Carl Burnett found himself as Lighting Designer for Heart’s Ann Wilson in an amusing way. “She was looking for the guy who was lighting Robert Plant,” Burnett explains. Burnett was then the LD for the former Led Zeppelin frontman, and Wilson tracked him down through Plant’s touring production company. Before the 2019 tour with Heart, the UK-based LD was flown to Florida to spend a month at Wilson’s home—which she shares with her husband, Dean—as the artist and the LD got to know the new music and each other. So, when Wilson embarked without her sister, Nancy, on her own 2023 tour with the band, Tripsitter, she was comfortable enough to leave the lighting decisions in Burnett’s hands—and hand him the Tour Managing role as well. While it’s been busy, the artist has been fun to light, he says, as she frequently adds in unexpected cover songs to her setlist, such as John Lennon’s “Isolation,” The Who’s “Love, Reign O’er Me” in addition to a changing selection of favorite Led Zeppelin rockers.
Wilson’s Oct. 21 gig in Pittsburgh, PA was a special one as headliner for Gibson’s Women Who Rock™ Benefit Concert, a crusade to champion women in music and women’s health awareness. This event benefits the Magee-Womens Research Institute & Foundation. The tour isn’t carrying video, so Raw Cereal jumped in to support the cause with content. Cort Lawrence of Raw Cereal says, “To stay in line with Ann Wilson’s bold and vintage style, we provided some slow-moving backdrops that mixed in with the Women Who Rock branding. Carl led the way to clue us in on timing and color, but the overall goal was to provide a backdrop that didn’t distract or take away from her amazing talent.”
Lighting Design By BC
Speaking of Plant, Brent Clark of Lighting Design By BC is handing over the Robert Plant and Saving Grace UK tour to Vince Foster, while he kicks off his production/lighting design for Far From Saints tour, also in the UK. Far From Saints is a project with the lead singer from Stereophonics (for whom he also designs) and an Austin-based band, The Wind + The Wave. “It’s a great project, with a country rock vibe,” he explains. Clark also designed lighting and production for The Glorious Sons with Mike “Herk” Herkimer, who is directing it on dates through Canada.
After the Strike
Now that the Writer’s Guild strike is settled, Kevin Cauley’s California calendar is populated with live event gigs. But with his feet still firmly in the television industry, he’s now started programming The Jennifer Hudson Show, working with good friend, LD Tom Beck. In November, he programs ABC’s The Golden Bachelor: After the Final Rose series recap as well. “Thankfully things are beginning to pick up again here in Hollyweird,” he notes.
Not Reality Creators
While Jef Benjamin has moved on from Earth, Wind & Fire’s tours, he is still restless for the road. In the meantime, he’s lighting local events for the Seattle Theater Group at the Moore Theater and the Neptune Theater. “I did the lighting design for the Neptune’s renovation in 2011,” he explains. “The theater transformed from an historic movie theater to a multipurpose venue. Since then, the lighting at the Neptune has remained in the capable hands of my friend and colleague, Mark McClean, who graciously allows me to keep my skills honed covering shows. I’m especially looking forward to lighting John Waters at the end of October. It’s great to be involved with my home theater.”
His new company under construction is called Not Reality Creators. “I’m dreaming up unique, crazy ways to entertain and generate charitable funds,” he notes. “I’m not sure what the future holds. But I am still keeping my ear open to the road. It will call again.” To find out more, visit www.notrealitycreators.com.
Cut2Black Designs
Scott Cunningham of Cut2Black Designs reports in as Designer and Lighting Programmer on Russell Dickerson’s Big Wheels & Back Roads Tour and Chris Tomlin’s An Evening of Worship tour. Recent programming gigs include the ACM Honors Awards Show, CMT Crossroads with Hozier and Maren Morris, and Tyler Hubbard’s opening act on Old Dominion’s tour. He still found time for church, creating a production and set design, and programming it all over at a local house of worship.
Lite Alternative Design
Tess Falcone is running a handful of one-offs with artist Niall Horan for UK Production Designer/Lighting Designer Paul Normandale of Lite Alternative Design. The former One Direction member embarks on an international arena tour in February 2024, debuting a new Normandale design.
Michael B. Duncan Design
Michael B. Duncan designed and directed Brian Setzer’s Rockabilly Riot tour, the artist’s first live tour in four years. With the first leg finished, touring resumes in February 2024. Afterward, Duncan was off to Las Vegas for a five-show residency with Billy Idol at the Cosmopolitan’s Chelsea Theater, followed by the rocker’s headline gig at the Hell & Heaven Festival in Mexico City.
Bigtime LD
Eric Cathcart of Bigtime Lighting Design took a moment to update his current touring projects. He and David Garcia co-designed Brit rock band, The Darkness, for their global trek through mid-February 2024. Garcia is the touring LD as well. Band of Horses, designed and directed by Cathcart, has galloped its last leg in 2023 with more to come in 2024. Black Violin, with touring LD Evan Brittain, wrapped in October and plays with a new design in 2024. L.A. rock band Dogstar continues into December and beyond, with touring LD Julio Buralli operating on the first leg. Then there are always sprinkles of The Revivalists and Silversun Pickups that seem to fill all of the gaps—both designed and operated by the busy LD.
Send your touring news and holiday projects to dmoen@plsn.com for December.
