Jands Vista Tours Europe with Yusuf Islam

Lighting designer Derek Jones recently finished the European leg of the current Yusuf Islam (formerly known as Cat Stevens) world tour, finding it the perfect opportunity to try out the new Jands Vista V2 software running on his own Vista S3 lighting console.

The tour marked the singer's high profile return to performing in Europe for the first time in 36 years.

Jones invested in his Vista S3 desk for a Cliff Richard & The Shadows tour about 18 months ago and it hasn't stopped working since.

"Vista v2 has definitely taken the platform to another level," says Jones, who is impressed with the new software's power and simplicity. He adds, "V2 makes it even faster to get a basic show up and running. It's so quick to create your cues, yet allows you the power to control the details."

The tour rig featured Martin Professional MAC 700 Profile moving lights in the roof and MAC 2000 and 250 Washes on the floor. A Catalyst media server was also triggered from the Vista S3, which fed content to a 60'-wide-by-30'-high projection surface upstage. The original show design was by Marc Brickman.

Equipment for the European leg of the tour was supplied by leading UK rental company, Lite Alternative.

Recommended to Jones by other lighting design colleagues, he admits to "falling in love" with the Vista console after finally taking the plunge to look at it, adding "There's absolutely no going back now."

"The surface is flexible, small and highly portable," he declares, explaining that his Vista S3 has been flightcased so it can travel as standard baggage on a plane, weighing less than 70.5lbs, while the laptops (main and backup) that run it travel with him as cabin baggage. This makes it practical and affordable to take his own console to one-offs both in Europe and further afield, so he always has his desk of choice to deliver the best looking shows to his clients.

Jones has found the worldwide support and general responsiveness of the Jands team really good, "They will actually listen to your ideas and feed back and come up with real solutions to help achieve what you need," he confirms.

Vista V2 was designed from the ground up to allow all levels of user to get the most from whatever mix of technology they have available, whether lighting, LED, or media. Available in a wide range of hardware, Vista V2 offers both the simplicity to work fast, with the power to control the finest details, so everyone can focus on creating a great looking show rather than on programming a desk, the company says.

Jands Europe's Neil Vann adds: "Derek's shows always look fantastic, and this tour is no exception. We are proud to be able to give him a way to help realize both his and his clients' creative ideas."