NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – American Contemporary Christian band Tenth Avenue North is on the road with a lighting system provided by Bandit Lites. The multiple Dove Award-winning band kicked off their headlining fall tour, named for their sixth full length album No Shame, in early October and features special guest Austin French and acoustic performances from Mike Donehey.
The band’s earlier lighting designs featured video walls, meaning Lighting Designer Mike Marcario needed to fill both space and moments previously occupied by video with lighting. The centerpiece of the design is a wall comprised of Martin VDO Sceptrons and Chauvet Colorado Solo Battens, both lighting fixtures that impressed Marcario for different reasons.
“Due to a few different parameters of the design, I needed to use the Sceptrons in a low channel mode without a media server,” explained Marcario. “Generally, I am not impressed with ‘macro’ channels; however, the Sceptron surprised me with how many custom looks it provided with that feature. With the Solo batten, I was most impressed by the even dimming curve of all colors; their ‘full throttle’ is much brighter than the Sceptron, yet when I wanted them to look cohesive with intensity and color they played very well together. Speaking of their full throttle, they can get stupid bright and work perfectly for what I call the ‘Atomic’ moments: the brightest blast of white light possible for big punch moments.”
GLP X4S are placed in three groups of four in the upstage truss while Elation Chorus Line 16’s supply aerial, pixel amusement and silhouette looks with two Color Chorus 12’s providing keylight for the band. Marcario refers to the workhorse of the design as the Robe MegaPointe, with six in the upstage truss and five on the floor, providing everything from backlight specials to crowd texture and aerial beam looks.
“This fixture quickly became my favorite hybrid fixture after a few days of programming, and I will be using it on as many designs as I can that it makes sense for,” said Marcario.
Marcario also programmed the rig, utilizing Bandit Lites Venue One rehearsal space, focusing on looks that match the intensity of the music while avoiding distractions and instead accenting the band, the crowd and even the lighting rig when the moment is right.
The reveal of the pixel wall stands as Marcario’s favorite moment in the show, as he bides his time and disguises the piece as a 30’ by 16’ set piece, only to blast the wall three songs in, tying the floor to the upstage truss and showcasing the cohesive rig.
While anyone can supply the lights and support gear for a production, Bandit Lites’ philosophy for over half a century has been to focus on the people, a factor that Marcario says matters to him.
“I keep coming back to Bandit because of the fantastic relationships I’ve made over the years and the quality of the product they provide,” he said. “Brent Barrett and I have known each other for nine years now and always takes great care of me… no matter how many design revisions I throw at him. Other honorable mentions are Project Manager Jimmy Hatten who has taken care of all Tenth Ave projects on the shop floor since they’ve come to Bandit and knocks the prep out of the park every time, as well as Jake Tickle, who always comes through with the technical know-how to make any design function perfectly.”
“I met Production Manager Jeremy Gifford on the Tenth Avenue North Christmas tour last year, and he has been both professional and a pleasure to work with, as has Board Operator Davi Lema,” said Bandit Lites Business Development Officer Brent Barrett, “ and I always appreciate the opportunity to work with Mike Marcario on a Tenth Avenue North production; he and I first met when he was a student at Belmont University, and we have maintained a designer/vendor relationship ever since. His ability to optimize each fixture for multiple purposes and achieve a variety of looks without needing a large quantity of fixtures helps to control crew sizes, logistical requirements and lighting expenses for his client.”
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