String Cheese Incident (SCI), an iconic American jam band known for its eclectic mix of genres and unpredictable live performances, celebrated its 30th anniversary with a series of New Year’s Eve concerts in Oakland, California. These concerts were significant as they were the first live events globally to feature the brand new Martin MAC One compact moving head fixtures provided by Christie Lites. The band wanted to make this year’s edition special and turned to veteran lighting designers Michael Smalley and Chris Ruppel to design a versatile and powerful lighting rig that could support the band’s diverse sets and heighten the impact of the momentous occasion.
Smalley and Ruppel designed a lighting rig exclusively featuring cutting-edge Martin instruments, including the world premiere appearance of the Martin MAC One compact moving head fixtures. The rig included 26 MAC Ultra Performance fixtures, 6 MAC Ultra Wash fixtures, 24 ERA 800 Performance fixtures, 14 MAC Aura PXL fixtures, 8 MAC Aura XB fixtures, and 32 brand new MAC One compact moving head fixtures.
The design focused on versatility, allowing each fixture to perform a wide range of roles and provide various special effects and output levels to create a natural texture between the different fixtures used. The Martin fixtures were chosen for their powerful output, reliable performance, and innovative design. The MAC Ultra Performance and ERA 800 Performance fixtures were used as profiles for different outputs, layering together nicely. The MAC Ultra Wash fixtures provided wide-angle supportive lighting, essential for presenting the show. The MAC Aura PXL fixtures offered individual pixel control, paired with the Martin P3 control system to implement video effects and crossfade with the lighting. The MAC One compact moving head fixtures, debuting at the concerts, featured a Fresnel lens for a traditional par can output with an organic feel, and Aura technology for prismatic effects. They filled negative space without overpowering the stage with light, providing a dynamic range of looks.
The Martin P3 control system was utilized to unlock the potential of every P3-compatible fixture in the rig, saving hours of programming and tweaking show files. The MVR support in P3 allowed for seamless integration from design to a usable show file in just 15 minutes.
Smalley and Ruppel’s innovative use of the Martin fixtures and the P3 control system resulted in a stunning visual experience that enhanced the band’s eclectic performances. The new MAC One fixtures, in particular, provided a unique and versatile lighting solution that filled the stage with dynamic visuals.
“The MAC One is wonderful,” said Smalley. “The Fresnel lens allows you to have a traditional par can output, it doesn’t feel like an LED. It feels organic. The Aura technology gives the face a prismatic effect, providing eye-candy without using the actual beam output.”
Ruppel praised the MAC One’s camera-friendly design, stating, “These fixtures look really nice on camera in the background. You can aim them directly at the camera and they don’t blow out the lens. They fill in the dark spaces, giving a sense of depth. It’s such a versatile fixture, perfect for rock shows or any other presentation.”
The P3 control system’s efficiency and user-friendliness also played a crucial role. “With MVR support, we went from design to a usable show file in 15 minutes,” said Ruppel. “The system runs on the same network as the lights, maximizing our ability to use the rig quickly without spending hours on tech support.”
Smalley emphasized the importance of his relationship with Martin, stating, “I’ve been a huge Martin lighting fan for my entire career. Martin supports real artists and makes lights geared towards creators. This New Year’s Eve run of shows was the best I’ve ever felt about running lights. There was a sense of calm, ease, and stability that allowed me to be right in the moment. With the Martin rig, I have the confidence to just do my job and everything is awesome.”
The successful implementation of the Martin lighting rig at SCI’s 30th anniversary New Year’s Eve concerts ensured that the band and its fans enjoyed a memorable and visually stunning experience, solidifying the band’s reputation for delivering spectacular live shows.
