roof, and onstage are seven gently angled 'finger' trusses running upstage to downstage. Six of these feature white silk kabuki banner drops that descend for the unplugged section and which are lit with a mesh of coloured gobos. Upstage is a 50ft-arched truss, and at the back is a drapes truss complete with LED star-cloth.
The mainstay fixtures of the rig are Martin MAC 2K profiles and MAC 2K washes. There's High End Studio Colors on the front truss, used to light the six-piece band, plus four-lite Moles, Coemar Supercyc 2.4Ks and truss toners in all the fingers. Upstage of the band is a row of Pulsar Chroma Bank strips, used as fillers. The rear LED screen is framed by an elliptical truss onto which is rigged a series of Raylites, arranged in six channels - highly effective for chases and effects. There are also four old fashioned scenic street lights also controlled via the WholeHog II console and wing run by Lee.
The underside of the catwalk is lit with MAC 600s, and two 3Kw Synchrolites either side of stage also act as searchlight effects shooting out across the catwalk when it's in the down position. Bandit is also supplying Lycian FOH follow spots. The main challenge for Lee was the programming period during production rehearsals near Dublin - it was intense. He enjoyed working with Pete Barnes, finding it a stimulating learning curve, commenting that although Barnes knew what he wanted, he also allowed Lee a degree of creative input into the show. He adds, "Working with Bandit has been excellent as always - their legendary attention to details in the planning and pre-production has ensured everything is really running smoothly on the road."
Lee is joined by Bandit team-mates Ian Lomas (chief engineer), Roger Grybowicz (crew chief), Steve Shipman (dimmers) and Ritchie Flannigan (tech) on the crew. The tour's video is supplied by Blink TV, with hardware from XL Video UK - and stunning live direction by Billy Robinson. Sound is mixed by Ray Furze (FOH) and John "Grubby" Callis (monitors) with equipment supplied by Wigwam; the intelligently interspersed pyro cues are courtesy Pyro Junkies and rigging is by Star Rigging.
(Sarah Rushton-Read)
