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Behind The Scenes At A Smokie Concert

If you're interested in how a Smokie gig is put together look at this...
The Dome at Doncaster Smokie's 40' truck Robin the truck driver
Doncaster 'Dome' where the concert is to be held. 11:00 The truck and crew bus arrive at the venue. Robin the driver
Starting to unload Unloading the truck Going up on the hydraulic lift
The unloading begins starting with the lighting gantry sections. There is a lot of gear in there... 11:15 Christos ascends to the ceiling to attach the winches for the lighting gantries...
Bolting the gantry together Unloaded flight cases Hanging lights on the gantry
...while Jason and Paddy bolt one of them together. 11:45 About half the gear is in now. The front gantry is lifted and the lights are being hung on it.
Hanging speakers on the gantry Paddy and his lights vernon connects the projector
12:00 Peter and Jason hang a speaker (the rear gantry is on stage at the back) Paddy looks happy with his work so far! Vernon connects the projector. The screen lies on the stage behind.
Lighting gantry being raised The rear gantry The monitor desk
The gantry is now raised. 12:30 Now the same is done with the rear gantry. Peter is setting up the sound system.
Unpacking guitars Stacking speakers Setting up the drums
12:45 Christos the guitar technician begins unpacking the instruments. The speaker stacks are built. 13:00 Jason assembles the drum kit
View of the hall Break time Light and smoke equipment
It's starting to look more like a gig now! 13:45 Must be time for a break. 14:15 Back to work and connecting up the lighting dimmers and smoke machines.
The lighting desk Checking the light Light unit internals
Paddy checks the lighting system and finds a fault. One of the computer controlled lights is not working properly and needs changing. Complicated things these lights!
Climbing the rope ladder Setting the spots The stage is lit
Jason now climbs into the rigging... ...to adjust the spotlights. It all seems to be OK now.
Main sound desk Monitor desk Microphone check
15:00 Peter and Jason set up and adjust the main sound desk... ...while Vernon sets up the on-stage monitor desk... and checks the microphones.
Computer check Guitar check Making a new chair
Christos meanwhile gets his computer ready... and checks the guitars. 16:00 A new chair from Ikea requires one builder and two advisors!
John Wagstaff The auditorium The show begins
17:00 The band's manager John Wagstaff arrives All set up and ready to go.
The view from Steve's drums.		 19:30 Let the show begin.
Dismantling the lights The stage being stripped Packing up
22:15 Now everything has to be taken down and packed away.   00:00 It will be after midnight before everything is packed away and all this is loaded onto the truck.