PRODUCTION PROFILE
DANIEL CAESAR: CASE STUDY 01 One of Canada’s most successful independent artists, Daniel Caesar embarks on an intimate global tour, supported by a core crew of creatives, as TPi’s Jacob Waite discovers…
Following his GRAMMY Award-winning breakout album, Freudian in 2017, the wholly independent Toronto-born singer-songwriter has collaborated with Pharrell Williams, John Mayer and Jacob Collier, to name but a few. As well as receiving critical acclaim, Caesar has garnered the plaudits of fellow Canadians, Shawn Mendes and Justin Bieber – the latter witnessed regularly at a string of the singer’s sold-out, hometown shows in recent years. Returning to centre stage with his follow-up album and worldwide tour, CASE STUDY 01, Caesar brings international concert goers closer than ever before…
Keeks began. “It’s been a strange adaptation process, as I’m so used to being behind the console and wearing multiple hats. However, there are so many moving parts as DC’s PM that I’m never lacking for something to do.” Their suppliers of choice comprised audio vendor, PRG as well as lighting and video vendor, Solotech in the US and Canada. In the UK and Europe, Eighth Day Sound, Video Screen Services (VSS) and Christie Lites provided the touring tech and video personnel. While 24/7 Productions added show design expertise. “I have a longstanding relationship with PRG, particularly Erik Paquette and Randall Knight from the Toronto branch. I met Erik when we were both roughing it and figuring out our paths in the industry, so PRG has always been an ally of sorts,” Keeks reminisced. “They’ve always been incredibly accommodating and helpful, and I know that if I need to make a lastminute change or have a replacement sent to me, they’ll come through 100% of the time,” he commented. “Having that trust and reliability is so important when time is against you. The packaging is also a big benefit; it’s streamlined and condensed without compromising on organisation or our needs. This is a big asset when a few cases could be the difference between how many trucks you need to have on the tour.” This tour marked Keeks’ first time directly involved with visual supplier, Solotech. “Our Account Manager, Robert Kennedy, has been great to work with and always comes through for our visual needs. It’s been a really pleasant tour and I never need to worry if something is going to get done.” The PM recounted the biggest challenge of this tour was having to fit the
PRODUCTION A staple of the DC touring camp, Mike Rowland linked up with Daniel Caesar during the height of the artist’s acescent, during his first wave of GRAMMY Award nominations. Two years on, the Tour Manager and Monitor Engineer told TPi his story. “When I first came in, I was doing monitors, gradually assuming the PM role, before transitioning to a TM role. As a TM, PM and Monitor Engineer, I was keeping incredibly busy as he quickly gained more popularity. Having a good professional dynamic of on-stage mixing and off-stage managing, there came a point where I was stretched and the team needed to expand so I could focus on the TM role.” Rowland’s first appointment as TM was to bring in long-time friend and successor to the PM mantle, Karen ‘Keeks’ Weigold. Having known each other for a number of years, this venture marked the first time the duo had toured together. “This is the first time I’ve been on tour and not mixed,” 63
