Last Of The Street Survivors Farewell Tour runs from through to December
USA - Lynyrd Skynyrd’s compelling history and influence on music were never far from the mind of their lighting designer and director, Jonny ‘Tosar’ Tosarello. Designing for the group’s Last Of The Street Survivors Farewell Tour, which runs from May through December, Tosarello wanted to create a look that was as big and bold as the story of Lynyrd Skynyrd itself.
He succeeded in doing just that with help from a collection of 28 Chauvet Professional Rogue R2 Wash fixtures, supplied by Premier Global Productions.
“When you think of who Lynyrd Skynyrd is and what all the band has done over the years, you want to have a ‘big look,’ especially for their ‘farewell tour,’” says Tosarello. “We wanted something that stood out and was unique, but was also clean and simple. We have 180’ of silver truss spread out into six fingers that run up to downstage, and another 60’ for the downstage truss. Upstage there is a 40’ half circle truss that surrounds the video wall as an arch. Having rich, vibrant colours play off against the truss, using washes and toners, is definitely part of the look. Glowing set pieces.”
Tosarello, who has been working for Lynyrd Skynyrd since late 2009, relies on the compact Rogue R2 Wash fixtures to help him meet the main goal of, “Always light the band! People are here to ‘see’ Skynyrd play their favorite Skynyrd song(s) so lights are just a bonus, really. Let the band play the music and the lights play the mood.”
Flying most of the RGBW movers on downstage truss, he has them fill a dual role in his design, using them as front washes and key lights.
Tosarello also designed his rig to be flexible. “Most of our shows are in ‘A’ market venues, but even still there are those ‘more challenging’ places that could be a bit bigger or wider or whatever, but we know this, so best to be ready,” he says. “Prior to 2007 I’d spent many years as a lighting crew chief and learned it’s really nice when a rig is designed with flexibility so - this one is! I made it a point to insure everything will fit into any reasonable size venue despite most limitations."
(Jim Evans)

Latest Issue. . .