Bandit's Lester Cobrin was again asked onboard by Production North - the two companies are regular collaborators - after working together on the very successful X-Factor tour earlier in the year, which was also project managed by Cobrin.
Since coming third on the last series of X-Factor, Journey South, brothers Carl and Andy Pemberton from Middlesbrough, have built up a solid UK fan base which has helped spawn their first - and sold out - tour. This is a testament to the wide appeal of their music. The live show is primarily rocky, up-tempo and very dynamic. It kicks off with a scorching rendition of Thin Lizzie's classic The Boys are Back in Town, and also features plenty of their own original material.
Bandit put Dave Lee forward for the job (he's also designed Westlife and Celtic Tiger for Production North) and the creative elements were left entirely up to him.
There was only one limiting factor - 18ft of truck space - into which all the lighting gear had to fit. "Designing around this restriction was the most challenging aspect of the job," he says "But these situations inevitably also force you to use your imagination". He adds that Cobrin was extremely supportive and ensured that all the right equipment was made available, prepped to the usual 'Bandit Standards' of excellence.
The rig is based around three trusses - front, mid and back - plus 14 MAC 500s and 18 MAC 600s. Other than, that gear wise, there's 50ft of upstage star-cloth, five 4-lite Moles along the riser line, two DF50 foggers, two Lycian follow spots, and a WholeHog II console.
Eight of the MAC 600s are rigged on the front truss, used for picking up Journey South and their four backing band musicians. The mid truss contains four 500s and four 600s which are utilised for cyc washes and gobo looks, both on the cyc and the forestage area. The rear truss has six of each type of fixture, and these are used for beam-work. The remaining four MAC 500s are on the floor for contrast.
Bandit is also supplying crew member Martin Garnish to work alongside Lee. They had a get in day plus one full rehearsal day before the first show at Newcastle City Hall. Lee says, "As always Bandit are doing a great job as equipment providers, and Martin is fantastic to work with."
The tour is production managed by Sarah Hollis. Sound equipment is being supplied by Wigwam, with Nick Warren mixing FOH and James Baker on monitors, and they are on the road until November.
(Chris Henry)
