Chris Stapleton’s All-American Road Show returns to the road with a stunning stage design featuring 400 Vari-Lite VL800 EVENTPAR luminaires, supplied by concert touring specialist, Premier Global Production.
Taking conceptual direction from Stapleton, Creative Director, Becky Fluke and Lighting Designer, Calvin ‘Mac’ Mosier created film-like lighting, centred around a wall of light, which comprised 388 VL800 EVENTPAR RGBA and 12 VL800 EVENTPAR WW.
The LED-powered luminaires, which offer classic styling, colour and output, impressed from the outset. Mac, who has previously worked with Prince, Tina Turner, Madonna, Lady Gaga and James Taylor, explained: “When I first saw the VL800 back in 2019, I thought it was great, so I got one and showed it to Chris and Becky and they both loved it, particularly the colours it produces. Soon after that, Chris came up with the wall of light idea.”
The show design, which uses lighting and video in the most integrated way Mac has experienced over his 45-year career, features live video content played on the 12ft high x 56ft wide screen that spans the top of the stage. Using layering and some creative camera work, Fluke is able use the screen as an extension of the wall of light.
Fluke commented: “The way the video wall sits on top, it really needed to marry nicely. We’re shooting the VL800s as a layer on the video wall, as we wanted it to really feel cohesive in that way. Certain cameras are just pointed at lights, so it feels like an extension of the lighting rig.” This is made possible by the VL800 EVENTPAR’s adjustable frequency, which can be set to exceed camera frame rates.
Support for the production has been plentiful from both Vari-Lite and Premier Global Production, as Mac explained: “When we started back up, Vari-Lite sent a tech to Premier Global and updated all the hardware and software – they’ve been really supportive. Similarly, with Premier Global, whatever you need, you get it. They give us such personal attention and take care of us.”
Premier Global Productions Vice President of Sales, James Vollhoffer said: “It’s a pleasure to supply this show and we appreciate the mutual respect and support we have with Vari-Lite. When Covid hit, we all worked together to stay on track for when touring restarted and it was worthwhile. The show looks great – Mac’s a very talented designer. The VL800 brings that retro par can look but with modern technology. It’s a noteworthy product, we’re seeing plenty of interest in it.”
The All-American Road Show continues through the remainder of 2021 and into next year, winding up at Chicago’s Wrigley Field on July 23, 2022.