PRODUCTION PROFILE: Foals
FOALS: THE MIDAS TOUCH INTELLIGENT INDIE ROYALTY, FOALS, ARE RENOWNED FOR TWO THINGS: DROPPING ADDICTIVE ALBUMS AND DELIVERING STUNNING GUITAR-DRIVEN LIVE PERFORMANCES THAT LEAVE CRITICS IN NO DOUBT OF THEIR MUSICIANSHIP. UNDER THE WING OF NEW PRODUCTION MANAGER, MARK JONES, THE BAND AND THEIR ROAD CREW STEP UP TO ENGAGE THE NATION’S ARENA CROWDS WITH IMPRESSIVE EFFECT. TPi’s KELLY MURRAY SAW THE SHOW IN ACTION. Production Manager Mark Jones is the newest member of Foals’ touring crew. Considering his brief time with the band so far - 2.5 months at the time of interview he’s remarkably calm and inviting. He said: “I started out working in studios as an engineer and then moved into mixing live shows. Over the years I gradually drifted into the role of a production manager, which is what I primarily work as now, occasionally taking on tour manager work. “Over the last few months, the band were looking for a production manager and I was contacted by Q Prime, Foals’ management company. Most of the suppliers on this tour are the same ones I would normally use, however it’s my first time working with both Lite Alternative and ER Productions but I’m very pleased with their service, crew and gear. 58
“Putting the tour together was challenging, primarily because of time constraints over the Christmas period. I started work on this in early December, when Maarten Cobbaut came back as their tour manager. Thankfully our LD Davy Sherwin put together a show design that ensured a reasonable and smooth transition from inception to live shows, and Michael Oates deserves a special mention too for helping to ensure that everything on the lighting side came together so well,” he added. With bussing provided by Beat the Street and trucking from Fly By Nite, the tour moved into the Backstage Centre for production rehearsals. As they were on tour in Europe, only two full days were spent programming. The third and final day culminated in full technical rehearsals, during which the band reviewed content and finalised the look.