Crowded House at London O2 Arena. Photo Credit Pro Joe
On Tour With
Since 1985, Crowded House has “taken the weather” with them on tour, and this year they partnered with West London-based sound and lighting company Entec Live on two major occasions.
The first collaboration was a lighting package for the festival season, where the band wowed audiences across the UK and Europe. Later in the year, Entec provided a complete turnkey solution—including lights, sound, and IMAG screens—for the band’s UK and European arena tour.
Tour Manager Rick Purcell, who has a decade-long relationship with Entec, turned to them once again to support “the band from down under.” Entec also recommended Lighting Designer Matt Arthur, for the tour. For the festivals, Matt’s design featured side lighting towers and upstage lighting, adding an intimate, theatrical atmosphere. This design evolved for the arena tour this autumn, incorporating a flown rig with shorter trusses and wise lighting spec choices from Entec’s inventory, making even the bands largest UK date at the London O2 Arena feel more intimate. “The Entec crew were fantastic and a pleasure to spend time with on and off the track,” said Matt. “I can’t thank you enough for bringing me onboard for this.”
Lighting Rig and Crew
The lighting rig included 35 Ayrton Eurus S, 25 Martin MAC Aura XIP, 14 Martin MAC Aura XB, and 26 GLP JDC1 fixtures, all controlled by a Grand MA2 Full Size console. Entec also used their Total Solutions LAD Pre Rig to streamline load-ins and load-outs. The lighting crew comprised Simon Chandler Honnor, Paul Burke, Ricardo Lorenzini, and Nick Steer, with Harvey Barker as the ground rigger across all departments.
Audio Department
The audio department provided racks and stacks for the arena tour setup, featuring 36x D&B GSL and 24x D&B KSL in the air complimented with 14x SL sub, 6x Y10P and 2x V7P on the ground. System Tech Alex Chapman utilised Entecs Direct Out Prodigy.MP and Optocore infrastructure to distribute signal from FOH to the amplifiers with the help of PA Tech JP Kearney to support Crowded House’s FOH Sound Engineer Kerry Furlong.
IMAG Video Solution
Entec was also asked to provide a turnkey solution for two IMAG video walls. They collaborated with Entec’s former head of sound, Jonny Clark—now Head of Music and Touring at Creative Technology—who assisted in designing a cost effective yet visually stunning IMAG system. Opting for Roe CB3 video walls and a full camera package over projection, they achieved a captivating display tailored for Crowded House.
Hi Matt firstly can you tell us what your experience was like with Entec and the Crew?
Firstly, if it weren’t for Noreen putting my name forward to the TM of Crowded House, I would not have had this opportunity, so I am truly grateful for her recommendation.
As an Aussie, Crowded House has always been a favourite band for both their great songs and their entertaining performances. To have a chance to design a show around their music and a unique set is a real career highlight.
I first worked with Noreen and Adam back in the early 2000’s when I first landed in the UK and I have always had a pleasurable experience when both designing and crewing for them.
This tour was no exception. From initial concept of a backdrop and 15 lights to the arena rig, they have been incredibly supportive.
The crew we had on the arena run were absolute stars! Simon Chandler-Honor as Crew Chief and all the other crew were brilliant at getting the job done….all with a smile on their faces!
What led you to your choice in fixtures?
At first, it was just me as LD + Tech, a 40ft pre-rigged floor truss, a backdrop and a console visiting numerous summer series shows in the UK.
I chose Mac XIP, JDCs for the ability to wash either the band or the backdrop as well as a few Ayrton Rivale’s, for a congo wash on the backdrop plus its wide zoom + gobos.
These are still in the show…
In the arenas, we had Ayrton Eurus as it was the fixture of which Entec had the most stocks, more XIPs and JDCs and a Robe Followspot system.
The Eurus did a lot of projection on the backdrop and cyc. The XIPs were great for backlight for the cameras and also drape work. They cut the arenas well.
The JDCs gave me coloured audience illumination for the sing-alongs, plus added eye candy to keep it interesting.
Three Robe follow spots covered the main guys down the front while the band were key-lit with more Eurus.
Top Tour Moment?
Hitting the first cue and seeing all the new Set elements come alive was very rewarding.
Touring with nice people from Entec and Crowded House.
What Advice do you have for for the next generation?
Don’t shit on the bus! Standard!
Start out as a tech (someone that can do desk is a valuable asset) and know what is involved in making a rig work.
Let a song sit…not every nuance has to be accented.
Be there for soundcheck…..a lot of interesting info is exchanged at soundcheck…arrangements etc.
If you’re lucky enough to be only the LD……pack up your desks and box your snake….It’s the least you can do on a load out.
oh, and light the band!
