LAS VEGAS — The New Joint, a $60 million venue that opened last month at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, is equipped with lighting and control products from High End Systems. LD Alex Ares, pictured here, and Montreal-based Solotech worked with a gear list that includes 13 Showguns, four DL.3 digital lights with a D-Tek D-Mix Pro switcher, two Showpix pixelation luminaires and a Road Hog Full Boar console. The venue's grand opening was held from April 17 to 19 and featured performances by The Killers, Avenged Sevenfold and Paul McCartney.
“I chose the Showguns to add an edge over every house rig in Vegas,” said Ares. “They're tons of fun and their 'punch' is just awesome. After using them in the old Joint for a year, I can't be without them, and they're a part of every design I'm doing. I also went with the DL.3s to add another dimension to my rig, and I added the D-Tek switcher to give my video guy more cameras to enhance the overall customer experience. And for stability and user-friendliness, I really like the Road Hog Full Boar console.”
Ares said he misses the challenges of the original (and smaller) Joint, which closed in February to allow for the new expansion. But he added that the increased production values of the new venue are a boon for touring talent.
One of Ares' challenges was to design the rig to allow touring bands to bring in their own gear, yet still keep the house rig intact. “The New Joint still has the small theatre vibe, but it's double the size,” said Ares. “The stage is 90-feet across by 52-feet deep, and we have a full grid capable of hanging anywhere. If a tour wants to hang their own rig — which hasn't happened yet — I just raise up our in-house rig. Up next are Bon Jovi and Kenny Chesney, and so far, every tour lighting designer is using my house rig plus their floor package, which is exciting for me.”
Montreal-based architectural firm ScenoPlus designed the new 4,000-capacity venue to accommodate a wide mix of events beyond concerts — including boxing, wrestling, martial arts, corporate functions, trade shows, red carpet movie premiers and advanced screenings.
In addition to the facility's new lighting and sound system, the list of “extra” features includes four dressing rooms and a production office, a new green room, a meet-and-greet room, a full blogging station for the press, seven premiere VIP hospitality suites, WiFi access throughout and multiple flat screens for ultimate viewing.
“We had an incredible opening weekend,” said Ares. “The Killers brought the house down, and I'm still speechless by the show that Sir Paul put on. The New Joint is an amazing venue and we're going to see more incredible shows to come.”
For more information, please visit www.barco.com and www.highend.com.
