The audio system features a left-right hang of 16 JBL VTX V25 line array loudspeakers per side, with six VTX S28 subwoofers per side in cardioid configuration. For side fill, VER has supplied supplying eight V25 loudspeakers per side, along with six G28 ground-stacked subwoofers per side. Powering the V25 loudspeakers are Crown I-Tech 4x3500 HD amplifiers, with I-Tech 12000 HD amps powering the subwoofers.
"Dierks really combines country and rock together and this show is very much like a rock and roll production," said Chance Stahlhut, account manager, tour sound, VER. "At the same time, he's true to his musical roots and the country element comes through in his performances."
FOH Engineer James 'Pugsley' McDermott has been working with Bentley for approximately nine years, and on this tour is working with monitor engineer Scott Tatter, system engineer Kennith Sellars, and RF tech Ashley Zapar. "With Dierks, how it sounds on stage is exactly how he wants it to sound out in the audience," McDermott said. "He knows his crowd and he wants it to be an energetic show. He's spent a lot of time putting the show together and he keeps you on your toes as an engineer. He's the kind of client you want: someone who will push you to be as good as you can be and will make sure you're always on your game."
In his approach to mixing Bentley's shows, McDermott's priority is finding the perfect balance. "I treat this as a true rock and roll setup," he said. "I want to mix to my audience, so if the crowd is loud I want to be just as loud. I want the first downbeat of the very first song to knock people back, to be impactful and surprising. That way the people know they're in for a high-energy show. The PA and console are my instruments in that regard."
McDermott added that he has worked with JBL throughout his entire career. "I've seen their products evolve over several decades and I've spent the past five years working with every loudspeaker you can name," he said. "I've never had issues with JBL because I always know what to expect. They're workhorse products in this industry."
On the lighting side, Chris Reade, lighting designer for Dierks Bentley, uses Martin's MAC 2000 Wash, MAC 700 Profile, MAC Viper Profile, MAC Aura and MAC Quantum, all provided by Rod 'Red' Gibson of Christie Lites. The Lighting crew chief is Marc 'Chainsaw' Wuchter and the production designer is Bruce Rodgers of Tribe, Inc.
"The Quantum is a great pairing with the Viper because the output is amazing, and after I showed Reade the fixture at LDI, we immediately found a way to incorporate it into his design," said Gibson. "Reade and the Dierks Bentley tour have been great, loyal clients. We work well together and I always try to provide him with the latest products. I gave him the Auras a couple years ago and then the Vipers last year, and I'm proud to say that he is now one of the first tours with the Quantums."
Reade mentioned that the MAC Viper is a powerhouse, being extremely bright and very fast with great optics and colour mixing; it's his number one choice.
(Jim Evans)
