For the last number of the show, all five members of the band took to the air in flying harnesses. Star Rigging had put the members of Westlife through basic training before the tour began to ensure they were safe and confident in being hoisted 30ft into the air, whilst performing.
Pete Rayel was Star Rigging’s head rigger on the tour, responsible for installing 90 rigging points to fly 45 tons of truss, lights, PA and video in the centre of all of the arenas. He explained: "The mother grid had to be positioned dead centre in each of the arenas, and the star was constructed on the floor, before we lifted it all into the air. No two arenas are the same, so there were adjustments in loading required for every show, but the show remained constant, irrespective of the venues capabilities."
Other members of the Star Rigging team included Gary Courier (deputy head rigger), Steve Armstrong, Jim Lloyd, Richard Wythes and Mil Rakit. Along with Rayel, they were each positioned on one of the followspots at the tip of the flying track, so that help was on hand for each of the band: if any part of the flying system failed, they would activate the back up system.
"Very thorough safety procedures and risk assessments have been undertaken for this show, along with training for the band and crew in rescue techniques," Rayel explained. "The tracking system has an SWL load of 250KG and all of the flying equipment is working at a safety factor of 10:1 because we’re flying people."
Production manager Steve Levitt, responsible for getting the huge technical production across Europe, acknowledged the contribution Star Rigging had made to the tour, saying: "Pete and the Star Rigging team have worked very well training and flying the boys every night and have always been very efficient getting such a large set in the different venues, even when against some very tight schedules on the European leg of the tour."
(Lee Baldock)
