TOUR: Bon Jovi’s Because We Can Tour
GIG: Lighting Director
TOUR DATES: Through Oct. 25, 2013
INNOVATIONS: “Production designers Spike Brant and Justin Collie have set us up with an incredible system that lets us change the entire look of the show with a little automation programming. Having lights on high speed winches allows you to change the entire structure of the lighting rig at any given moment of the show.”
THE SET: “We also have eight towers with lights behind the stage — it’s amazing how
diverse you can make the lighting rig look with the automation moves. Jon [Bon Jovi] constantly adds songs to the set list. You have to continue to grow with the set list, to nurture it and improve it as it alters.”
CHALLENGES: “Focus positions. Because of the automation, we have a ton to do
every day. Focus is different depending on how the winch lowers toward the deck. So, if I have a system of lights in a perfectly symmetrical high fan at the truss level, it will look completely ‘snaggle toothed’ and messed up when it lowers toward the ground. It’s just the nature of the way the lights sit in the truss.”
Bio
From: Portsmouth, NH
Years in the Biz: 14
With Bon Jovi: Since January 2010
Career Spark: “I took dance in high school and realized that I could get extra credit by joining the tech crew. I instantly fell in love with lighting.”
Continuing Inspiration: “Other forms of art — architecture, painting, etc.”
First Pro Gig: Busta Rhymes, Boston College
First Pro Tour: Chevelle (2004)
First Arena Tour: Audioslave
Sidelines: “I do some production design work. Mötley Crüe and KISS are my main clients now.”
Other Artists: “I’ve worked with Rihanna, Jay Z, Justin Moore, The Weeknd, The All American Rejects, Chevelle and Daughtry over the past four years.”
Heroes: “Willie Williams, Roy Bennett, Baz Halpin. Also, Loz Upton, who lit the first concert I saw, in 1997 — the Smashing
Pumpkins.”
Advice: “If you’re gonna be a bear, be a grizzly. Well — that’s my advice on the golf course, anyway. I suck at golf!”
For more details on the Bon Jovi tour, go to http://plsn.com/wp/current-issue/106-online-exclusives/10991-bon-jovis-qbecause-we-canq-world-tour.html.
