Appetite for Construction
Stabler Arena, Bethlehem, PA
Friday November 16, 2007
Local Crew

I had the privilege of working local crew for this show so I decided to do a sort of photo journal about the experience to help others understand what goes on before and after a show. Before I start, my disclaimer is that I used my cheap camera and since I was working, I could not take a lot of time to get the best pictures. Stick around to the end of the article for photos taken during the concert with a better camera.

The work began at about 9 AM with unloading the first of two tractor-trailers. Before we began, the tour crew, normally holding some form of caffeinated beverage, assessed the stage area so they would have a better understanding how to set up for the show. Many of the crew looked liked they just woke up. They have long days as the load in begins early in the morning and load out ends early the next morning.

I soon began to help set up the lights. The tour guys on the lighting crew were very nice and seemed to really enjoy their work. The first photo was taken as the lighting was being set up to be placed in front of the stage.

My job for the day consisted of mainly working to put together all of the lights for the back of the stage. Each day, large metal truss's come off of the truck in shorter pieces, and the crew bolts them together. Then the lights come out of the cases and get hung in the appropriate location. Each light has a number and it would not be good to put them in the wrong place on the lighting truss!! (Though I have always wanted to switch them, just once, to see what would happen.)

This is the truss in the very back of the stage that holds up the big Relient K banner, and also the Switchfoot star.

My favorite part of the day was helping to put the big Switchfoot "S" together. Check out the wrenches!

This is Taylor who was featured in a "Daily Foot", the Switchfoot tour blog. He was organizing the computerized light display for the arena. Each night he looks at the venue layout to set up the lights for the size of the venue. For instance, when the lights shine on the audience, it will be different in a large arena like Stabler Arena versus a smaller club venue like Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City. The local crew asked him a bunch of questions about lighting, and then he graciously let me take his picture.

Lunch hit closer to 1 PM, and after lunch there was not as much for the local crew to do, so I took some random shots backstage. Note the Relient K case that made it through the bus fire on the Pennsylvania Turnpike this past summer soon after they left the Creation East festival.

This is one of many signs posted backstage to help the tour folks know where everything is. Each day they walk into a venue, it is important to know where the dressing rooms and catering are located, among other areas. It must be interesting when you wake up in a different city and getting acclimated to a different venue each day.

The line outside was not too long at about 2 PM.

Later, back inside the arena, sound check was taking place.

In the meantime, I interviewed Relient K in the catering room and soon after the local crew had dinner while the crowds began streaming in. The venue provided merch and security workers, so during the show I took some pictures of the concert (see below) and enjoyed the music.

As soon as the show was over, the local crew scurried back to the stage to tear it all down. Most times it takes less time to tear down since some of the equipment for the opening bands is already put away.

Taken from the stage looking down. All of this stuff needs to go back on the trucks.

Soon the trucks were loaded, ready to be driven to New York City. Since the show started early, we left early, about midnight.

Below are some pictures of Switchfoot taken during their set. Note the lighting!