Metalworks Production Group Tours With Blue Rodeo

Blue Rodeo chose Metalworks Production Group to set and light their stage for their Canadian tour which began in January and runs until early April.

Lighting Designer Brad Wagg, came up with the concept for the tour and MPG’s Cam Butler facilitated the equipment.

The tour has been very successful, with the band playing to sold out venues. This is no surprise, as Blue Rodeo has proved their staying power over the years. They just released their twelfth studio album, The Things We Left Behind, in November 2009. The band has been with Warner Music Group since the release of Outskirts in 1987.

Blue Rodeo members have collaborated with many well-known Canadian artists such as Sarah McLachlan, The Tragically Hip, Great Big Sea, Sarah Harmer and Jann Arden, to name just a few.

They received a star on Canada’s Walk of Fame in Toronto, in September 2009.

MPG employee, Tyler Pigeon, just 19 years old, is Lighting Technician on the tour. Butler vouched for Pigeon after working with him on other projects. He said of Pigeon, “He’s a hard worker and he stepped up to the plate for me.”

Pigeon said, in an interview, his first experience on the road has been amazing. He added, “I love it. It doesn’t feel like I am at work at all. I guess it helps when your passion is your job.” He also made sure to stress his thanks to MPG for all their hard work, and the long hours they spent getting all the gear together for the tour.

Butler travelled to Winnipeg during the first week of tour to make sure things were running smoothly. He said, “We got it out perfectly this time. There were no bugs.”

MPG has toured with Blue Rodeo before. Butler himself has 35 years of experience on tours, and is right at home on projects such as this.

EQUIPMENT LIST - 10 x Mac 700 wash moving lights - 20 x Mac 700 profiles - 12 x Mac 250 Entours - 8 x Moving head palcos - 6 x Stationary Palcos - 32 x Par LED fixtures - 2 x Hazers with fans and fluid - 1 x Moving light distro with octo splitters and feeder cable SOFT GOODS - 4 x Red Drape panels - 1 x Black 40’x30’ back drop	TRUSSING & MOTORS & RIGGING - 15 x Sections of 8-ft 16” - 5 x Sections of 6-ft 16” - 15 x Sections of 4-ft 16” - 10 X Sections of 2-ft 16” - 50 x 45 deg. Link bars - 4 x Bars wuth cheese boughs for red drapes - 14 x Motors plus 1 spare - 1 x Motor control system complete - 1 x steel/shackles/ span set kit - 1 x Tech supply kit

Photographs by: Mark BT