KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE – Global superstar Garth Brooks wrapped up the 2019 leg of his Stadium Tour with a record-breaking, sold-out show of 85,000 people at The University of Tennessee’s Neyland Stadium. Knoxville is tenth city this year to welcome the tour following sold out performances in St. Louis, Glendale, Gainesville, Minneapolis, Pittsburgh, Denver, Eugene, Boise and Regina.
The concert at Neyland is his second show there since 2003 and comes on the heels of Brooks winning County Music Association’s Entertainer of the Year award for the seventh time. Bandit Lites has provided the lighting for Brooks for more than three decades, and the Grammy-award winning artist once again entrusted his massive vision to the Bandit team.
Brooks also gave an impromptu shout out to Bandit Lites during the concert, sharing how he has worked with Bandit “ever since we could afford lights.” He praised the crew’s work ethic, and how they’ve been with him around the world.
“You could not ask for a better company or a better group of people,” he said.
Lighting designer Dave ‘Gig’ Butzler utilized more than 600 hundred Bandit Lites lighting fixtures including Robe MegaPointes, HES SolaFrame 3000s, GLP X4 Bar 10, VL 3500 washes, Martin Atomic 3000 LED Strobes, GLP KNV Cube, Robe BMFL, Robe Robin 1200 LED Washes, Solaris Flares and Showline Nitro 510C. Three grandMA2 Full consoles provide control.
Tyler Truss crafted custom, automated pods for Brooks and Bandit loaded with Robe Robin 1200 LEDs, Martin Atomic 3000s, Nitro Strobes and Robe BMFLs that move about the in-the-round stage. Eight additional BMFL Wash beams mounted with Light Master controls act as the followspot, with each lighting aspect used in coordination with huge large video elements, to giving the stage the larger than life, stadium-sized production.
Garth also welcomed Steve ‘Moose’ Strickland to the stage, sharing how Moose grew up in East Tennessee and now travels the world with Garth’s crew. Additional crew includes Crew Chief Chuck Hastings, Terese Fensler, Savannah Harden with programming done by Aaron Swetland and board op John Hoffman. Bandit Lites Project Manager Don Lockridge provides additional support while Michael T. Strickland is the account’s client rep.
“Everyone in Knoxville was slayed by Garths performance,” said Strickland. “This event will be the event of the century and will be talked about forever. Garth came, delivered his heart to the fans, and poured out all the love he contained. Garth left it all on the field. Everyone at Bandit is indebted to Garth for the amazing shout out he gave Bandit. As great an entertainer as Garth is, he is an even better person! We love you, G.”
Shows across North America have sold out in minutes as fans clamor to experience the magic of a Garth Brooks live show. Every stadium has sold out in 2019, and this trend is expected to continue in 2020, and Bandit Lites is thrilled to continue to support one of the world’s greatest entertainers of all time.
About Bandit Lites, Inc.
Bandit Lites is a global leader in the entertainment lighting marketplace. From touring productions to fixed installations, Bandit Lites has a full staff of highly trained professionals to deal with all types of lighting needs. Bandit’s global presence will ensure seamless transitions no matter where your next show takes you. More information available at www.BanditLites.com