i-Lite Ltd

The latest Maximo Park tour was the first in the UK to feature one of MA Lighting's new grandMA Series 2 consoles - a grandMA2 light - which was specified and programmed by Glen Johnson  to run the lighting rig which was designed by the band's LD, Stevie Marr.

Johnson operated the show for the first part of the tour while Marr completed his work commitments with Die Toten Hosen, after which he took over running the Maximo tour. All lighting equipment including 1 of the grandMA2 light was supplied by Blackburn-based Lite Alternative, having just invested in two of the new Series 2 consoles. (the other grandMA2 light was supplied by i-Lite Ltd)

Johnson decided to use the desk after a demo a few weeks previously from the team at MA Lighting UK, and being really impressed - he has used MA consoles before, but not actually spec'd them onto a tour until now. "As soon as I touched the grandMA2 I liked the feel of it" he recalls, "It's neat and compact and the faders are just fantastic. They far surpass any previous motorised faders and in fact, you don't even notice that they are!". He continues, saying that the "Fine, smooth and gentle"  tactility of the faders remind him of the Penny & Giles feel - for many years considered the absolute Rolls Royce brand in the world of faders!

He's also impressed with the touch screens, commenting on their speed, saying "I think MA have really cracked it with Series 2"

Marr's design for the band continued it's characteristic hard edged rawness akin to the band's energetic performance style and music, utilising a lot of LED, white light sources and shadow-play techniques, primarily from floor-mounted fixtures on a series of stands and towers. For the newer songs, he introduced more effects and a slightly softer graphical style of lighting, primarily with effects created by 3 Martin Professional MAC 3K Profiles positioned upstage on the deck.

A further 4 MAC 3Ks were rigged at head-height for laser simulation effects, joined by 34 MAC 250 Washes distributed around the stage and on the front and back trusses, utilised for floor fills, key lights and some tasty silhouetting

Twelve 4-lite Moles, 12 Atomic 3000 strobes and 8 floor PARs behind the band were all triggered each time lead singer Paul Smith stepped onto pressure pads concealed in a light box. He used this frenetically throughout the performance as an interactive stage prop.

For shadow gags and effects, 10 Omni Foto Floods were dotted around the performance space, and a system of 48 high definition VersaTUBES was fed via a Catalyst media server.

The grandMA2 light was run in full tracking backup with another grandMA2 light console.

The rig was versatile and adaptable so it looked good - and could be fitted into - even the smallest venues on the itinerary.

Marr and Johnson programmed the video together and then Johnson used the MA Visualiser to plot the light show to Marr's instructions and style.

Johnson was also really impressed with the MA Visualiser, "I can't believe they give it away for free" he declares, adding that they have also received excellent support from MA UK and from Germany throughout the process that led to Lite Alternative investing in the 2 new consoles.

"It's done everything I've wanted it to do" he enthuses. "It's a great size, fabulous to operate ... and it just works"