Hans Zimmer MJR’s Nathan Stone with Hans
Live Learning Curve
Z
immer’s escape from the studio to the stage has been hugely successful, but it hasn’t been without its challenges for the composer. Says Kofsky, “Stage fright was always an issue for Hans, but his nervous energy carries him and is part of what makes him so endearing on stage. “I remember when Hans had a meeting with Paul McCartney; he mentioned his stage fright and Paul said, ‘Just remember they all love you’” Baggott has been overseeing the production since the Hammersmith shows. He says the lights and video play a key role in creating the atmosphere on stage: at times an intense intimate rock performance and at others an epic scene with all 60 performers in full flight.
Contributors
50
Hugs for Irish promoter Noel McHale and tour co-producer Harvey Goldsmith
“The lighting is a very intricate rock and roll set-up with more than 500 cues programmed, and it is a pretty huge lighting rig with over 200 fixtures above the stage,” says Baggott. Lindsay Scoggins was commissioned to create custom video content for the 2017 tour, which is shown on the 10x20metre LED video screen during the shows. “The video is all synched with the music, and Marc worked with Lindsay to create some really interesting visuals,” says Baggott. The stage system has also been updated for the 2017 tour, consisting of a custom-built riser system assembled by Tait Towers. “It looks much better. Also from an operations point of view, it has made a big difference with timing and it takes up much less truck space,” says Baggott. The show packs down into nine trucks, while six buses transport the touring party of 60 people that includes 30 crew, 20 band members and 10 managerial staff. A new orchestra
Top row: Jim Baggott, production director; Marc Geiger, WME; Tony Goldring, WME; Harvey Goldsmith; Laszlo Hegedus, Multimedia Concerts; Steve Kofsky, Zimmer’s business partner. Bottom row: Noel McHale, MCD Productions; Christoph Scholz, Semmel Concerts; Nathan Stone, MJR; Petr Suchánek, JVS Group; Clemente Zard, Vivo Concerti.
IQ Magazine July 2017