Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and Government restrictions around mass gatherings, the 2021 Toyota Country Music Festival was cancelled. However, Australian country music’s golden night- the 2021 Toyota Golden Guitar Awards – still went ahead at Tamworth Regional Entertainment and Conference Centre on Saturday 23 January. Artists who performed included the 2020 ARIA Award winner and seven-time 2021 Golden Guitar Award nominee Fanny Lumsden and six-time nominees The McClymonts and Travis Collins.
Once again, Live Event Services provided a full production solution.
“The brief developed over several weeks as we waited to find out if the Awards could go ahead due to Covid-19 restrictions,” explained Colin Baldwin, Managing Director of LES. “Ultimately, we were required to provide a cost effective solution for audio visual and stage lighting for the 49th Australian Country Music Awards.”
For audio reinforcement the in-house AT TLA 312 PA system was utilised augmented with LES’ new L-Acoustics 108p near fill cabinets. A Soundcraft Vi 3000 console, run by Brad Scott-Kemmis, was deployed to FOH and a Vi 2000 to monitors run by Mitch Alcom.
Both fold-back wedges and IEMs, Shure PSM1000 with Shure SE215 expendable buds, were used.
The Rx set up included Shure UR4D with UR2-H4e hand held, a couple of Clock Audio Podium mics and a selection of Shure, AKG and Shawn cable mics.
The lighting rig needed to supply good coverage and enough effects to sustain a two hour show without being repetitive.
The rig consisted of a mixture of in-house and Live Event Services fixtures: ShowPRO Pluto 350, Martin Rush MH7, ShowPRO Quad-18, Robe Robe Robin 300, ETC Source Four, ACME CM600Z and 350Z LED wash lights. A total of 56 ShowPRO DreamPix Strips were rigged above the screen for effects and stage set design. Control was MA2 light with MA3 Compact as back-up.
“Friday and Saturday are our days to block and programme the show,” remarked Colin. “Our LD Adam Smith spent considerable time on lighting positions and colours before arriving in Tamworth on Thursday afternoon. Saturday afternoon we ran a full rehearsals in order to iron out any challenges before the awards are staged that night. ABC TV provide the SNG van to transmit to ABC studio in Sydney. On Saturday afternoon we test and check cameras, audio and straps (lower thirds) before the commencement of the awards.”
A 12m x 4.5m P3 LED screen was positioned close to the stage to create backdrop elements and run awards packages.
“Given the tight budget we resorted to our own camera chain and control including Panasonic AG-UX180 4K cameras and four PTZ cameras with BDM ATEM 8 switcher,” added Colin. “A MacBook Pro was running ProPresenter for play-back of packages.”
For audio mix-down a Soundcraft Impact console was setup in a site shed BOH with split from the Vi2000.
“Our biggest challenge this year was budget and working with many different types and brands of equipment,” concluded Colin. “Personally I think it went very well. There were no technical stuff ups, ABC TV were happy and the audience enjoyed the experience. Peter Ross and Dan Biddle did an excellent job pulling together the artists, script and creative elements. Congratulations to the winners and many thanks to our crew.”
Production Design and Management – Colin Baldwin
Stage Manager / Show Caller – Adam Lowe
Venue Logistics and Coordination – Robert Elsworthy
FOH Audio Engineer – Brad Scott-Kemmis
FOH Audio Playback – Danny Hankinson
Monitors Engineer – Mitch Alcom
Audio Mix-Down Engineer – Michael Simjanovski
Video Packages and Graphics Creative – Sean Costello
Camera Director – Todd Decker
Assistant Camera – Luke Oldknow
Vision Director – Ashley Sellers
Lighting Director – Adam Smith
Production Crew Boss – Justin Barraclough
Lighting System Tech – Shane Elsworthy
Audio Technician – Dan Lowe
AV Technician – Jarrad Bray
Production Assistant / ASM – Roger Danne
Crew Logistics – Fiona Baldwin
Teleprompt Operator – Lyla Hill
Camera Operator – John Drew
Camera Operator – Alan Alderson
