Tegan and Sara lighting designer Benjamin Price was given a challenge: fit the entire lighting rig for the duo's tour into a 10-by-7-foot trailer without exceeding the 5,000-pound weight limit. The limitations put significant constraints on gear specification and ultimately helped to shape the lighting design, with an emphasis on fixtures that could serve more than one purpose.
"It meant, of course, that I needed to design lightweight and small but still assemble a lighting package capable of a dynamic show," Price said. "Ultimately it led me to the MAC 401 Dual.
"We wanted to carry a comprehensive lighting package so we could consistently evoke the same kind of energy and look to the show whether playing in a small or large venue," Price added.
Price, who designed the show for the Canadian indie band with an assist from Marc Janowitz, credited the Duals for the homogenized lens color mixing of the LED wash, fast zoom and individual LED segment control.
The tour rig includes eight MAC 401s, which are mounted on pipe at varying heights. Together with MAC 700 Profiles on flight cases, they suggest a visual arch, evoking the band's "Sainthood" concept, the title of their latest album.
For added "angelic" feel, a MAC III Profile highlights each performer for a "the-heavens-have-parted" look. More MAC 700s are located on the floor. Price worked with lighting vendor Christie Lites and account rep Peter Eady, who also provided gear for a previous outing.
"They did a great job supporting this tour," Price said. "Peter really helped me pull this together last minute. They have shops all over Canada and the U.S., which means they likely always have someone on the ground nearby," Price added.
Tegan and Sara kicked off their world tour in January and will be on the road through the summer. The tour has them playing dates across North America, Australia and Europe.
