Success
has not spoiled Bayside. After 16 years, seven critically acclaimed albums and
a succession of sold-out world tours, this New York-based group remains as raw,
hungry and true to its musical roots as ever. The familiar catchy chorus breaks
and rambunctious guitar riffs that have run through the band’s performances
from the beginning are still there, but their sound has continued to mature and
change, stirring up new emotions with unexpected drum fills, cutting solos and
other nuances.
Designer
Eric Price hit a visual sweet spot when lighting Bayside’s current tour in
support of its new “Vacancy” album. Artfully deploying a collection of CHAUVET
Professional Rogue fixtures throughout his rig, he is managing to deliver
punchy, immersive looks, while avoiding heavy eye candy that could compete with
the band’s gut level music.
“Bayside
wasn\’t looking for a show full of big lighting looks; this wouldn’t be in
keeping with their approach to their fans and music,” said Price. “At the same
time, though, they wanted something that would reflect their music in an
exciting and intense way. The Rogues provided me with a great tool for doing
this, because they were very bright and had a bunch of features that let me
create some intense looks without being overbearing.”
Price
worked his magic using six Rogue RH1 Hybrids and an equal number of Rogue R2
Washes, provided by JR Lighting Design of Orland Park, IL. He positions the RH1
Hybrids on 6’ truss towers along the upstage edge and arranges the Rogue R2
Spots on the stage deck.
“The
Hybrids are back washing the band and lighting the audience,” he said. “I use
them to zoom gobos that are pointed straight out at the crowd. The versatility
of these fixtures is helping me achieve some very impressive looks without
‘over-lighting’ the band. One of the things that has really impressed by about
the RH 1 is how the spot and beam modes are holding up with sharp focus and no
loss of output.”
Price is
using the R2 Washes to create some evocative aerial wash effects that change
colors and zoom angle to reflect the wide range of emotions that infuse
Bayside’s music. The impressive range of the R2 Wash (it has a 12?-49?
zoom range) has been instrumental in Price’s design.
“I\’m
using the R2 Washes on the floor because of their ability to zoom very narrow
and extremely wide, creating a mid-air cyc light type of effect,” he said.
“They’re giving us great aerial looks.”
In
addition to crediting his Rogue fixtures for helping him achieve his
well-balanced design, Prices gives a shout out to the people surrounding this
project. “Jason, Justin and Kevin from JR Lighting have given me constant
support and invaluable knowledge,” he said. “Kim Kozak has provided me with
invaluable input on my designs – plus she’s an amazing person in general.”
Price
also gives kudos to his clients for giving him “awesome songs to light.”
Indeed, Bayside has earned widespread praise for evoking powerful emotional
responses from their fans. From the looks of their current tour, the band is
also good at inspiring lighting designers too.
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