Martin has been touring regularly with Rundgren for around six years and is now out with a tower and floor specials lighting package comprising just 18 moving lights - 12 Robe Pointes and six Robe MMX Spots - plus LED video panels.
With lighting and visuals absolutely at the essence of the energetic and fast-paced show, Martin was confident he could deliver all the dynamics needed with just these few touring elements, as well as hooking in to a different 'top' rig each night at the various venues on an eclectic itinerary.
Initial phone conversations between Martin and Rundgren revealed the desire to create a melodic EDM ambience onstage, so Martin decided to create a basic set framework around the performance space with four 14ft high upstage trussing towers, each rigged with 12 x 8 mm Omega LED tiles and two Pointes on the top.
The Pointes were selected for being a "great effects light" capable of producing such a range of different looks. The Pointes also do most of the wash and spot work onstage, their sheer functionality making them "extremely efficient workhorses. Every day, when I fire up the rig, the local technicians are completely blown away with all that the light can do."
A palette of colours and looks is programmed for each song, with the MMX Spots providing quality saturated washes to match the base hues. "They are another really adaptable Robe light source," said Martin, "giving broad wash options and a really 'full' light."
The Pointes and MMX Wash beams are being supplied by Howard Ungerleider's company PDI, Inc. and Craig Mitchell from LMG.
Martin has just spec'd BMFL Spots onto the next Alan Parsons tour, scheduled for fall, 2015.
(Jim Evans)
