Ne-Yo Champagne & Roses Tour
TPi Magazine join the Axiom team on the road at AO Arena Manchester
Location Various UK Arena Venues Client SJM Concerts
Independent production companies in the UK unite with US touring personnel to present a show comprising electrifying showmanship, timeless hits, and modern technology to ensure an unforgettable experience for fans.
This is an excerpt from an Article written by Jacob Waite from TPi Magazine when he visited the Ne-Yo team in Manchester, you can read the full article on the TPi Website Here
In a landscape where the journey from bedroom musician to arena headliner can happen seemingly overnight with the right viral hook, NE-YO stands as a beacon of multi-award-winning talent – delivering 100 minutes of unbridled showmanship backed by cutting-edge production. From electrifying choreography to captivating storytelling, every moment of the Champagne & Roses Tour is a testament to NE-YO’s artistry. With a setlist boasting 26 era-defining hits, the audience is taken on a journey through the evolution of modern, contemporary music.
After successfully completing several UK arena pitstops, TPi accompanied the production crew for the last UK show of their Champagne & Roses Tour before moving on to Ireland and Europe. Sadly, this leg of the tour was overshadowed by the heartbreaking loss of long-time Production Manager, Joe Falcón, who had been with the NE-YO camp for over 12 years, touring intermittently since 2012s R.E.D. Tour.
Insightful, gracious, and incredibly warm, Falcon regaled TPi with stories from the road and underlined the key to fostering a successful and harmonious environment backstage: “My motto is ‘never problems, only solutions’ – that’s what I’ve learned in my years on the road and how I approach every show day. This run has been great; it’s been a blessing to have a good team to work with in the UK, and everybody shares the same philosophy of hard work and togetherness… that’s where my heart is. I’ve been in this industry for many years – I started out watching my dad load trucks as a kid – it is what I love to do, so when you find a team that unites and all aims for the same thing, which is for the audience have a great time, it’s a blessing to be a part of.”
“We’re privileged to work with an artist like NE-YO, whose authenticity and genuine passion for performance shine through every aspect of his show. It’s a production that resonates deeply with fans, and the innovative touches we’ve added to refresh his extensive catalogue ensure an unforgettable experience for diehard enthusiasts.”
UK Production Manager, Peter Shorten of Axiom Events collaborated with Advance Production Manager, Joe Stenhouse of SJM Concerts to facilitate the adaptation and logistics of a pre-existing US amphitheatre design on a grander scale. Their technical suppliers of choice included proudly independent vendors, and primarily Northern firms – 3D Productions (audio), All Access Staging UK (staging and kabuki), Axiom (lighting, rigging and production management), BPM SFX (lasers and special effects), John Henrys (backline), LED SHED (video), SJM Concerts (promoter), and TRUCKINGBY. “It’s nice to see a full team of independent companies working on a show of this scale,” Shorten remarked. With no production rehearsals as a collective under their belt, the team’s biggest challenge was being ready for the first show, with Production Designer, Daunte Kenner flying into Leeds for five hours of technical preparation in between shows. “His input was incredibly useful,” Shorten said. “We always knew that time was going to be our biggest hurdle on this run; by day two we were already a smooth operation.”
Another logistical challenge facing Stage Manager, Rich Gallagher and the team was imposed by the design of support act, Mario’s LED screen. “NE-YO has a big reveal moment at the top of the show, so there is a kabuki downstage of the risers that cuts off half the stage. To overcome this, we specified the use of an 8m by 2m screen, which we can fly into the grids during the changeover where it’s out of sight,” Shorten explained. “However, during the Utilita Arena Cardiff and Resorts World Arena
Birmingham dates, where clearance height is at a premium, LED SHED was able to swiftly strike the screen for a smooth changeover.”
Reflecting on the success of the campaign, with extra dates added as the tour progressed, SJM Concerts’ Stenhouse noted: “This show has exceeded everyone’s expectations, which as a promoter you can’t complain about.”
Photo Credits : Luke Dyson
www.neyothegentleman.com
www.gigsandtours.com
www.3dproductions.co.uk
www.allaccessuk.com
www.axiomevents.co.uk
www.brianyeardley.com
www.bpm-sfx.com
www.johnhenrys.com
www.ledshed.com