Logistics

Further to the post below - I always looked out for Edwin Shirley Trucking on any album sleeve notes and dedications.

Pleased to say they are still rock and rolling at http://www.est-uk.com and available for contract work.

Logistically thinking

Been thinking about the unloading, loading, rigging, sound checking, de-rigging, all on a postage stamp sized stage asking how we can be as together with our setting up as we are with our performance, then this came to mind – lifted from an old album sleeve – presume as much thought went into the planning as with the playing.

Daily Work Schedule

8.00am RIGGING CALL. 2 riggers start work positioning flying points from ceiling of venue in order to hang the lighting and PA speakers

9.00am LIGHTING CALL. Lighting crew and local stagehands unload lighting trucks and start constructing grids and lighting modules. Takes approx. 3 hours

10.00am PA CALL. PA crew and local stagehands unload sound trucks and position sound mixing desks. Then they start to fly the PA from the points the riggers have positioned, after which they stack the PA with a fork lift this takes approx. 4 hours

12.15pm LIGHTING CREW position the lighting mixer and test everything, then complete flying.

1.00pm. Monitors are unloaded and placed on the stage (after Marley flooring is laid by PRODUCTION CREW)

2.00pm. BACKLINE CREW supervise unloading of band gear and set up on stage. Building of the set is continued around stage equipment.

3.00pm Start monitor check, followed by backline check and PA check.

4.00pm SOUNDCHECK performed by band

5.00pm Set up support group equipment, mike up and check

6.00pm Dinner fro crew (arranged by the promoter at the hall)

6.30pm Stage passes issued, guest list to Box Office, doors open

7.00pm SHOW CALL – Necessary crew take position, final tests done

7.30pm Show starts

8.15pm Equipment change over

8.45pm IM show starts

10.30pm Show finishes

10.30pm BACKLINE and PRODUCTION break down, followed by monitors

11.00pm PA starts breaking down for loading

12.00pm Light system lowered and packed into trucks

2.00am Finish loading trucks, shower, into busses and travel to next show

Iron Maiden – World Slavery Tour August 1984 – July 1985 – 194 shows, 322 days, 24 countries, 100,000 miles, 7,778 hotel rooms, 6,292 guitar strings, 3,760 drum sticks, 3,008 guitar picks.
All we need now is some help……..

Light Fantastic #2

A pithy, contemporary and entirely pointless view of modern stage lighting life: Part 2.

Light Fantastic #1

An occasional (and entirely pointless) look at lighting life.

Dress code

Great Blogs of fire, great blogs thinks alike . Spooky that the aroma of stale blog reached my consulting room particularly as it has a staliness which would overwhelm any challenging stale intruder. Slightly nervous that this comment is inappropriate for blog and should be cast down to the lowly merit of group e mail . Would like to apologise for dress code. Enjoyed saturday but quite hard work . Also apologies for playing the lets not take the money and run ticket fully aware that sense would prevail . Sorry we couldnt use our lights. Pleasurable blogging again particularly as Basey has probably lost the skills to do likewise.

Sniff

Sniff, sniff.
What can I smell? It seems to be down there somewhere. It's a familiar smell but I just can't place it...

Aha - found it. Of course! It's the unbearable stench of stale blog.
Pass me some thick gloves and a stiff brush and I'll try and sweep it away.

Introducing a fresh new bloggy look for a fresh new season.


Now, what was I going to write?