Bandit Lites is supplying lighting production and crew to Production North for the second X-Factor tour.

This builds on the success of last year's debut event, seeing a greatly expanded itinerary featuring a full month of sold-out UK arenas. Bandit's project manager Lester Cobrin comments, "The TV show pulled in over 10 million viewers each week so it was no surprise that the demand for tickets on this tour would exceed last year hence the 100% increase in the number of shows".

Once again, Bandit is working with lighting director and programmer Arturo Ollandini, who collaborated closely with lighting and set designer Peter Barnes and show producer Tim Byrne.

The set mimics Simon Cowell's hugely successful talent seeking TV series. This year the tour features an exceptionally strong line up of the final eight contestants - including winner Shayne Ward and runners up Andy Abraham and Journey South. Further dynamics are added to the 2006 show with a troupe of dancers.

The overhead rig is dominated by a large, gently raked, ‘X' shaped truss skeleton, constructed from Tomcat 12" trussing, and clad in red and white gauze fabric supplied by Hangman - who supplied all the soft goods. This is mirrored on the floor by a scenic X with a similar rake angle on the opposite axis. Upstage and to the sides are two chevron shaped set pieces, which neatly frame the side-stage, continuing the lines of the stage's ‘X' geometry and highlighted with Pulsar ChromaBanks.

Below the flown ‘X' is a diamond shaped LED video screen - supplied by XL Video, which is also flanked by ChromaBanks attached to scenic surround panels. The screen is primarily used for IMAG during the show, from a live camera mix directed by Billy Robinson.

Rigged onto the X and rear truss are Martin MAC 2Ks and MAC 600s, and these are the main stage and set workhorse fixtures. The stage floor features more MAC 2Ks and 600s. The set ‘X' on the floor features over 100 in-built Raylites.

To maintain the sight lines of the stage and its various X's, front light on the performers is primarily provided from four Lycian 2K follow spots.

All lighting - set and stage - is controlled by Ollandini - running a WholeHog II console. "As always with Bandit, the kit was impeccably prepped" he says. Bandit crew members are Steve Rusling, Rob Starksfield and Martin Garnish.

A major challenge was the short production rehearsal period, in which they had to create a show with immediate high visual impact to satisfy the audience and to keep their attention for two and a half hours. This is different and more pressurised than a conventional show style with a gradual build up throughout the set via different tempos and moods to a high impact finale.

This fast paced show is divided into two halves. The first features solo performances by five of the eight X-Factor finalists in reverse order, plus special guests and an audience competition slot.

The second half kicks off with Journey South, leading into Andy Abrahams and then is closed by Shayne Ward, before the grand finale starring all performers and dancers. "Each performance needed its own visual style and looks" says Ollandini. This equalled lots of intense idea bouncing and programming to achieve in just 2 days of production rehearsals at Newcastle's Metroradio Arena.

The different styles and personalities of the performers aided the process to some degree, and from an expediently sized lighting rig for an arena show, Ollandini has created a colourful, adrenalised two hours of entertainment, peppered with a selection of optical surprises for the final stages.

The tour is being production managed by Sarah Hollis for Production North, with audio supplied by Wigwam and pyros - also new for 2006 - from Pyro Junkies.