Hannah Blake (ClearChannel), Emma Hodgetts (ClearChannel) and Tez Sheals-Barrett (Star Hire).
Star Hire (Event Services) Ltd provided the staging for ‘Feel the Noise 2002’, a series of five Emap radio roadshows. Star Hire supplied a mixture of their mobile SS 15-12V StarStages and VT 15 stages for the event, flanked by screens on either side of the stage and triangular PA towers, provided by SSE. The tour included a variety of venues including Newcastle, Blackburn, Liverpool and Hull, for their respective radio stations.

The events, production managed by ClearChannel, featured Blue, Darius and the talented Sugar Babes amongst the artists, with Gareth Gates closing the show, much to the delight of the 25,000 strong crowd. The central stage was 15m wide, 12m deep and 10m high with a stage height of 1.8m. Each stage was constructed in its ‘Vista’ layout with screamers or 'ego-platforms' extending in front of the screens which were set back to improve audience sightlines.

In addition to the stages, Star Hire supplied its new Clearspan front-of-house tower and a wheelchair user’s platform. Star Hire’s project manager Tez Sheals-Barrett commented: "The vista format of these stages really suited the shows, allowing better sightlines for the young crowd and the informality of the roadshow. The production team for these shows have all worked together before, meaning problems could be sorted out quicker and the sites have been a pleasure to work on."

John Probyn, ClearChannel Event’s production manager for the shows commented: "Tez and the Star Hire team have worked with us excellently on this series of events. The stages looked great with each local radio station’s branding, and the short load in times helped the smooth running of the radio roadshows this summer."

Power for the event came from Pearce Hire, who supplied a twin pack of 250kVA synchronized generators, powering lighting, PA and screens on the stage. A number of supplementary generators were provided to serve other parts of the event, including the production offices, traders, artist liaison and hospitality marquees. Pearce Hire also provided the lights for the stage.

(Lee Baldock)


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