One Direction for HSL

HSL supplied lighting equipment and LED screens to the first production tour for One Direction. The band has just completed a totally sold out six-week UK arena/theatre tour.

HSL worked with Production North, who asked Dave Lee to create a lighting design for the tour, working alongside show producer, Louise Doyle.

HSL's project manager, Mike Oates comments, "We were very happy to be working with production director Steve Levitt, production manager Mike Clegg, and the team from Production North again, who always produce a great live show with real entertainment value. We were also able to offer an integrated and efficient technical package encompassing both lighting and LED screens."

In 2011, HSL made its first major investment in LED screen, purchasing large quantities of Martin EC10 and EC20 surface, some of which was utilized for this tour.

The lighting fixtures were hung on four straight 50' long trusses flown above the stage, all staggered slightly in height to add depth and an additional visual dimension.

On the back truss were seven Martin Professional MAC 2K XB Washes, eight VARI*LITE V*L3000 Spots, and eight Atomic strobes, together with six Martin 101 LED washes. The EC10 screen was also flown from this truss.

The upstage-mid truss was rigged with seven V*L 3000 Spots, six Robe ROBIN 300 Beams and 15 MAC 101s. The 101s were all hung on varying length steel drop-wires. The downstage-mid truss featured seven Robe Robin 300 Beams and four custom chandeliers, which were lowered in for the final song.

On the front truss were ten MAC 2K XB Washes and a snow machine, which blasted the forestage and front rows of the audience in fake snow during One Thing.

The floor was utilized for specific strategic lighting positions with another five Robin 300 Beams, two V*L 3000 Spots, and four Atomics tucked in between the risers and props.

Lee used a Hog iPC console to program and run all the lights.

He worked alongside his HSL crew of Johnny Harper and Dom Crookes, and comments, "As always HSL was faultless as a supplier! Mike is an amazing project manager, the kit was in excellent condition and so well prepped that they didn't hear from us for six weeks once we left the warehouse!"