Paul McCartney’s long-running One on One World Tour has added 21 dates in the US
this summer and fall. Claypaky fixtures help showcase the evolution of his music
from the 1960s to today. The US leg of the ongoing tour kicked off in Miami in July
and will conclude in Detroit in October.
Lighting Designer LeRoy Bennett is tasked with highlighting “a vast array of musical
styles over the decades’ during the three-hour show. High-tech AV solutions,
including layers of transparent video, LEDs and lasers, form a backdrop for the history
of the former Beatle’s music but remain unobtrusive to fans. “While we use many
aspects of technology you never see them all at once, and they are never
overpowering,’ notes Lighting Director Wally Lees.
Upstaging provided the tour with 12 Claypaky Scenius Profiles, 12 Scenius Unicos and
96 Sharpys. The versatile Unico spot, wash and beam light is making its debut with
McCartney’s show.
Bennett has positioned the Scenius Unicos primarily on the upstage floor behind the
band as big fill lights. “We had been using a different light and wanted to change
things out a bit,’ he says. “I’m impressed by what Scenius Unico can do. They have
a lot of functionality and versatility – they’re a great lamp.’
Bennett says Scenius Profiles are mounted in “key locations’ to showcase McCartney
at the piano and centre mic, for example. “In addition to spots we have key lighting
just to enhance Paul,’ Lees explains. “He is an icon, and we want to highlight him,
which can be hard with all that tech onstage. We’re always looking for the best light,
and I was blown away by a demo of Scenius Profile – its colour temperature and
flatness of field were amazing. Then LeRoy saw it and loved it.’
The large complement of Sharpys “are all over the place doing what Sharpies do –
tight beams, directional and quick,’ Bennett notes. “We have two very tight banks of
Sharpys mid-stage and downstage that create a wall of light, give the effect of being
in a room or look like jail bars.’
Bennett emphasises that equipment choices are made based on “the best of what’s
out there. The lamp choice, the gear choice – we want the best of the best. That’s
why we’ve chosen these products for Paul’s show. It’s a complex system; there’s a lot
of gear all over the stage. But everything is working great.’
Francesco Romagnoli, Claypaky area manager for North and Latin America, added,
“It’s once again gratifying to be a part of this high profile show. Our congratulations
go out to Mr Bennett and Lees on an excellent job.’
