Martin helps launch Metallica´s ´Death Magnetic´

Metallica recently launched their #1 selling album ‘Death Magnetic’ at the O2 London and O2 Berlin and Martin were with them all the way. Dan Hardiman of THC Design was charged with lighting the two events for the band and his rig consisted of 64 x MAC 2000 Washes (with the PC lens) rigged and 28 x MAC 2000 Washes (with the Fresnel lens) in floor positions. These were accompanied by 32 x Atomic 3000 DMX all of which was supplied by PRG. ‘To say this rig packed a punch is an understatement, it was immense’ comments Dan.

Both gigs were one off launch parties and featured the band in-the-round; the gigs were very intimate with tickets only being available to fans through the bands fan-club. 100% of the ticket revenue went to charity, with the band paying for the production out of their own products.

With the band not producing set-lists until minutes before they go on stage and the new album being kept firmly under wraps, Dan had a very tough job on his hands. ‘The show had to be somewhat busked with everything being so secretive, control via the Wholehog III made this really easy to do.’ Dan spent a week pre-programming the show in the THC Design WYSIWYG suite. ‘I programmed as many songs as I could, with the knowledge that they may not play any of them. In the end they ended up performing about 25% of what I programmed.’

For more information on Dan’s work and THC Design please visit www.thcdesign.co.uk.