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LD Martin Thomas had help from his son, Avery, on the digital media content for Todd Rundgren, just one of a slew of shows on the road in this hot summer season. Photo courtesy Martin Thomas

Summer Tours: Yestival & Son, Matchbox Twenty, Foos, Fears, Enrique, Pitbull and More

Lighting designer Martin Thomas and LD Don Weeks joined creative forces on the production design for the Yestival tour featuring Yes, Todd Rundgren and Carl Palmer’s ELP Experience. For Rundgren’s digital media content, Thomas literally sought graphic art services in-house — from his 17-year-old son, Avery. “My youngest son Avery has been doing digital graphic art for a couple of years now,” says Thomas, “and I found many of his pieces worked well with Todd’s music. Lots of compliments from the audience and the press about the look of the show; a lot of it was because of his art.”

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Nook Schoenfeld, Editor, PLSN

A Closer Look at All Aspects of Video

I think that a picture was worth a thousand words. But I think a picture is often worth 100 lights as well. As video has become a staple in concerts, we see lights being used to augment the big look of a big screen and gosh — be used to just light the money. The need for more original designs using video tiles is common. Designers need fresh ideas. With all the productions we cover this month, it’s clearly evident that different minds do not always think alike.

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The band plays their climactic television number with 10-inch scoops hovering behind them. All photos by Jeremy Daniel

Going Big and Bold for ‘Bandstand’

The Tony Award-nominated musical Bandstand is not quite what it appears to be. While it has been promoted as a peppy post-WWII musical, it is not simply extolling the big band virtues of that era. Underneath its dazzling veneer is the tale of a WWII veteran (Corey Cott) who returns home with few job prospects. He desires to form a jazz band with veterans to enter a television competition geared towards finding a great song dedicated to the service of American soldiers. Not only does he corral a spunky, talented group, but the wife (Laura Osnes) of his late best friend, who died in combat, becomes their charming singer.

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