Simon Barrington — tidy’s man of magic!
Reported by Kelly Dayus-Cook
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Submitted 20-10-05 13:27
Tidy have always been one of the UK’s leaders when it comes to production and making its events that extra bit special. It takes months of planning, design and preparation to pull off the huge pyrotechnic shows, stage designs and the Tidy Boys’ infamous intros. There’s one main man behind all of this magic and his name is Simon Barrington.
Simon started off his career with a theatre company progressing on to tour management and lighting design, touring with the likes of Faith No More and the Prodigy. His experience spans over 15 years and is renowned for being one of the best in his profession. We thought it about time he got a little recognition...
So Simon, let’s get the formalities out of the way, tell us where you’re from, your hobbies and which side your bread is buttered...?
I hail from a small village in the spectacular Dorset countryside, unfortunately not an area of the country well known for being big in the events industry other the occasional village fete or county show. As a result I have had to move and have become a Yorkshire man now. I just can’t keep away from places of natural beauty!
How did you get into being a Production Manager?
I have been doing production work for as long as I can remember. I started working on school plays when I was around 10 years old. A few years later I started running an annual charity rock concert for all the secondary schools in the town, where I worked with a very young Chris Martin of Coldplay. I have spent most of my professional life as a Lighting Designer for various bands, parties and corporate shows. It was through working with Gary Howard at Gatecrasher, I have finally ended up production managing events.
You have your own company now by the name of Production Eye, how long have you been running this and what made you start it up?
Production Eye has been running a few years now, coincidentally the same time as I have worked with tidy. When I started running the production for tidy, it was a new venture with a new team, so I felt the need to set up a company to deal with it all. The company has since grown, and we now look after a range of different events for people.
You’ve worked with tidy on their famous Weekenders and most recently the spectacular show for the 10th Birthday, how did it come about that you started working with tidy?
My first event with tidy was Magna 7. Tidy’s MD, Russell Pate, had just left Gatecrasher, and was after someone to look after the Production for him. Russell and I had forged a good working relationship in the 5 years we spent together at Gatecrasher.
You’ve done some massive tours and club nights in your time, such as Gatecrasher’s tours and Lord of the Dance, how do tidy’s nights compare to something like these?
That’s 2 very contrasting events, but interesting you should choose them. Gatecrasher as most people know, are renowned for their spectacular shows, which have always had very high Production Ethics. Gatecrasher has always been big into the ‘wow factor’, with vast amounts of truss work, lights, video, pyro and lasers. Their Millenium show is a prime example. Michael Flattley’s Lord of the Dance was a completely different affair, primarily for me in the sense that I was only a mere camera man, but I was also a dance show. The same show was performed night in night out across the world. With tidy I have been given the chance to draw on the experiences gained from both events. Tidy’s events are one off Dance Music events, which require the usual plethora of lights, strobes, video and lasers. Tidy also theme their events which give me the chance to create more theatrical stage sets and shows. With the Tidy Boys’ intros I have been able to go hell for leather on the theatrical side of the event!
With TW8 just completed, tell us what went into organising that event?
The Weekenders are always long and intense jobs from start to finish, and TW8 was no exception. I decided to take on a huge set building task, turning the main stage in a saloon bar complete with wooden walls and loads of furniture which had to be either made or sourced from somewhere. I also choose to use a whole new set of technical suppliers who had not worked the venue before or even been to a tidy event! We start working on the Weekenders around 4 months before the actually take place, but its always the last 2 or 3 weeks before the event when everything actually fits into place, and it becomes a full time project.
And from one massive event to another, on October 28th tidy are back in London at the awesome venue that is Heaven, what special things do you have up your sleeve for this one?
Heaven is one of my favourite clubs, I have had some awesome nights there both working and as a guest. It is probably the London venue I have frequented most over the years, and have worked on a huge variety of gigs there. The club already has a huge lighting rig and sound system, but in true tidy style, this party will be unique to all the other events at the club. We will be bringing in more lighting, and putting on a big stage production with lasers and video screens.
With live acts on the stage, can that hinder the amount of production you put on and around the stage and would you rather we didn't book any live acts?!
I’m not going to argue that live acts do take up valuable stage space in the smaller venues. And in those sorts of places I would much rather put in production that is going to have some use for the whole night, as opposed to the one hour when the act is on stage. To be honest I would encourage more live acts, but I mean proper live acts, and not just a couple of people stood behind keyboards. I come from a rock background, and I think bringing proper instruments into dance music should be encouraged. Although not everyone’s cup of tea, I think the Lab 4 Extreme project has a lot of mileage.
At tidy’s 10th Birthday there was the breath taking show from Lab4, what went into setting up that show?
Adam, Les and I are rockers at heart, and we have always talked about doing some big rock style part to their set. No one was expecting the whole drums, guitar and rapper thing. We wanted to keep it a real surprise, and make that part of the show really memorable. We went through many battles with Mcfly’s management who actually own the hydraulic staging we used. The very same staging was being used by Mcfly the afternoon after the event at the NEC for their Tour rehearsals. Not sure if Adam ever knew that he used the same drum riser as Mcfly. I must tell him, as I am sure he is a big fan!
Working events there must be a huge amount or hours put into it from all of your team, how do you manage to squeeze in some zzzzs?
The simple answer is we don’t most of the time. That’s not strictly true as it goes; I try and ensure that all the crew get the opportunity to get some time off, and an opportunity to get their heads down. I’m lucky, I can survive for a few weeks with minimal sleep, you kind of get use to it, and I think if you asked my parents they would tell you I probably did most of my sleeping as a child!
We hear there was a major case of a stomach bug at one Weekender, were you hit down with it?
If you were at the event, you must be one of the few people who don’t know the answer. Thanks Andy!
And finally if the readers have been inspired by this to get into the behind the scenes side of clubbing, what advice could you give them?
If you really want to do this for a living, you must really want to do it. It’s hard work, with long hours, but it can be very rewarding. Just remember the flight case labelled Glamour is always empty.
Pictures courtesy of Dan Reid. www.danreid.co.uk
tidy & Extreme Euphoria
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On:
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Friday 28th October 2005
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At:
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Heaven [map]
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From:
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10:00pm - 6:00am
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Cost:
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£15 advance tickets, more on the door
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Ticket Info:
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Ticket Outlets:
Cyberdog Camden – 0207 482 2842
Kinetic Records – 0207 323 5303
Mad Records – 0207 439 0707
Pure Groove – 0207 281 4877
Plastic Fantastic – 0207 240 8055
Information :
www.tidy.com/london
Tidy HQ – 01709 71 00 22
events@tidy.com
Extreme Euphoria – 08707 45 49 40
Lisa.b@mostwanteduk.com
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More:
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If you are not aware, you will be by the time you’ve finished reading this piece of literature! Tidy is gearing up for an out of this world return to the London.
Having forged a ground breaking relationship with Extreme Euphoria, sold more than 30,000 copies of tidy euphoria, and battered the island of Ibiza all summer; there was no other
better way of doing this. The date was secretly set in stone 3 months ago and in that time; both parties have been planning the most phenomenal clubbing experience London will have seen all year, which until now has been shrouded in secrecy.
Friday 28th October is a date that won’t be forgotten as tidy and its massive head south, to once again meet up with its new best friend. – Extreme Euphoria. Together, and with a DJ
line-up that beats anything anyone else has offered all year, the Heaven nightclub and its brand new fittings is set to be pushed beyond all boundaries. Tidy’s award winning production team are already working on the event, and so you can be sure Heaven will look like it’s never looked before.
30 DJs over 9 hours spread evenly across 5 dance floors!
In no particular order whatsoever, check out the plethora of magic 100% confirmed for this very special night!
Gaz West LIVE, Tidy Boys, Anne Savage, Andy Farley, Lee Haslam, Amber D, Rob Tissera, Nick Sentience, Paul Glazby, Paul Maddox, Ed Real, Jay Pidgeon, Kutski, James Lawson, GRH, Nickelle, Ian Hadassi, Blitzkrieg, Andy Smith, Pagano, Marc Antoine, Fearny, Trevor McLachlan, Gleave, Marcos (Euphonic) and Chico.
Tickets went on sale to the tidy FC last week, and as ever, their loyal massive have been snapping them up like no-one’s business! Tickets are priced at £15 plus any booking fee and
delivery. We will not hike the price as the weeks go on, but will limit the amount sold to prevent an uncomfortable club on the night. There is no question about whether this event will sell out – IT WILL!
You’ve two places to purchase your ticket online, so make your choice and get them now.
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Other Features By Kelly Dayus-Cook:
Chris Hoff? Who is he? Find out before he graces the decks at tidy’s New Year Weekender!
The views and opinions expressed in this review are strictly those of the author only for which HarderFaster will not be held responsible or liable.
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