Bandit and C3 Presents Set Lollapalooza Site A-Glow

	Buckingham Fountain at the Lollapalooza Music and Arts Festival

Festival season continued this summer with more than 430,000 people attending the Lollapalooza Music and Arts Festival over four days. Bandit Lites worked with C3 Presents and provided three trucks with nearly 600 fixtures and 1,500 feet of truss to light spaces across Grant Park in Chicago, Illinois.

Areas included Kidsapalooza, the Merch Palace, cocktail lounges, a beer garden, VIP areas off the stage, and the stunning Buckingham fountain. Bandit also supplied lighting for all areas with foot traffic, navigating the way from stage to stage.

"Our biggest challenge is always power distribution on such a large festival," said C3 Presents production manager Tyler Crain. "A solid plan of areas to light and power necessary to accomplish this ahead of time is a necessity."

In order to craft that solid plan, Bandit Lites began working with Crain about seven weeks ahead of load in to organize and map out the logistics for truss towers, specialty lighting, and landscape needs.

Thirty-two Elation Professional Paladins spaced evenly around the fountain in eight groups of four turned the waters into vivid colors throughout the night.

"The Paladins really brought the fountain to life," shared Aaron Swetland who programmed Buckingham Fountain. "They worked great as we didn't have to bag them. Even on the sunniest days, there is going to be mist, so having a waterproof light is super important."

Bandit Lites team arrived early to set up the site lighting, using their knowledge and expertise to fashion spaces that gave artistic and colorful looks, while emphasizing practicality and safety.

Whether it was up lighting trees with programmed lighting changes throughout the night, stringing festoons or illuminating signage, Bandit's crew transformed the park into a wonderland.

"It's our privilege to work with C3 Presents throughout the year, and Lollapalooza is no exception," said Shawn Lear. "Senior production manager Brandon Sossamon and Tyler Crain lead a team of professionals through massive logistics and hours of details that ultimately creates a fun and successful experience. A festival of this size is a testament to their skill and meticulousness."

Bandit crew included: crew chief -- Chuck Hasting, programmer -- Aaron Swetland, lead tech -- Adam McIntosh, techs -- Scott Sepe, Elliot Martin, and Ty Veneziano.

C3 Presents team included: senior production manager -- Brandon Sossamon, production manager -- Tyler Crain, creative production manager -- Cristy Waldrip, creative stage manager -- Patrick Harrington.