Summit has already taken on Kate Smith as a dedicated administrator for all the O2 business, and will shortly announce the appointment of a new project manager. Summit's Jon Bray comments, "Obviously we're delighted with this result and appreciate all the hard teamwork that's gone into achieving it. We look forward to working with a venue of this calibre."
Summit will be responsible for the provision of all rigging services within the O2. This will involve liaising with incoming productions, interpreting their requirements and designing the best solution to offer the facilities they need to stage their show. This will include planning, plotting and signing off rigging plans and ensuring that shows are installed safely and in good time. "The idea is to make visiting the O2 as smooth and efficient as possible for everyone whatever the size of their show," says Bray.
Summit is also involved in writing a Safe Working Practices procedure and Code of Practice to be implemented throughout the venue. Part of this will involve instigating rescue procedures, and co-ordinating a training schedule for the riggers working there under Summit's control.
Summit plans to introduce a core group of approximately 10 Rigging Supervisors - hand picked from the most experienced industry individuals - who will be responsible for the installation of shows on site. They will liaise between AEG, The O2 technical staff and the individual production, and control all riggers working in the roof and on the ground, ensuring safe working procedures are applied throughout the process.
Two Rigging Supervisors will work the larger shows - one based in the air and one on the ground.Summit is also sourcing equipment for the venue, and will be advising on and supplying specialist kit as required. The first rock concert in the O2 was the venue's own Premiere Party featuring Basement Jaxx, the Kaiser Chiefs and Tom Jones, followed the next day by Bon Jovi. So far the most complicated rigging plot to be dealt with was for Justin Timberlake's in-the-round Future Sex/Love Sounds tour, which required approximately 90 points, and went very smoothly.
Other recent visiting artists have included Keane, Snow Patrol, Barbara Streisand and the Scissor Sisters, while Prince has just started his run of shows and the Rolling Stones are imminent.
(Lee Baldock)
