Bandit Has The X-Factor Again

Bandit Lites UK supplies lighting production and crew to its fourth consecutive X-Factor Live tour for Production North. It is the longest X-Factor tour to date, playing multiple shows in several cities as public demand for the post-TV series spin-off continues to grow. Ensuring all things technical run smoothly is production manager, Sarah Hollis.

Bandit UK Chief Executive, Lester Cobrin says, "It's great to be back with X-Factor and working with Production North continues to be a pleasure. I’m thoroughly looking forward to the collaboration of two fine organizations.”

Tellson James is LD for the first time on an X-Factor tour. Having lit the X-Factor 2006 winner, Shayne Ward's first solo tour last year, James knows the style and look the show requires, which is to resemble the slick dynamics of TV and also be versatile and flexible enough to give each of the 10 artists their own unique visuality.

The set is designed by Production North's Iain Whitehead, and the show features a strong and consistent lineup with the music showcasing a distinctly contemporary edge. The show kicks off with a rousing rendition of "We Will Rock You" from girlband Hope, and continues at serious pace, with all performers backed by the 'house' band.

The lighting rig was based around a 50ft wide by 20ft deep box truss, flown above the front third of the stage, plus a mid and a back truss over the stage.

The moving lights consist of 28 Martin Professional MAC 2K Spots, 20 MAC 600s, 6 MAC 500s and 16 High End Studio Colors, distributed between the trusses and the floor. These are designed to distribute an even wash coverage across the stage and plenty of beam dynamics.

There are six 8-lite Molefeys rigged across the front edge of the front truss for audience illumination, and two more behind the centre stage video screen-which splits apart for stage entrances. Fourteen JTE PixelLines dress and outline specific set elements. Approximately 45 Raylites are integrated into the set. Bandit is also supplying 5 Lycian 2K follow spots.

A WholeHog II console is used to control all lighting. A Catalyst digital media server sends video content and effects to two of three onstage video screens. The server also supplies a border-style MiTrix banner along the front truss, which is used for a scrolling text tickertape effect introducing each artist.

There was a short production rehearsal period at Lite Structures in Wakefield and a pre-production day before the first 2 shows in Belfast Odyssey Arena, so James had to work quickly and precisely on programming the show.

“As always, the kit came immaculately prepped from Bandit” he commented. “The speed with which we could rig these initial shows all helped claw back time for programming.”

Bandit crew for this tour includes Steve “Stona” Rusling (crew chief), Martin Garnish, and “Jam” (James Such).