MAC Dependability for Pixies Reunion Tour

One of the most acclaimed acts in independent music, the Pixies, have reunited for the first time in over a decade. The recently kicked off world tour sees the band playing both festivals and their own headline shows in Europe, before hitting North America this fall.

The reunion tour has garnered rave reviews with lighting design by Paul Normandale, an industry veteran whose past lighting credits are impressive to say the least: The White Stripes, Depeche Mode, Lou Reed, Bjork, Tracy Chapman, Morrissey, PJ Harvey, Tears For Fears, Chameleons and others. Lite Alternative of the UK supplied Martin MAC 600 washlights, MAC 500 profile spots, Atomic strobes and other lighting for the show with control from an Avolite Sapphire 2000.

Normandale states that he received no brief from the band for the show, and suspects that they knew he had an idea of what they were looking for. Having worked with the band 12 years ago, he relied on his past Pixies experience to guide his designs.

"It was a pleasure to be involved," he says. "The show is not based on a set list so the song starts and then the lighting follows. There is a lot of color shading variations of white, etc. which the Martin lights do admirably."

Commenting on the reliabilty of Martin gear, Normandale says, "As it's a spartan design, it's important that what is there works." He also mentions that he sees the worldwide availability of the Martin gear as an advantage.

Crew: Mark Wade, Matt Arthur

Equipment List:
8 x Martin MAC 500
6 x Martin MAC 600
Martin Atomic 3000 strobes
10 x Svoboda
3 x 40' truss
2 x 16' Minibeam
5 x 4-lite DWE & scrollers
12 x ETC Source Fours®
7 x Omni
4 x p=pods
Avolite Sapphire