Reba McEntire back on the road with Bandit
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“Too many of today’s productions are more about the bells and whistles than the talent that is on stage,” said Hare. “We felt that a proper balance of production would only enhance the tremendous talent that is onstage and deliver a great experience to the audience.”
Bandit Lites supplied more than 200 fixtures, which differed from basic spot and wash lighting rigs. Fixtures included Mac Viper Profiles, Elation Proteus Maximus, Elation SixBar 1000, Elation CuePix WW4, Robe BMFL spots, Elation Smartys and Elation Proteus Rayzor 760.
“We wanted to make sure we had a proper balance of beams and texture while allowing versatility in how we used the fixtures,” explained Hare. “All the fixtures in this lighting system can be used in different ways to create many different scenes.”
In March 2020, Hase and Hare were at Venue One, Bandit Lites pre-visualization studio and rehearsal space, when Covid-19 halted live events.
“I remember telling everyone that we would be back in two weeks,” said Hare. Two years later, the two walked back into Venue One to finish the programming and finally take the show on the road. “Everyone at Bandit was great in getting the lighting rig prepped and out the door in the midst of all this chaos,” said Hare.
“It’s hard for me to comprehend this show had been completely programmed, built and ready for truck load on March 11th, 2020,” said Bandit Lites vice president Mike Golden. “Two years later, we finally got to put this rig on the road. I know I speak for everyone involved in saying it was very satisfying to finally produce this show.”
Hare’s favourite fixture is the Elation Rayzor 760 wash, making use of all its applications, from full pixel mode for “eye candy” as well as centre pixel for pin-spot looks. He even found a way to make a VL5 wash dupe, removing the centre pixel from programming to give it the dark centre, adding, “The tight powerful beam looks are perfect for making any show look massive.”
With the trim of the lighting rig high, the team had to find a fixture that could both colour the band and provide enough power to highlight band solos. Bandit suggested Elation Smarty Hybrids. Two units were placed for each band member, one in the front and one in the back. “These fixtures have proven to be a great fixture for keeping the band lit and colouring them to complement each songs colour pallet,” said Hare.
“This was my first experience having Bandit support a show I designed, and I could not have been in better hands,” said Hare. “Everyone I came in contact with was pleasant and very helpful. Having a production company that can take my drawing and recreate it in the real world is the first quality I look at when working with vendors.”
“Dave Hare and production manager Michael Anderson have been fantastic to work with,” added Golden. “The show is very polished- in every aspect. As this leg starts to wind down, we are already working on additions to the fall tour. My compliments to the entire production team as well as our Bandit crew on a beautiful show.”
