Lighting Designer Eric Price checked in near the end of the U.S./Canada headlining tour for punk rock band, Alkaline Trio, which celebrates its 30th anniversary. Describing the general concept, Price explains, “The idea for the design was to embrace basic color combos and different levels of intensity. Lots of solo spots, full red or blue looks and drawn-out positions/cues.” He adds that he focused on “minimal movement effects with stark contrast of bright and dark.” The tour used three pre-rigged lighting carts to represent the three members of the band, he explains.
Satriani/Vai & Fadden
Jamie Fadden has taken on several roles with guitar legends Joe Satriani and Steve Vai on The Satch-Vai Tour, which runs March to May. “For this run I am Designer, Director, and Programmer for both Steve Vai and Joe Satriani. I have an awesome Lighting Tech out with me named Greg Kunit. Via’s drum tech, Chris Uber creates and runs all of Steve Vai’s video content and I run Joe’s using Resolume and triggered via my lighting desk. I have also taken on the challenge of creating a couple of new videos for Joe this run. “Surfing with the Alien” and “Blue Foot Groovy.” This was my first time creating content for a live show.” Fadden says Vai’s set opens the show, followed by Satriani, and to end they jam “Bluefoot Groovy” (a new song that they wrote together), followed by two covers where the keyboardist sings.
Hootie Summer Camp Tour
Kevin Northrup continues to tour with Luke Combs this year, with the new run that kicked off in April. At the same time, he and Will Lowdermilk, his business partner in Silver Bullets Design, are collaborating on a project. “He’s the long time Lighting Designer and Director for Hootie & the Blowfish as well as Darius Rucker,” Northrup says. “He and I are actively working on the design and programming for Hootie & the Blowfish Summer Camp with Trucks Tour.” The tour starts May 31, running through the U.S. and Canada with guests Collective Soul and Edwin McCain.
Ravitz, Ringo & The Boss
Ringo Starr and His All-Starr Band start a small residency in May at The Venetian Theatre, Las Vegas, and then continue for another month playing various U.S. dates and a Mexico City show. Says longtime designer Jeff Ravitz, “This show is lean and mean and carries only a small kit of necessary lighting gear and some scenic elements for this upcoming run, since many of the venues have very complete in-house systems.” Greg Classen returns as the touring LD.
Another longtime Ravitz client, Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band, have relaunched their world tour after recent prep and rehearsals in Phoenix, AZ. “The lighting system design remains much the same as last year’s version, with minor tweaks and cueing refinements,” he notes. Todd Ricci, Brad Brown, and John Hoffman run the four-hour show under Lighting Crew Chief Hadyn Williams.
Ravitz also recently played the role of Webcast Lighting Consultant for April’s Coachella and Stagecoach festivals for year 10—minus one year for the pandemic cancellation. “The worldwide audience keeps growing and the camera package is more sophisticated than ever to show these performances around the globe,” he says.
Hartley’s Fun Year
Bryan Hartley’s full calendar spans the globe with tours where he serves as Production Designer as well as Lighting Director. “In March I was in Australia with Lamb Of God, then April with Megadeth for the month in South America,” he notes. “Then May, June, and July I start my Five Finger Death Punch tour of Europe, with the U.S. run from August through October. And finally, Trans-Siberian Orchestra ends the year for November to December. A busy, but a fun year ahead!”
Childers, Songz, & New Child
Drew Mercadante of SUPERVOID updates his last couple of months. “We are finishing up designing/programming stage visuals for Tyler Childers’ Mule Pull tour. We recently created stage visuals for Lil Tecca’s Hvn On Earth Tour, as well as Trey Songz’s Love Hard tour. My wife and I also managed to find time to welcome our first child, Jack, a few weeks ago. I was on my laptop finishing up visuals for Trey in the hospital room the day after he was born. Never a dull moment!”
A Helping Han
Han Henze again serves as Lighting Director/Programmer for Allen Branton on PBS Caverns Sessions 2024 in Pelham, TN. He recently returned to Austin, TX as Lighting Director and Key Light Operator for Tom Kenny on the live broadcast of the CMT Music Awards and a CMT Crossroads taping, both on an outdoor stage at the University of Texas Tower. “Later this summer, I’ll help Tom again on NHL Draft in the Las Vegas Sphere,” he adds.
Sublime with Lainey
Tony Caporale of Infinitus Vox gave Sublime with Rome a fresh design for their farewell tour, which kicked off in late April with Alex Rodgers directing. Next up: programming Lainey Wilson’s Country’s Cool Again tour, collaborating with Raw Cereal and Tribe Design, with the kick-off on May 31.
New Cues
- Chris Stuba hit the road as Lighting Designer and Director for The Black Crowes’ Happiness Bastards tour, which started in April and opens for Aerosmith’s Peace Out Tour this fall.
- Ethan Weber returns as Lighting Director for the Rolling Stones’ new Hackney Diamonds 2024 tour, which launched April 28 in the U.S.
- Landon Bloss is out with Billy Currington, trading in his six-year Lighting Director hat for a new one as a first-time Production Manager for the country artist. “I hired Drew Hornback as LD. He’s killing it!” The tour started in late April, hitting U.S. amphitheaters into July.
Share your news with Debi Moen at dmoen@plsn.com
