HITCHIN, U.K. – Brilliant Stages noted that it had been actively involved in the production of three of the top five tours tallied by Pollstar for 2010: AC/DC (#2), U2 (#3) and Lady Gaga (#4). The company provided a summary of its activities in support of each tour. AC/DC's Black Ice Tour
This tour originally kicked off in 2008 and marked the first appearance of the band for eight years. Brilliant Stages designed and manufactured the infrastructure for the focal point, the ‘Rock ‘n' Roll Train.' Conceived by Fisher Studio's Jeremy Lloyd and Mark Fisher, the life-size steam train incorporated lighting, pyrotechnics, smoke, C02, headlights, a brass bell and deployable, light-up devil horns, not to mention concealing – and then supporting – a huge inflatable known as "Rosie."
Totalling 6,000kg, the locomotive could be pushed up and downstage by only two stagehands and took just three people to rotate it to its show position.
The train kept on rolling through to 2010, refreshed and with a header added for the culminating leg of the tour. It was designed for touring needs, ease of handling and, in this case, with all parts fitting into carts suitable for trucking and upper deck air-freight.
U2's 360° Tour
This tour caused the biggest stir for many years amongst audiences and industry professionals alike with the sheer scale of its design and construction. Pivotal to Mark Fisher/Willie Williams' now-famous "Claw" was Brilliant Stages' fabrication of the central spire or pylon. Fifty meters high and loaded with 34 PRG Icon 2 ‘Bad Boy' moving lights and two 600mm mirror balls, the pylon needed to withstand the rigors of touring yet also be easy to erect and transport. The final design was constructed of 19 2.4-meter-high sections fabricated from high grade aluminum and high tensile steel to extremely high tolerance for accurate assembly.
"We all feel that Brilliant Stages really did do a brilliant job on the pylon," noted Jake Berry, tour production director. "It is very user friendly and extremely efficient in the way it goes together, both for fit up and breakdown. We were very happy with the outcome."
Lady Gaga's Monster Ball Tour
In January 2010, Brilliant Stages was approached by Leroy Bennett and Peter Aquinde to supply part of the staging on an updated version of Lady Gaga's Monster Ball Tour. With a delivery deadline of less than six weeks, it tested Brilliant Stages' ability to react to tight deadlines.
Working alongside Andy Edwards of 3D Design, Brilliant Stages produced two telescoping towers and stairwells. Each tower has a footprint eight by seven feet to fit within the mainstage and extends on two levels, from 11 feet to a total raised height of 26 feet. When extended, the Towers are comprised of ground, first and top floors to provide performers with multiple dancing platforms. The Tower operation is carried out by manual electronic control to multi-reeved winches mounted within deck levels. "Brilliant Stages managed to successfully meet the demands on time and on budget," said Brilliant Stages' Tony Bowern.
For the record, also included in Pollstar's Top 50 Tours 2010 list were Roger Waters (10), Muse (13), Pink (20), Rammstein (24) and Simply Red (50) tours, all of which received the Brilliant Stages' support.
"It is a testament to Brilliant's work on previous pioneering projects that we are able to work with such high profile and prestigious designers and bands to help create these wonderful shows," said Bowern.
For more information, please visit www.brilliantstages.com.
