Singer-songwriters Gavin DeGraw and David Cook, the latter an “American Idol” winner, are co-headlining a US Tour and a grandMA2 light is going along for the ride. DeGraw and Cook plan to visit 22 cities on a continental swing. DeGraw is performing songs from his fourth album, “Sweeter,” and Cook appears in support of his most recent album, “This Loud Morning.”
Lighting designer/director Scott Warner is responsible for maximising a limited lighting rig so all the bands appearing with DeGraw and Cook have a unique look. He also serves as the programmer and operator for the tour bands.
Warner is also a first-time grandMA2 user. He’s using the console to control not only Clay Paky Sharpys but also an array of Robe REDWash, Martin 700, Atomic Strobes and Lowel Omni lights.
“I saw the grandMA2 light at LDI and loved the look – it’s a great-looking console and people come up to me to say how cool it is. It’s also very fast; I don’t have to wait for anything. I like the touch control and bump buttons. It feels good running the show, more fun – like sitting at a Mac computer.” He also likes having access to more DMX universes on the grandMA2 light.
Instead of using conventional vertical trusses, Warner opted to create a three-level wall of truss at the back of the stage. “With three levels it looks like I have three layers of light,” he explains. “It gives me a nice wall of lights. On the top level I have nine Sharpy, and I frame the bands with them.
“The Clay Paky Sharpy is a fantastic light, and I love that I can instantly move them around so if something is sounding cool on stage, I can go to it,” he continues. “I’ve never used Clay Paky lights before, so the Sharpys are a great introduction. The bands love them too – during sound checks everyone comments on them. They call them ‘lasers’!”
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