Six High End Systems (HES)Showgun automated luminaires recently rocked the rig on two recent KISS concerts. Performance Lighting of Elk Grove Village, IL, supplied the production, which also included 60 HES Studio Beams.

Russell Armentrout, president of Performance Lighting, says, “When we powered up the Showguns for the first time, everyone’s jaw dropped. The whole production staff, including Mr. (Gene) Simmons, was very much impressed by the fixture. And the Showguns are just as easy to hang as any automated luminaire.”

Longtime KISS LD Bryan Hartley designed the system, while lighting director Sean “Motley” Hackett programmed and operated the concerts July 20 in Sault Ste. Marie, MI, and July 21 at RockFest 2007 in Cadott, WI.

Hartley says, “I hung the Showguns stage left and stage right of the KISS sign to fill the gap where video screens used to be. By placing them here they became very ‘in your face,’ which is definitely where this band is. This way I could get air and stage focuses. Showguns are awesome. They are easy to set up, easy to power and for the weight, give you great bang for your buck. I love the LED tracking system as it makes them look unique. I love how you could do slow CMY fades, but the color would react very quickly so it also made it great for bump and grind moves.”