Bandit Provides Old Skool Magic for Tops & Temptations

Bandit Lites UK supplied lighting production and crew for Motown legends, The Four Tops and The Temptations on their co-headlining UK arena tour.

Bandit UK has serviced the account since 2004 working with New York based LD, John Bowers. Bowers started lighting the Four Tops in 2000 and the two groups regularly visit the UK & Europe and perform as this double bill.

The lightshow is designed to work flexibly and easily for both acts. This time around, Bowers opted for a completely ‘old skool’ look with a fully generic lighting rig featuring lots of PAR cans, ACLs and - naturally – some punchy and precise follow spotting.

"I'm absolutely meticulous about the rig focus," he says as he explains his philosophy of creating a ‘depth of perception’ in the rig using a very tight focus that bounces the light beams around the rig and the stage. This gives an illusion of lights moving even though it's a static system.

The flown system was based on two 40 ft trusses, front and rear, made from pre-rig and fully loaded with PAR 64s - narrow bulbs in the rear and wides in the front - plus 6 bars of ACLs. This is a very traditional and entirely appropriate approach to the job, where the two groups very much take centre stage, needing little accoutrements to add to their fabulous vocal harmonies and slick, entertaining sets.

Eleven ETC Source Four 26 degree profiles were the ‘specials’ on the front truss, and Bandit also supplied 4 Lycian 2K FOH spots.

The two acts alternate the running order each day with a 20 minute interval. The Four Tops like a bit of smoke, while The Temptations definitely don’t, so the two DF50 machines get a break during their half of the show.

This can be challenging as the beam style show that Bowers has developed for both acts relies on smoke to accentuate the lighting. "Haze is like amplification for lighting,” he comments.

Bowers operated the show using an Avolites Sapphire 2000 console which he loves. "I'm an Avo guy through and through - and this console is perfect for this show." Dimming was also Avo driven.

Bandit supplied 2 crew - Nigel Julian and Tom Crosbie. Julian has worked on the last three Tops/Temps tours and comments that it's very straightforward technically, "Although areas like the focus can take longer, other elements are a lot easier – for example, the Pars are either ‘on’ or ‘off’ so fault finding is a lot simpler than a moving light system!" He adds that there is always a very good vibe on the tour and that's why he keeps going back for more!

Bowers is really happy working with Bandit, "Lester Cobrin at Bandit looks after me really well and pays a lot of attention to detail, ensuring the gear is in excellent condition, and he always supplies top crew.”