Tour: David Gray Tour
Tour Dates: The tour started April 2014 in North America, visits U.K. and Europe Nov-Dec and returns to the U.S for radio promo shows in December. Might go to Australia in 2015.
Working with David Gray: “David leaves it to me; we videoed the show so David knows what (lighting looks) will happen when. He trusts me. He may tell me to make a song moody or dark, but nothing specific. It’s a modest rig we’re carrying and it’s all programmed to be more of a theatre show.”
Lighting Philosophy: “Use what fits and what’s appropriate for the show. Figure out what the vibe is and satisfy it. Innovative lighting design is my passion.”
BACK STORY
Home base: Brighton, U.K. “Because I have a family, I live outside of London but schedule meetings several times a week there.”
Years in the Industry/With the Band: Since 1992/April 2014.
What Inspired You to Get into Lighting?
“I started as a DJ working with a friend who owned, and still owns, a lighting design company — Colour Sound Experiment. He was doing lights at a rave. He asked me if I wanted to try it. Some raves had live bands. That is how I met Orbital, and it went on from there. People heard about me, and I kept busy working.”
First Industry Job: “I worked with an ambience trance artist, Banco de Gaia, then went on to Orbital.”
Heroes/Mentors: “Chris Craig, who used to design The Orb, and Ian MacEwan, former designer with The Prodigy. [Also inspired by] Patrick Woodroffe, Paul Normandale and Durham Marenghi. They have the large budgets and do some amazing things.”
What Do You Like About the Industry:
“I like meeting touring people. Working in different venues makes you tweak the show to adjust to the space, and that keeps the design fresh. I like the camaraderie in the music biz — it’s like-minded people who get on together. Days off with buddies in far-off locations from your normal day to day gives you different inspirations you never would have gotten otherwise.”
Range of Projects:
“I enjoy a spread of different work — fashion runways, music, corporate shows — and I draw on what I learn from all of those, such as London Fashion Week, Burberry, launch of a cruise ship, the fashion show and parties for the brand SuperDry, which is a big brand in the U.K.”
Awards: Knight of Illumination Award in 2008.
Words of Wisdom:
“Work for people you’re more suited to. Realize where your strengths lie and go after it. If you don’t like heavy metal, then don’t tour with Rammstein, or it won’t be fun, and you won’t be doing your best, and nothing travels faster than bad news. Be as professional as you can and do your best. There are always 100 people in line willing to fill your shoes.”
