Kevin “Deuce” Christopher has worked with the band Journey since 2004 on 10 tours, domestically and internationally, as both lighting designer and director. He’s developed a great relationship with the band, both personal and professional, tackling the challenge of representing the band’s “persona” with his visual design.
“I typically deliver a handful of designs in the form of renderings, where they agree on the best option or express interest in elements from various designs and create a hybrid of the entire proposed suite of renderings. For the 2016 Tour, we went through a few changes after production rehearsals where my vision differed somewhat from the band’s. I worked (along with Prod/Tour Manager Rob Kern and the lighting and video crew) to deliver them an overall stage design they would feel comfortable performing within.”
Working with Seibo as the lighting vendor for the tour and their rep Michael Keeling, Christopher say’s he liked working with Keeling a great deal, and his take-charge attitude.
“Seibo utilized their relationship with various vendors to deliver the necessary gear for the tour and it is a company directive to deliver ultimate happiness. He worked as hard as he could to fix any problems along the way, from inception until the last show of the tour. I look forward to working with Michael and Seibo in the future.
“Among the fixtures for the tour, I used the [Martin MAC] Viper Performance as a spot/hard edge unit. I wanted to have the option of creating wide gobo looks, but squaring off the projection beam so that the entire stage would be covered, but there would be no overlap of the images. The Viper AirFX units we used as my wash unit, but I wanted a wash-like instrument that also doubled as a beam projector to give me some versatility with gobo projection. With this combo of Performance and AirFX fixtures I could use the Performance units as the “wash” for a song, and utilize the gobos in the AirFX to deliver the beams.
“I tucked four Vipers on the mid stage truss as specials for upstage positions. I prefer to use a profile unit for this task so I can create multiple special positions for various songs depending on the need. This setup also allows me to adjust and match the output and color temperature to the followspots of the day. Claypaky Mythos were used to add an extra layer to the mix with tight beams, narrow and wide gobo projections and another option as back specials, audience wash, and effects.
“Other effects instruments were the Elation ACL Bar and the Elation Protron Color Strobe, which are both really cool. I used the ACL Bar with the frost lens as an audience blinder. Though it doesn’t have the punch of a Mole light, it delivers excellent audience coverage in virtually any color you desire utilizing its RGBW LEDs — no scrollers required!
“All of the lighting truss was Christies Lites F-Type truss. The truss is similar to Tyler GT Truss where it is pre-loaded with the instruments, rolls into place on carts, pins together and out it goes. I always prefer a pre-rigged truss in order to cut down on load in and load out times, while saving space on trucks and eliminating a need to store all the empty lamp cases until load out.”
Using Solotech as the video vendor, Deuce worked with rep Todd LePere, who came from PRG/Nocturne, the band’s vendor for a number of past tours.
“Having Todd on board, we were able to accomplish the early changes desired by the band. John McLeish, originally from Nocturne as well, has been our video director for a number of years now. John is excellent, knows all the songs, and works with me to deliver the desired finished product of the band.
“Control Freak Systems packaged our Media Server system, which originally included an Encore E2 Bridge for full control of server and camera outputs to various pips in throughout the entire display. At the start of the tour, the screen size and configuration changed, so we eliminated the E2 and left it up to McLeish to switch between Media and live program.”
Continuing his longstanding relationship with Journey, Rob Kern is back at the helm as tour and production manager, bringing his expertise, care and attention to every individual member of the tour, says Christopher.
“Rob is extremely thorough about the entire production. Though we all have amazingly great jobs and what may seem to be a cool and glamorous life, when time passes away from home for extended periods of time, or there is an internal issue, Rob is there for anyone with advice or some empathy. Hats off to the lighting and video crew as well. Our crew chief/head rigger, Kevin Cassidy is top notch. His knowledge and work ethic run deep. He’s the Gig-Bot, and nobody can out bot the Bot. Each and every tech is exemplary in what they do, and I am proud and thankful I get to work with these kind of pros who alleviate any production related stress which frees me up to focus on the actual show.
“I consider myself to be extremely fortunate to be working for such an iconic band who actually have respect for what we all do. They take the time to shoot the breeze, or ask about our loved ones. Great to have a family-friendly environment we’re involved in!”
CREW
- Lighting Designer & Director: Kevin “Deuce” Christopher
- Lighting Co: Seibo/Michael Keeling
- Lighting Crew Chief & Head Rigger: Kevin Cassidy
- Lighting Systems Tech: Cole MacDonald
- Intelligent Lights & Media Server Tech: Oscar Canales
- Dimmer and Distro Tech: Gary Boldenweck
- Production and Tour Manager: Rob Kern
- Stage Manager: Scott Norvold
- Video Director: John McLeish
- Video Co: Solotech/Todd LePere
- Video Tech & Engineer: Tom Braislin
- Video Content: Lightswitch, Planet 10
- Media Servers/Control: Control Freak Systems
- Special Effects: Strictly FX
- Confetti Tech: Duane Nowak
- Trucking Co: SOS
GEAR
- 4 grandMA2 full size consoles
- 42 Claypaky Mythos
- 40 Martin MAC Viper AirFX
- 29 Martin MAC Viper Performances
- 4 Martin MAC Viper Profile
- 20 Elation Proton 3K Color LED Strobe
- 18 Elation ACL Bars
- 4 DF-50 – Hazers
More tour photos by Steve Jennings:
{gallery}16/11/journey{/gallery}
