03 November 2011
Nu World at Rocking the Daisies
Cape Town based Hellfire, who recently purchased 6 new Robin 300 LED Wash fixtures, provided the full technical for the Nu World and Lemontree stages at “Rocking the Daisies”, held at Cloof Wine Estate, Western Cape. Lindsay Barton, Sound and Lighting Technician at the festival, answered a few questions.
We went onto the “Rocking the Daises” website and wondered how you got any work done with everyone around you in bathing costumes, floating about in tubes. It must be one of the best gigs to work on. Would you agree (and why either way)?
With the hot weather conditions over the weekend we had no choice but to take a dive in the dam whenever the opportunity arose. It is a fantastic festival to be involved with especially in terms of the obscure and eclectic styles of music and highly skilled entertainers we get to work with on our stages. This year they ranged from magicians, comedians and burlesque dancers to Pirate, Gypsy, Balkan and Mediterranean Surf Rock style bands, to name just a few. The DJs on the Nu World stage were in a league of their own and blasted the crowd into a dancing frenzy with their unique beats and brain tickling genre music choices blending seamlessly.
This is the 6th year of the show. Have you worked on the show before?
We have been involved in the festival since its second year to date. We are also very fortunate to be part of many other brilliant festivals in the Cape, such as The Cape Town International Jazz Festival, Infesting the City, Ramfest, Earthdance…..
What was your involvement at Rocking the Daisies?
We provided the Nu World beat ring and Lemontree stage with all technical crew such as sound engineers, lighting designers, as well as all show equipment; sound, lighting, staging, structure and backline.
Hellfire Productions purchased 6 Robin 300 LEDWash fixtures. Were they specifically bought for this festival?
Besides the desire to own these fixtures for their compact light weight design and high output, we have also had a demand for some LED wash fixtures for some time now. We finally decided to purchase these fixtures as they would be an excellent choice to complement the Nationwide Freshlyground tour that will be taking place for the whole of November. We decided to use them at Daisies to upgrade our stage lighting as well as to see what they are capable of.
Freshlyground rehearsal
What made you choose these fixtures in particular?
Apart from the fact that we would like to move towards LED lighting for all its obvious advantages, we are impressed by the powerful features built into such a compact, lightweight and affordable fixture. My favourite is the ‘tungsten dimming emulation’ and the zoom, which gives a great beam and wash. All these features make the Robin 300 LEDWash versatile for almost any size event.
How were the Robins implemented in the show / positioned or rigged?
We rigged them on a vertical truss on the front of stage to move some colour around the tent and dance floor.
Did you enjoy them?
Wow, they are powerful for their size! Yes we enjoyed them. They looked great and we are looking forward to using them on the Freshlyground tour.
What was the greatest challenge of the gig?
Our greatest challenge was to fit all the structure and gear we originally wanted into the Bedouin tent provided. Along with this, the stress of dealing with gailforce winds on the setup – and the first night of the show.
Could you provide a lighting equipment list:
6 x Robin 300 LEDWash
2 x Robe 575AT ColorSpot
6 x Martin Mac 250 Color Spots
12 x LED par 64
6 x Generic par 64
1 x Ridge 4 Beam Laser
Martin Jem ZR44 Smoke Machine
Avolites Pearl 2008 Lighting Console
Nu World stage
Could you tell us more about Hellfire? When was it established, how did the name come about, what service do you provide?
Established in 1997. Hellfire believes there is no event too small for exceptional production. Our team employs both technical and artistic expertise, fastidious attention to detail and a highly customised approach to each event. Directed by an engineer who has toured nationally and internationally since 1999, the company strives to bring a world class standard of production to the local market. Hellfire Productions is a technical production company based in Woodstock, Cape Town.
The company name ‘Hell Fire Hire’ was originally coined during a conversation with a band that the original owner, Kevin Winder, was involved with. A few years after the company was established an employee at the time, Dylan Croudace, took over the business and has since brought this company to what it is today.
We provide event technical solutions; All technical crew, such as System and Sound Engineers, Lighting Designers, AV, Stage and Backline Technicians, Stage and Event Managers as well as all the necessary equipment; Sound, Lighting, Staging, Audiovisual and Backline (musical equipment), including sales, repairs, installations, acoustic treatment and live recordings.
Any other feedback you may want to add?
As a company well known and established for providing high quality live sound, we are very excited to be noticed for our lighting skills and to continue expanding our lighting department. The results and feedback thus far have been extremely positive. Thanks to DWR for the excellent support.
