While fires continue to rage across Australia, PLSN checked in on some lighting designers based Down Under. Richard Neville, director/designer of Mandylights in Sydney reported in: “The fires hit our property in the mountains a few days ago, and while they went through about two-thirds of the property, we were fortunate enough to have the house saved and also some areas of dense bush land,” Neville says. “We’ve all been really busy feeding all the kangaroos and birds that have been forced out of their homes, and it’s recently started to rain so things are already looking up! Fortunately no loss of life, and only a few buildings in our community, which is much better than elsewhere in the country.”
The LD adds, “While it’s been absolutely horrific, the good news is that I think the general public is so affected [that] it’s going to actually change things. The smoke in Sydney has been unbearable for the last few weeks, and hopefully it’ll actually make everyone take notice and do something to change the circumstances that make these fires so huge.”
The fires have fueled a rash of benefit events. LD Rob Koenig is involved with the Stand Up For Australian Fires Benefit, set for Jan. 26 at The Novo in Los Angeles. “A couple of friends of mine are comedians who are organizing it and I’m helping out,” Koenig says. Warped Tour founder Kevin Lyman is a co-producer. Funds raised go to the Wildlife Warriors.
More events are in the works, such as Queen + Adam Lambert headlining the Fire Fight Australia concert Feb. 16 at Sydney’s ANZ Stadium.
Meanwhile, the Australasian Lighting Industry Association (ALIA) is putting on ALIA FireAid, asking equipment manufacturers to donate products for an online auction to benefit people and wildlife. Visit https://fireaid.alia.com.au/about.
Both Bobs “Turn the Page”
Designer Robert “Bob” W. Peterson and Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band closed a chapter on 43 years of touring together when the “Final Tour Celebrating Five Decades of Rock n Roll” loaded out one last time in Philadelphia this past November.
Reflecting on his rambles with the 74-year-old Detroit rocker, Peterson describes the end of the road as a “Bittersweet time, as this last tour was Bob and the band at their very best. The passion, joy and emotional connection Bob made with everyone who got to attend was deeply powerful. Talk about a man and his music; never more one and the same than this last time out.”
But “The Famous Final Scene” may not have played out yet. “While arena touring is done,” Peterson adds, “Bob has stated he’s available for weddings starting in spring. We’ll play anywhere as long as we can hang a mirror ball for ‘Night Moves.’”
Chillaxing with Chesney
Phil Ealy returns as Kenny Chesney’s lighting director for the “Chillaxification Tour 2020,” with preproduction starting in March and dates kicking off in April. Ealy tells us his lighting equipment division West Coast Visuals has joined forces with Greg Christy’s Brite Ideas production company, enabling Phil to now offer his client base complete lighting, video and sound support.
Refreshing Slipknot, Creating Kane
LD Trevor Ahlstrand is refreshing and kicking off the European leg of heavy metal band Slipknot’s “We Are Not Your Kind World Tour.” Lighting director Corey Stewart — new to the band on this run — will take it on the road. Ahlstrand is also designing Kane Brown’s “Worldwide Beautiful Tour” launching in February. “Unfortunately, we have not determined the LD yet for the upcoming tour,” he noted, in January. “We just did the 20th Anniversary show for the Staples Center with LD Sam DiCarlo and programmer Andre Petrus.”
Criss Angel Goes on “Raw, Unplugged” Tour
LD Josh Selander has designed “Criss Angel Raw — The Mindfreak Unplugged Tour” as an intimate, stripped down version of the magician/illusionist’s Las Vegas show at Planet Hollywood. “Criss is doing simple magic on this,” Selander says. “It’s him and his hands. No large spectacle, no levitation.” But that doesn’t mean it will be any less exciting. While they’re not carrying a lighting package, Selander has established the minimum production requirements for each venue to keep the audience enthralled and entertained with the mentalist feats, sleight of hand and moments of magic. Lighting director Michael Powers is running the show for Selander, whose other job is as an assistant professor of lighting technology at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts.
Quick Cues
LD Ben Marx is excited about working with Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke’s Tomorrow’s Modern Boxes. “It’s a constantly evolving piece of art. I get to work with some really outstanding people,” he says. The tour kicks off in March in the U.S., Europe and U.K.
LD Rachel Mullen says her January was “picking up” starting with a New Year’s show on the Queen Mary in Los Angeles, then to Coronado, CA for a corporate show, followed by The Big Easy to light Meghan Trainor at the NOLA festival.
Whether the month of March looks to be a roaring success or merely not baa-d, let Debi know. Reach her at dmoen@plsn.com.
