Bryan Hartley's lighting for the Trans-Siberian Orchestra's amazing winter tour, The Ghosts Of Christmas Eve: The Best Of TSO And More!, closes out Live Design's 2023 '12 Plots Of Christmas.' Founded in 1996 by producer, composer, and lyricist Paul O'Neill, the Trans-Siberian Orchestra is an American rock band that rocks the rafters wherever they perform. Hartley's bold lighting choices are an integral part of the show.
"Many people know me as the past LD for KISS, Aerosmith, Mötley Crüe, and many other names BUT now It's all about TSO," says Hartley. "This is my 24th year designing for TSO…and what an amazing ride it has been.. first of all …I LOVE MY JOB !!! I am so lucky to be ME."
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This year his lighting fixtures include Claypaky Sharpys: "I know they are old but still look amazing," admits the LD. "I like to use older fixtures for quantity."
"I have Robe Spikies, small, but I have a huge amount. First time using the GLP JDC lines...they are awesome..and the JDC 1s rocked. I also have TMB Solaris LR Flares…I saw them on the Taylor Swift tour and needed a linear LED light. Plus Ayrton Majik Pannels, PRG Best Boys, PRG Blades..and some Sharpy washes. The Vari-Lite VL3600 is a great bright LED light... looks beautiful," Hartley points out.
"All this production has to be set up from 5am to do a 3pm show and 7:30 show same day..Crazy schedule and we are always in the top 10 grossing tours every year," Hartley adds. "My design was based on a theater. The story is about a girl who is in an abandoned theater on Christmas Eve, so I have a theater marquee that the drums and keys ride on. During narrations its the theater setting, then during the songs it turns into a rock stage."
In addition, the LD employs 30 Sonic Booms, eight ZR-44s, and 3 MDG1's. "Plenty of “SMOKE” at my TSO show. LOL," says Hartley. "This is the year of Inflatables.. Airworks made me four 23 ft-high Nutcrackers, and two giant 14 ft Snow Globes. They Look Fucking Spectacular," he comments. The Snow Globe is my prize possession this Year ..It has been a Huge HIT. I have a girl singer inside singing at FOH and its so magical."
There is a duplicate design for the West Coast Camp. "Michael Keller is Looking after that," Hartley points out, as he sticks to the East Coast. "I want to say thanks to Elliot Saltzman, Adam Lind, and Kenny Kaplan for trusting me to do all these crazy designs. And all the crew on both East and West Coast Camps. Amazing groups of people. Merry Christmas to all !!!"