Twenty artists appeared across two stages, whilst 48,000 heavy metal devotees partied hard as Castle Donington was reclaimed by the new generation of rock fans. As well as protecting the bands, the 25-metre Vertech stage protected the PA and monitor system (supplied by Audio Rent), the huge lighting rig (supplied by Light & Sound Design) and gave the production team plenty of room to prepare equipment to ensure the tight schedule of 10 bands was kept on time throughout the day. The main stage area was then extended with Vertech PA towers, which flanked the stage and housed 28 tons of Clair Brothers’ PA. Outside of these were the screen supports housing Screenco’s LED screens, and creating a total stage width of 65m.
For the first time, the Vertech stage incorporated a new safety net fall arrest system installed in the roof of the stage, together with a new handrail system. The fall arrest system is located in the roof of the stage and is the preferred choice of the HSE as a protection system for people working at height, since a net installation is the only ‘passive’ system that does not require a positive action by workers to remain safe. The nets meet all relevant British Standards, being fully fire retardant, with a mesh size suitable to pass chain hooks through.
Star Hire also provided the front of house mixing tower, the disabled platform, four fire watch observation towers for the camp site and 120m of Steelshield fencing for the main arena. The second Kerrang/Radio 1-sponsored stage was a standard indoor platform stage, housed in Donington Park Exhibition Centre, adjacent to the main arena, which Star Hire also supplied.
(Lee Baldock)
