Symphony, Hangar 18, Conquer - Rehearsals

Summary

The transcript captures a behind-the-scenes look at the intense preparations for a concert tour. Musicians and crew members discuss their rehearsals, overcoming challenges like memorizing complex riffs, and refining stage setups for the performance. The lighting director explains how technology simulates the stage environment to ensure a seamless show. With moments of humor and concern for safety, the crew works together to fine-tune every detail, from lighting cues to stage movements, ensuring that everything is ready for the upcoming tour. The excitement and hard work of the final rehearsal day are palpable as they prepare to hit the road.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker spent two days rehearsing difficult solos, particularly struggling with 'Hangar 18,' but is confident it will be fine for the tour.
• 🎸 The speaker mentions getting confused between two guitar solos but is now more comfortable with them.
• 💡 The conversation touches on light and stage setup, including how the lighting is crucial for the band's performance.
• 📏 They plan to mark the stage with tape to help a band member with their first time performing on stage, avoiding accidents.
• 🚨 There's concern about the first performance, as the person is likely to be too amped and could potentially injure themselves.
• 🎤 The performance involves a synchronization of the band and lighting effects, such as lighting that pulses along with the music.
• 🎮 The lighting director, Reuben, explains how they use technology similar to video games to simulate and rehearse the entire stage performance beforehand.
• 💻 The lighting and video setup is meticulously programmed, and adjustments are made during the show for a flawless performance.
• 🎶 The show is planned with cues and scenes, and each song has its own specific visual elements and lighting setup.
• 📅 After six days of rehearsals in Nashville, the team prepares to head to Texas to perform, signaling the end of the rehearsal phase.
• 🎥 The speaker expresses excitement about future vlogs and intends to share more behind-the-scenes content about the tour.

Q & A

Why did it take two days for the guitarist to get things back in shape for the rehearsal?

It took two days because there were many riffs to memorize, and the guitarist needed time to get used to the material again. They mentioned that after two rehearsals, things started to improve.

What was the guitarist struggling with during rehearsal, particularly with the song 'Hangar 18'?

The guitarist was struggling with the solos in 'Hangar 18,' specifically getting confused between the first and second solo. However, they were confident that it would be okay for the tour.

What concern did the team have about a band member's stage entrance?

The team was worried that a band member might injure themselves during their stage entrance, potentially getting too amped up and accidentally hitting their head or breaking their arm on the drum riser. To prevent this, they planned to mark the stage with tape.

How did the lighting director, Reuben, describe his work on the show?

Reuben, the lighting director, explained that he was creating a simulation of the entire stage to recreate the lighting and video effects before the actual show. This allows for a smoother performance as everything is already pre-programmed.

What technology does the lighting team use to simulate the show?

The lighting team uses technology similar to video games, where they can simulate the entire stage, lights, and video effects. This helps in rehearsing and fine-tuning the show before the live performance.

What does the lighting director mean by 'rehearsing' his lighting setup?

Reuben refers to rehearsing his lighting setup in a similar way the band rehearses their music. He fine-tunes the lights and video effects during rehearsals to ensure everything is coordinated and ready for the live show.

What feature of the lighting console did Reuben demonstrate?

Reuben demonstrated the ability to label and organize cues on the lighting console. For instance, he could label keys with specific cue numbers, which helps in quickly referencing and managing different lighting scenes.

How is the lighting and video timeline structured for the show?

The lighting and video timeline is structured by song, with each song having its own page. Each page contains all the cues and moments for that song, which allows the lighting director to easily switch between songs and simulate the show.

How does the lighting director ensure the show runs smoothly?

Reuben ensures the show runs smoothly by pre-programming all the lighting and video cues. During the rehearsals, he fine-tunes everything so that when the actual performance takes place, all the technical elements are in sync.

What was the final day of rehearsal like, and what were the next steps after it?

The final day of rehearsal was spent in a large room in Nashville, and after six days of practice, the team was preparing to load everything into trucks. They were heading to Texas next for the tour.