Morgan Wallen’s touring production for the One Night At A Time World 2024 Tour exemplifies the innovative spirit and technical excellence that defines modern stage design. The use of advanced lighting fixtures, coupled with a strategic layout, ensures a captivating experience for audiences across the venue. The dedication and expertise of the entire production team have brought this ambitious vision to life, providing fans with an unforgettable concert experience.
The substage measures an impressive 152 feet in width and 72 feet in depth, housing four key performance areas. Two of these areas, each approximately 48 by 48 feet and elevated 12 feet off the ground, allow for intimate moments that bring Morgan Wallen closer to the audience, including those seated to the sides.
These areas feature scenes deeply connected to his personal history, such as a bleacher setup representing his baseball pastime for the song “98 Braves,” and a replica of his Mamaw’s house, both tying back to his upbringing. Additionally, a 108-foot-long thrust stage extends into the pit, ensuring Morgan’s presence is felt up close and personal by those in the front rows. Completing the setup is a “C” stage, designed for acoustic sessions and positioned at the far opposite end of the audience, giving those fans the opportunity to get close as well. A dedicated band riser set further enhances the performance dynamic, providing a platform for the musicians and featuring one of the most iconic entrances as Morgan kicks through a door to enter the stage.
Dominating the visual landscape is a wrap-around video wall measuring 235 feet wide and 34 feet tall. This colossal screen features rounded corners for smooth transitions and is strategically flown high as a header piece. This positioning not only allows the video content to be visible from all angles but also opens up sightlines for the audience, enhancing the overall viewing experience.
One of the primary challenges faced in this production is catering to a 270-degree audience. Ensuring that every seat in the house has a clear view requires meticulous planning and execution. The high placement of the video wall and strategic positioning of lighting fixtures play crucial roles in overcoming this challenge, providing an immersive experience for attendees from all angles. Automation is also used to open up the stage by flying behind the video wall, giving a clear view during key moments of the show.
Central to the lighting design are 84 STRIKE Bolt 1C fixtures from CHAUVET Professional. These fixtures replace the conventional blinders and act as crowd lights. They were chosen for their lightweight stature, bright punch, and weather/water-resistant rating, which made them ideal for touring productions. Positioned atop the video wall, high up in the air, they create a glowing effect for the audience. Additional fixtures are placed on delay towers, further enhancing the visual impact. The placement of these fixtures on top of the video wall frame required custom mounts, expertly crafted by TAIT, to ensure stability, optimal performance, and even spacing across the 235 feet.
The initial inspiration for the stage and lighting design was to create something bold and open for the many fans. Morgan Wallen’s strong style and his upward trend to the top of country music are reflected in the design. The lighting design remains simple, avoiding an overuse of fixtures; each light has a specific purpose, contributing to a clean and effective visual aesthetic that complements Wallen’s music and stage persona.
Raw Cereal stays on the cutting edge of new technology, using it as tools to create the best productions that tech can allow. Variable Speed Motor Hoists are used to animate many specific elements in this show, creating dynamic shapes and movement. One of the technical challenges faced was using the space appropriately with a temporary stage structure. Despite these challenges, the production team succeeded in maximizing the use of the stage to bring the artist closer to the audience, ensuring that every seat offers a memorable experience.
This production is a collaborative effort, with each team member playing a vital role in bringing the vision to life. Tyler Santangelo serves as the lighting programmer, while Zac Coren operates every show as the lighting director. Matt Geasey and Bryan Siegel assist in technical direction, ensuring the production remains streamlined. Lighting crew chief Conrad Dew and the entire lighting team make it happen every show. A special thank you goes out to Christie Lites for sourcing the brand new Chauvet lighting fixtures that play a crucial role in the production.
The design process went through many revisions, using Morgan’s last tour as a base to continue building his style and staying on brand. This thoughtful integration of lighting and video elements underscores Morgan Wallen’s music and stage presence, creating a cohesive and memorable show. This combination of cutting-edge technology, strategic design, and collaborative effort ensures that Morgan Wallen’s touring production not only meets but exceeds the expectations of fans, creating a concert experience that is both visually stunning and emotionally resonant.
For more information, visit www.chauvetprofessional.com
