ESS built the main stage, a major undertaking since the sightlines needed to be kept clear to the Colloseum, yet it had to be capable of carrying the 60 tons of flown equipment. Big screen specialists Screenco meanwhile, joined forces with Nocturne Productions - the tour’s contracted video production company - to provide an inventory of 25mm LED displays, which were staggered down the Via dei Fori Imperiale in front of the famous landmark.
The former Beatle played for almost three hours, and for the majority in the audience, their main contact with the legendary performer was via the five 18sq.m screens, the stage action being relayed to the Screenco displays via Nocturne’s production unit.
ESS also built a structural bridge across the Fori Imperiale, which acted as a giant ‘riser’ for the lighting control and audio mix positions. An Icon desk and Wholehog II ran what was principally an LSD/Vari-Lite/Martin rig, whilst the sound set-up was based around the L-Acoustics V-Dosc system.
The night before, McCartney had played an benefit concert inside the Roman Forum for 400 people, with fans paying up to £1,000 per ticket. Profits from the performance were donated to Rome’s archaeological offices and to Adopt-a-Minefield, the anti-landmine charity supported by McCartney and his wife, Heather Mills.
This is one of two ‘specials’ Sir Paul McCartney has staged during his tour - the other took place in Moscow’s Red Square on 24 May.
