NASHVILLE, TN – It was a memorable evening in Music City as Jimmy Buffett was restored to his rightful place: on stage singing about island life. As one of the first major acts to resume touring, Jimmy Buffett and The Coral Reefer Band kicked off their “Life on the Flipside Tour 2021” at Ascend Amphitheater to an even more enthusiastic-than-normal audience, which is saying something.
Bandit Lites chair and founder Michael T. Strickland was in the audience for the momentous occasion, watching as Buffett proudly exclaimed, “Fun is back!”
“Jimmy Buffett is the first major amphitheater tour out the door, and he did so in style with three sold out shows!” said Strickland. “Working with Jimmy, Charlie Fernandez, Tim Lamb, Chaz Martin and the great team on Buffett is always a blast and 110% professional. How fitting that we get the live party started with a party: Buffett style! Welcome to Margaritaville!”
While the whole of live events was shuttered during 2020, Bandit Lites and the Buffett touring family experienced a tragedy of their own, as long-time lighting designer Steve Hoover passed away unexpectedly in December of 2020. Buffett took a moment during the concert to pay tribute to Hoover as well.
With touring resuming this July, lighting designer Chas Martin has taken the helm, utilizing Ayrton Mistral S, Chauvet Rogue R3 Washes, Elation SixPar 100, GLP X4S, Showline Nitro 510C and both a grandMA2 Full and a grandMA2 lite console for control. Martin has had a long and storied career with OMD, REM, Jewel, Hugh Laurie, Tears for Fears, Dan Fogelberg, Faith No More, The Deftones, The Cowboy Junkies, Crosby, Stills and Nash and many others.
As more acts return to touring in the late summer and fall, Bandit Lites is proud to help lead the way, or as Buffett so eloquently exclaimed, “We are back to work!”
For more information about Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefer Band’s upcoming tour dates, visit https://www.margaritaville.com/tour-dates.
About Bandit Lites, Inc.
Bandit Lites is a full-service design, management and producer of live events, theatrical productions, and live shows. Bandit Lites has a full staff of highly trained professionals to deal with all types of production needs. Bandit’s presence will ensure seamless transitions no matter where your next show takes you. More information available at www.BanditLites.com