11 April 2012
Sonu Nigam Live 2012 was held in Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban on March 23rd, 24th and 25th respectively. International performer, Sonu Nigam, is an Indian playback singer whose career has included releasing various pop albums, acting and hosting his own radio show. The technical suppliers in South Africa were ULTRA Events (CTN) and Gearhouse SA (JHB and DBN).
Cape Town
What are the highlights to an event of this calibre? For Costa Champanis from ULTRA Events who provided the technical for the Cape Town leg of the tour held at the Good Hope Centre, it was the professionalism presented by this international production team. “What we noticed,” said Costa, “is that there was no arrogance or ego and while everyone was very friendly, they were very professional and knew exactly what they wanted to achieve and how to do it.”
ULTRA Events set up and programmed overnight. The plot had been e-mailed from Mumbai in India to Yasheen Abdullah. When Sonu Nigam and his team arrived everything was set to go for their brilliant touring LD “The LD, Roosevelt, Sound Guy, Pramod and Video Lady, Zarina, were so on the ball it was amazing. We were blown away,” commented Costa.
The largest challenge was a time restraint. The quotation request came in a week before the function and was approved two days prior to the show. “That was a bit of a problem as we needed to purchase 6 more Robin 600 LEDs. But, Robert Izzett and Duncan Riley from DWR Distribution pulled it off.” The lights were sent overnight to Cape Town and were literally taken out of their boxes and mounted on the trusses and set to work on the gig without fail.
“We didn’t initially know much about this show,” said Costa. “It has been the number one Indian touring show for three years running and really opened our eyes. We were glad that we could deliver all required equipment in all genres, and it was nice chatting to the international team and realising our gear was on par with international standards.”
Cape Town: Lighting Equipment 12 x Robe ColorSpot 575s 12 x Robin 600LEDs 16 x Martin Mac 101 LED Lights 2 x LeMaitre MVS Hazer
12 x ETC source 4 Profile Spot
5 x Molefays
10 x Bars (each with 6 x par 64 parcans)
2 x Avolites Pearl 2010 lighting desks
6 x Redback 12ch Dimmer
Sound, Vertec Line array system, Video, LED screen, trussing, stage and crew was part of the package
Johannesburg and Durban Emperors Palace hosted the event in Johannesburg while Durbanites gathered to the Durban ICC Arena for the much anticipated Sonu Nigam concert.
Kenneth Mkefa was Gearhouse’ Project Manager in JHB, his team including Eugene Dlamini (Lighting), Kholofelo Cyril Sewela (Audio) and Andries Mahlalela (AV).
Project Manager Richard Conibeer headed the Durban team who consisted of Goodman Nyoka (Lighting), Gary Loader (Audio) and John Styles (AV).
Time was also Gearhouse’s only real major restraint. “Final confirmation on the event came through two days before the event which resulted in less than optimum communication with the international production team, and as a result, there were some on site changes when the band arrived,” commented Kenneth Mkefa, Project Manager. “We generally make sure everyone checks and signs off drawings and plans ahead of time as it makes for a smoother load in.”
Working around the cinema style concert seating was also a challenge. “As we had to solve some sightline issues with the central FOH position and because of the timelines, rigging in the auditorium at times compromised the laying out of chairs for the concert seating.”
As a whole, however, he only had good things to say about the gig and their international LD. “Yes, Roosevelt knows his craft very well and even after seriously compressed programming time, his lighting was extremely impressive,” Kenneth commented. “The DuoLed screen in the back centre of the stage just completed the aesthetics of the event. I must say the concert was extremely pleasing to the eye.”
Johannesburg: Lighting Equipment
1 x Avolites 48 Way Dimmer
1 x JANDS HP12 12Way Dimmer Module
1 x Avolites Pearl 2008 Lighting Console
16 x Martin Mac 101 LED Lights
12 x Tri Tour LED Par Light
18 x Robe Robin 300E Wash
16 x Robe Robin 300E Spot
4 x Bar of 4 Par 64 ACL (Black)
10 x Bar of 6 Par 64 (Black)
12 x ETC Source 4
15 x 30degrees Profile
8 x Molefay Frame Lite
2 x Strong 1200w HMI FollowSpot
2 x High End F100 Smoke Machine
4 x Reel EFX DF 50 Hazer
3 x Light Processor Truss mount DMX Buffer/Opto Split-8
Prolyte V-Type Black & Milos Trio trussing
A-Type truss Base
Durban: Lighting Equipment
1 x Avolites 48 Way Dimmer
12 x Robe Robin 700 Spots
12 x Robe Robin 600 LED Wash
18 x Martin Mac 101 LED Lights
10 x Bar of 6 Par 64 (Black)
10 x Bar of 4 Par 64 ACL (Black)
4 x Molefay Frame – 8 Lite
12 x Pacific Zoom Profile
1 x Avolites Pearl 2010 Lighting Console
2 x Super Trouper 2K
2 x ZR44 Smoke Machine
2 x Reel EFX DF50 Hazer
A-Type Trussing & Base
