CHAUVET Professional Adds to Chris Reade's Evocative Looks on Dierks Bentley's Gravel and Gold TourMulti-platinum artist Dierks Bentley, spent a great deal of time thinking about his Gravel and Gold Tour, which concluded with its September 21 show at the American Family Insurance Amphitheatre in Milwaukee. The tour celebrated the landmark 10th album in Bentley's incredibly successful career, and he wanted to make it especially memorable. Featuring a production design by Bruce Rodgers, lighting by Chris Reade, and video by Luz Studio, the stage pulled together A-level world class talent for this 30-city tour. Collectively this team created a massive, wide open panorama with minimal props and fixtures on the stage deck, a potent flown lighting rig overhead, and large, multi-layered 3D video wall that made it possible to change overall looks dramatically. Helping Reade set the tone with light was a collection of CHAUVET Professional STRIKE 1 fixtures, which, like the rest of the rig was supplied by Christie Lights. Arranged on towers, the STRIKE fixtures were used to create cross light effects. "The STRIKE fixtures gave us an old school feel, and created a beautiful tungsten look," says Reade. "We used them for a dramatic element, as well as mix tungsten looks into sections. We picked and chose when to use them, calling on them when they could have the biggest impact. Overusing them would have been a mistake -- you can get such a cool impact by being picky." Reade notes that the STRIKE 1 fixtures were key to creating one of his favorites looks in the show. It occurred in the solo section of the song "Say You Do." The subtle use of the warm white fixtures at that moment created what Reade described as a "great visual within a large, beautifully textured video look." 
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