The shows started with a special gig at the Royal Albert Hall where Heart - known for the brevity and dynamics of their rock based music - was accompanied by the 67-piece Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO). The same gig was filmed for release as a live DVD.
Says HSL MD Simon Stuart, "It was an honour to be involved in a unique collaboration like this at a magical venue, as well as to supply the rest of the Heart UK dates."
The tour was project managed on the road for HSL by Lester Cobrin and back at base in Blackburn by Sean McGlone, with Lester liaising directly with Heart's production manager Dale Doucette and lighting director Gabrielle Scheff who has worked with the band in various lighting capacities since 2012.
The big challenge on this one was the fact that the RAH show was the first of a run of four on this whistle-stop visit to the UK, and because of the DVD shoot, Gabi had the additional parameter of cameras to consider in her lighting scheme as well as ensuring that the orchestra were well and appropriately lit.
The pressure was on with this essentially very high profile one-off, followed by the rest of the tour.
For this brief UK tour, there were two overhead trusses - mid and rear - each loaded with Martin MAC Viper Profiles, MAC Aura LED washes and MAC 2K XB Washes. More Vipers were upstage on the deck, used for powerful through-the-band and aerial effects.
Also on the upstage truss were strings of ACLs, and Jarag 5x5 blinders on the mid truss. There was no front truss, instead the band members were highlighted with Robert Juliat Cyrano follow spots, also from HSL, each loaded with six saturated colours.
HSL supplied a grandMA2 full size console for the tour, Gabi's desk of choice, a tool she finds "incredibly intuitive" and easy to use. "Programming is a breeze and running a show 'live' is even easier!" she confirms.
It was Gabi's first time working with HSL as a lighting vendor, an experience she's found "Wonderful - working with touring professionals with great experience who appreciate that a little local love goes a long way."
(Jim Evans)
