EAW's Martyn "Ferrit" Rowe is providing us with live reports as an EAW UMX.96 digital console makes its inaugural tour with Foreigner and FOH Engineer Don Dodge.

Mansfield, Massachusetts
August 11, 2007

Today Foreigner joined up with Styx and Def Leppard, with Foreigner and Styx taking turns to play the opening or middle slot. Today was Foreigner's turn to open. At 4 p.m., after all the semis have unloaded and lights, sound, video and staging crews have done their thing, Def Leppard appears for a soundcheck after a 10-day break.

At about 5, it's time for Foreigner to set up - their stage setup is on rolling risers that have been pre-built backstage. In less than 10 minutes, there's very quick line check, and here’s where the comprehensive channel metering on the UMX.96 comes into play. Don Dodge is able to rapidly confirm visually every channel.

Doors open and at 7 p.m. the intro is rolling. Tonight’s set is a 50-minute version, and before I realize it, it’s over. The crew has 20 minuntes to get Foreigner off and Styx set up (which they manage with a minute to spare).

The Foreigner crew get their truck loaded, and we get to see some of the Def Leppard set before we leave to beat the traffic. Tomorrow: Hershey, PA.