Lighting rental specialist HSL supplied lighting and rigging equipment and crew to
the UK leg of the recent tour by hit-busting US rock band Heart whose incredible
career spans five decades.

The shows started with a special gig at the Royal Albert Hall where Heart – known
for the brevity and dynamics of their rock based music – was accompanied by the
67-piece Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO). The same gig was filmed for release
as a live DVD.

The tour was project managed on the road for HSL by Lester Cobrin and back at
base in Blackburn by Sean McGlone, with Lester liaising directly with Heart’s
production manager Dale Doucette and lighting director Gabrielle Scheff who has
worked with the band in various lighting capacities since 2012.

There were two overhead trusses – mid and rear – each loaded with Martin Mac
Viper Profiles, MAC Aura LED washes and MAC 2K XB Washes. More Vipers were
upstage on the deck, used for powerful through-the-band and aerial effects.

Also on the upstage truss were strings of ACLs, and Jarag 5×5 blinders on the mid
truss. There was no front truss, instead the band members were highlighted with
Robert Juliat Cyrano follow spots, also from HSL, each loaded with six saturated
colours.

The different MAC moving lights picked from HSL’s extensive stock of Martin
fixtures – were all used to create numerous vibrant and interesting scenes. Gabi
admits that she misses the physical movement between base stage washes –
harking back to the days of massive PAR can rigs – but feels in part able to re-
imagine this classic physical style with these different moving luminaires … and
achieve more intensity and punch!

The MAC 2K washes she found infinitely useful as a bright source with a tight zoom,
while the Auras provided strong rounded beams and ultra-fast movement due to
their small size “The “Aura effect’ really allows me to create those big rock looks
without the 2K colours becoming washed out,’ said Gabi.

The Vipers were primarily animated specials – ideal for both fat beams and crisp
gobo looks and big, bold moves, perfect for the rock numbers as well as creating
tasteful atmospheres for the ballads.

HSL supplied a grandMA2 full size console for the tour, Gabi’s desk of choice, a tool
she finds “incredibly intuitive’ and easy to use. “Programming is a breeze and
running a show “live’ is even easier!’ she confirms.

Heart is continuing their proactive touring schedule in the US.