Using the same design techniques as the 2005 event, LD's technical and creative staff again raised the bar on July 4th concert events across the country. Using six HES DL.2 digital lighting instruments on custom-designed screens, Vari-Lites, and StudioCommand 1200's, LD lit up the stage for the broadcast performance. All this was controlled by an MA Lighting grandMA console. Audio consisted of twenty EV X-Line XVLS main speakers, EAW 940 subs, and EV-XV front fills. The acts supplied their own mix consoles but the monitor mix was a Yamaha LS9 while the broadcast mix was through a Midas Venice 320. Content for the video montage was edited using Magix Video Edit-Pro 14 while the 3D renders of the set design were completed with a combination of AutoCAD, WYSIWYG and 3D Studiomax 9 Design.

Main Stage at Chevy's Freedom Over Texas near downtown Houston, Texas

The digital lighting system included six HES DL.2 intelligent fixtures.

The panorama image is an MPEG movie played through the on-board media servers in the instruments.

The lighting system switched between 1hX5w and 2hX3w screen configurations via presets. DL.2's consist of a video projector on a moving yoke, on-board media server, and high-res camera.

The basic stage was created in AutoCAD 2008, the lighting rig was designed in WYSIWYG along with basic programming. The two designs were combined in 3D Studiomax 9 Design where the graphics were added to complete the stage. The actual media used in the show was mapped to the virtual screens to show the show producer exactly what the show would look like.

Note the screen configuration change from the previous image.

Show effects media was changed in real-time and on-the-fly according to the feel of the music.

The truss was internally lit via Coemar LED lights which are low power consuming with great light output. They can also change to any color and strobe.

LDS had the screens custom built for the event. All elements had to be able to withstand inclement weather including wind gusts.

Shot of the event only hours after a rain deluge.

Main stage during first act.

Night-before programming begins with show content.

Lighting design by John Dickson and AJ Freysteinson
Programming by AJ Freysteinson
Broadcast audio & systems engineering by Kelly Jones
Monitor mix by Ray Shannon
All photos by Robert Behounek
Computer renders by Scott Justis