Bandit Lites provided a lighting package for indie-rock duo surfaces most recent tour. Comprised of Forrest Frank and Colin Padalecki, surfaces released their first full-length album, surf, in 2017 followed by their 2019 summer soundtrack, where the light is.
Bandit Lites supplied the floor package for the USA and Canada performances which included Martin MAC Auras and Elation Smarty Hybrids.
“When designing this package, it needed to be compact and flexible as the venue sizes ranged from 300 to 1200 capacity,” said lighting designer Wyatt Mailloux adding: “the stage size varied as well.”
Martin MAC Auras were utilized as back and side lighting with one placed behind each musician upstage and one on either side of the lead downstage. Elation Smarty Hybrids were placed mid stage and upstage on road cases, supplying a mid-air break up and creating an array of beams behind the band.
“Additionally, through ease of programming, the fixtures created a narrow beam used mostly in the high energy songs,” Mailloux added. “The Smarty’s really packed a punch and the beams cut through some venues’ higher wattage moving profiles. It is a versatile fixture that served the design well.”
With most of the songs featuring an upbeat and high energy vibe, Mailloux focused on crafting looks with layers of texture and movement.
“I use a mix of analogous colors (violet, blue and cyan) along with complimentary colors (Cyan and Magenta) to heighten the experience for their fans,” he said. “I found the Martin Auras are useful for varying color contrast when illuminating each of the performers. The package worked well for this leg of the Warm Winter Tour; we plan to expand for future dates.”
“It was great to work with tour manager Justin Collier again,” said Bandit Lites Client
Representative Shawn Lear. “Everything leading up to the roll date is sent on well in advance from Justin, making the turnkey prep a breeze. Wyatt Mailloux just killed it behind the console as his creative vision enhances the hype that surfaces bring to every show. I cannot wait to see what they have in store for us next time.”
“Thank you to Shawn Lear and John Cameron Carter for quick communication throughout the process and especially on the road when we were in need of technical services” finished
Mailloux.