Tait supplied all the staging for the tour, including a 34m wide main stage, a band riser and a 30m rounded b-stage catwalk. The Buick Electra's hood sits above the band and is made of three, cold-air inflatable pieces. The three separate pieces measure 30m in total length, and are capable of full inflation in 30 minutes. The inflatable surface has been scenically airbrushed and UV treated for the outdoor shows. It is externally lit from various lighting positions during the show, creating many different looks.
To complete the Buick's grill which sits beneath the inflatable, Tait manufactured a grill section which houses 60 custom V9 frames and custom light poles for four Impressions.
Four scenic car headlight surrounds were also manufactured to be situated beneath the Buick. The 2.5m diameter surrounds were scenically carved, hard coated and covered in chrome vinyl auto-body wrapping to provide the chrome featured on the Electra.
A four metre by two metre Bon Jovi 'Garden State' license plate with integrated LED sits across the middle of the inflatable car, adding to the scenic intricacy of the set. Atop the edge of the inflatable Buick is a metal rain gutter structure, created by Tait to move any water away from the stage when performing in inclement weather. The gutter interfaces with the inflatable roof and is scenically painted to match the silver blue of the car.
The project build took TAIT just ten weeks from start to completion; reinforcing Tait's ability to create artistically impressive, yet extremely tourable scenic structures in a short time period.
(Jim Evans)
