After more than 40 sold out headlining shows in 2023, country music superstar Jason Aldean extended his Highway Desperado Tour with a lighting system from longtime vendor, Bandit Lites. Named for his 11th studio album, the tour showcases Aldean’s Grammy-nominated, Multi-Platinum talent as he shines a light on small-town America, love and heartbreak. With a tour entitled Highway Desperado, Lighting Designer Matthieu Larivée of LUZ Studio wanted to avoid LED and instead focus on warm looks. “The start of the design was the band layout and riser fascia,” he said. “I like to get bright fascias for the focus of the band and the background of the pictures for socials.”
Larivée sought fixtures that would be able to provide color washes as well as dynamic effects (noting the high-octane nature of Aldean’s concerts). Bandit Lites supplied more than 250 fixtures including Ayrton Khamsin-S, Chauvet Maverick Storm 2 BeamWashes, Chauvet Color STRIKE M, Elation CuePix WW2, Elation CuePix WW4, Elation KL CYC L and GLP X4. Bandit also provided 260 feet of Tyler Truss, 8 FlexRax, a FollowMe System and two grandMA2 Full consoles for control.
“The fixture selection by Matthieu has been nothing short of amazing,” said Bandit Lites Client Representative Allen Deneau. “The use of the Stike M’s behind the fascia as well as in the air really creates so many looks throughout the show. Having them behind the fascia and not always used plays a huge part in keeping the lighting fresh. The Khamsins are always a favorite as well but the use of the Strike M’s and the Storm 2 BeamWashes really drive the show.”
“The main aspect of this design is the band riser and there are a lot of fixtures within each riser; therefore, we needed rolling pods that would set up easily for a mix of festival and tour dates,” said Larivée. Deneau added, “One of my favorite things about this show, besides our Bandit crew, is how video and lighting don’t fight for prominence all night long. Those two elements play in perfect harmony and create an atmosphere of sheer entertainment.”
Bandit Project Manager Don Lockridge and Vice President of Production Diz Gosnell suggested using Bandits FlexRax, preloaded with the fixtures in place so that they were truly wheel in, plug, and play. “The speed, accuracy of placement and general fixture health are all major factors in this method of deployment where it could mesh with Matt’s design,” said Diz.
Arrays of Chauvet Color STRIKE M with a special graded fascia in the front obscure the actual fixture coupled with a unique graded steel material that created a refraction of lighting cast a signature look. STRIKE 2 blinders aligned on top of each band member complete the home look of the show. “We also used the Ayrton Khamsin for the overhead lights,” said Larivée. “They are very flexible to create aerial looks or stage wash. They were also bright enough to match the video wall. The fun part was really the Color STRIKE M shining thought the grated fascia because a simple pixel chase effect was looking so different than a regular pixel chase; the refraction of light was really unique.”
“When you see the entire rig just sitting there, it’s impressive, but unassuming until it comes to life,” said Deneau. “At that point, your world changes and for the next 90 minutes you’re taken on a visual journey. Let’s not forget the amazing video content that plays so perfectly well with the lighting rig. The programming and content match Jason’s energy perfectly: When he’s tearing it up, the lighting is right there with him and when it’s time to take it down a notch, that big powerful lighting rig softens up and invites the audience into Jason’s world.”
Bandit Lites crew is comprised of Lighting Director Andy Knighton, Crew Chief Billy Willingham and Lighting Technicians Scott Wesson, Tala Bell and Justin Myers. “The production team has done an amazing job in putting this rig together so it looks amazing but also loads in and out quickly,” finished Deneau. “Our Bandit crew out there with it have been incredible each night always making sure it looks top notch.” Jason Aldean’s Highway Desperado Tour continues into the fall of 2024.
More information available at www.BanditLites.com
