ON THE ROAD: George Michael
Below: As Michael sang, striking visual graphics gradually expanded filling the WinVision display pannels; the star’s personal Head of Security, Darren Gilchrist of Celebrity Protection Ltd; Head of Security for crowd safety at the Ahoy venue, Michel Noordeloos of The Security Group.
TOURING LOGISTICS Visiting over 15 countries, Symphonica required firms in charge of logistics and travel to be efficient in order for the tour to run as smoothly as possible. Bussing was handled by Phoenix Bussing, with Redburn Transfer Limited providing all trucking services. Freighting was handed over to Rock-it Cargo
and travel responsibility was down to Media Travel. Meanwhile, backline rental services were provided by the two-time TPi Award winning Music Bank. Chapman Freebourne supplied charter planes. Catering played an equally important part of team moral on the road and according to Production Manager Gardner, who has enjoyed Popcorn’s catering services on both Jamiroquai (which began in March 2011) and Michael’s tour, he could think of no better company to feed such a hardworking crew.
SECURING A STAR While Stagesafe provided the health and safety aspects of the tour, The Security Company provided arena security. Gerard VanDuykeren is the Chief Executive Officer of ICMS, a holding company for Showsec and The Security Company. VanDuykeren is well versed in the importance of live event security. For this Dutch date, The Security Company
(TSC), brought in Michel Noordeloos at the Ahoy venue as Head of Security for crowd safety. For the Rotterdam show at Ahoy, the 12000 fans required 65 security personal on site, headed by Noordeloos. For VanDuykeren, the main challenges for
his security staff at an event of this nature is Ingress speed (late arrival), and the evacuation protocol due to the seated nature of this orchestral performance (with seating additions added in the main standing area), there
52 • TPi NOVEMBER 2011
are more obstacles if a fast evacuation was necessary. VanDuykeren explained the challenges TSC
needed vital awareness of during the show: “Adjusting search policy to audience profile, risk assessment and sufficient staffing to handle late ingress.” Preshow meetings were held to determine adjusted evacuation protocol. Yet it’s not a case of straightforward arena
security with an artist like George Michael. The star’s personal head of Security is Darren Gilchrist of Celebrity Protection Ltd.
SYMPHONICA SUCEEDING Intimate is certainly a fitting way to describe Michael’s performance in Ahoy. The two sold out nights at the Rotterdam venue had a particularly emotional connection for the critically acclaimed singer. He addressed his appreciative audience with
the revelation that following the success of the first gig at Ahoy, his vision of Symphonica had finally come true. Under the spotlight, facing his fans, Michael stated: “I’ve never been more excited for a show in my whole career,”
“We’re very lucky in that we have a great crew. It’s probably the best touring crew I’ve ever been with, across the board.”
“This is my first time working for George as
far as touring is concerned,” said Gilchrist. “But I’ve been in the business a long time and have worked for Taylor Swift, Pele and Mariah Carey. I have to admit, when George sings Russian Roulette, that’s a highlight every night.” In the tour’s early stages, a show in Zagreb,
Croatia, (Michael’s first show in the country), saw him greeted by 12,000 fans at a sold out arena. “One fan during this show became particularly excitable,” Gilchrist giggled. “He wanted everybody in the arena to see him so he got up and ran towards the stage but fell, uncomfortably. I had to cover him up as he was trying to protect his manhood! Thankfully on George’s tour that’s very rare; he has fans from all generations and whole families, because he creates a very intimate concert.”
generating a standing ovation. As the live production clearly enabled a
touring dream to become reality for Michael, Tour Director Ken Watts concluded with a comment on the personal atmosphere behind this unique, and somewhat spectacular production. “We’re very lucky in that we have a great crew. It’s probably the best touring crew I’ve ever been on the road with, across the board. “And I don’t think I’ve ever been able to say
that before. They’re very positive and pro-active people. We have HOD meetings and it’s not very rock n roll - people want to be involved in the whole process.” TPi
Official photos:Caroline True
www.georgemichael.com
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