Outdoor music and custom-bike festival / Near Ripley, Derbyshire
Rock and Blues Custom Show Stage 2024
The 2024 Rock and Blues Custom Show placed the 8m x 6m main stage on a pronounced showground slope. HeathTech delivered and levelled the stage before the public occupied the surrounding site, then returned for the lighting and video build and operated both systems across the live-band programme.
Project overview
A stage plan built around the event and its site.
The main stage carried bands across the festival weekend and needed the depth of the 8m x 6m format for performers, backline and the technical design. A rear video wall formed part of the visual setup, with stage lighting arranged around it and the covered performance opening.
HeathTech supplied the stage and handled the lighting and video design, rigging and operation. JnS Sound and Lighting provided the technical equipment, so the delivery sequence separated the structural stage work from the later production installation.
- Event
- Outdoor music and custom-bike festival
- Location
- Near Ripley, Derbyshire
- Project date
- 24-28 July 2024
- Audience
- Approximately 1,000
- Hire period
- Early delivery, technical setup, two show days and load-out
- Stage configuration
- 8m x 6m trailer stage with a rear video wall and lighting rig, individually levelled across a steep grass slope
Site and access
Working with the conditions on the ground.
The stage area sat on a substantial grass slope reached by narrow, stony farm lanes. Once the trailer was in position, the difference in ground level across the footprint meant that a routine leg setting would not produce a level deck. At the downhill side the stage deck sat close to two metres above the ground, while the uphill side was just over one metre.
Delivery and setup
A practical route from arrival to show-ready.
The stage was delivered on 24 July, ahead of the main technical setup and before the public occupied the surrounding area. Each support was adjusted to bring the deck level across the slope, and the stage was checked before being left ready for the next production phase.
Lighting and video were installed the following day with the roof lowered, even though other areas of the site were already open. HeathTech then operated the show across the two live days and completed load-out after the festival, keeping the heavy vehicle movement and structural work away from the busiest public period.
