Chevelle in Cape Town

04 July 2013

The sounds of the American trio, Chevelle, recently hit South Africa. Chevelle had plans to play at local festival Oppikoppi in 2011, but due to obligations to finish their record, they had to cancel. Keeping their promise to come back, fans were delighted to welcome them to Johannesburg and Cape Town.

In Cape Town the show was hosted at the Grand Arena at GrandWest on Friday, 31 May 2013. Rental Company, Ultra Event Technical Solutions, had the use of the Grand Arena’s in-house sound and lighting but also supplied additional lighting fixtures, and were responsible for the technical and support.

Yasheen Abdullah from Ultra Events did research on Chevelle to ensure he could recreate their lighting style. “I had a tool, the grandMA2 light, which made my life easier,” said Abdullah. “It helped me to make the show as good as it was.” Abdullah felt a little hot under the collar during the show, as fellow MA user, Gareth Chambers from DWR Distribution, was in the audience. “I felt Gareth was my judge,’ said Abdullah. “And I wanted to fly the MA banner.”  

“Yasheen did a good job,” reported Chambers. “I loved the show.”

       Abdullah’s aim was to make the design true to the audience’s expectation. He incorporated 12 x Robe ColorSpots 700s, 12 x Robe ColorWash 700s (for great gobo work), and 6 Clay Paky Sharpys. 

It was the first time he had Sharpys on a gig. “What an amazing product,” he said. “When I told the fixtures to do something, the executed the action perfectly.” On a show like Chevelle, timing is everything and Abdullah was thrilled with the spectacular mid-air effects.

Well done to everyone at Ultra Events who made this a successful event. “I would like to end by thanking DWR Distribution, especially to Nick Britz and Duncan Riley,” ended Abdullah. “Thank you for getting me to this point in my career.”

Lighting Equipment:  

12        x          Robe ColorSpot 700

12        x          Robe ColorWash 700

6          x          Clay Paky Sharpys

8          x          Martin Atomic

48        x          Parcans

48        x          Martin 101

8          x          Moelefay Crowd Blinders

1          x          grandMA light