LONDON – LD Simon Tutchener is using the new Clay Paky Sharpy Wash and the Alpha Spot QWO 800 on Mark Knopfler’s tour. “I’m having the time of my life with these,” said Tutchener. “I’m still getting to know the lights but everything I’ve seen so far is just what I was expecting.”
More details from Clay Paky (www.claypaky.it):
Tutchener saw a demo at Ambersphere, a Clay Paky distributor. “There are many features that attracted me, even on first examination you see they’re not huge hulking great lumps of metal work. I knew straight away the Sharpy Wash was what I wanted, not just the physical size, the intense brightness as well. Lightweight lamps with this quality and power of output are the way forward.”
He adds that the QWO was also an “easy choice.”
“Overall the QWO is for me the best, or rather, the most versatile. I have eight people in this band to light so the QWO has to be a real workhorse. The great zoom range from 7.6 to 55 degrees coupled with the ‘stay sharp’ feature to keep gobos constantly in focus as you zoom is a real bonus. Mark (Knopfler) is insistent (that) no lamps move during songs, and no rotating or animated gobos, so that ‘stay sharp’ while zooming is a real boon in terms of adding some dynamics to the look on stage.”
Entec’s Noreen O’Riordan felt the investment well worth it. “The Sharpy has proved a world beater since its launch; we expect nothing less from the Sharpy Wash. As for the QWO – the Ambersphere demo was compelling and I think Simon’s assessment is spot on; a good quality light with all the features and more that you need to make it a great workhorse. We get outstanding service and back up from Ambersphere, I know they’re like that with everyone, but that just makes the purchase decision easier.”
Tutchener has more than 50 of the two Clay Paky models, plus some S4 profiles for pick-ups and Moles for audience light. “I’ve only been using them a short time and they are lovely, I am particularly impressed with the color range in both Wash and QWO; the magentas are delightful and the deep purples are practically real UV. The Alpha Spot QWO 800 contrasts well with the ACLs I have in the rig: yes, I’ve gone a little retro and put 24 Par64 ACLs into my design. The QWOs on the front truss are 30 feet above the stage deck, yet even in a big number like Telegraph Road where I’m really putting a lot of light on stage the QWOs still appear as a stand out beam. For a song with such cinematic scope that potency is essential.”
And now the tour is underway is Tutchener confirmed in his choices? “Mark asked me something very similar: he said, are you happy with the new rig? Happy? I’m ecstatic.”
