PRG SETS THE STAGE

For more than 30 years, PRG (Production Resource Group) has been providing state-of-the-art lighting, audio, video, rigging, crews and digital services for tours and residencies mounted by the likes of Adele, Beyoncé, Coldplay, Carrie Underwood, Madonna, Lizzo and Billie Eilish, along with such other major entertainment events as the Olympics, Coachella and even Rihanna’s gravity-defying Super Bowl LVII halftime performance.

Given how the company has become synonymous with production around the world, you might be surprised to find out that it’s artist development PRG considers its secret weapon in setting its own stage for success.

We asked Randy Hutson, CEO of Music, and account exec Brooke Hershey how the company demonstrates its commitment to supporting new and developing artists.

PRG has enjoyed a longstanding relationship with Billie Eilish—what can you tell us about taking an artist from career nascency to stadium status?

Brooke Hershey: Our partnership with Billie is a testament to PRG’s adaptability, agility and capacity to scale to accommodate the artist’s vision. We’ve been working with her since right before her 2018 rise to superstardom and helped transition her sold-out theater shows to bigger venues. We’re not just a provider of equipment; PRG is a dedicated collaborator in shaping the artist’s live experience.

What emerging artists are you currently working with?

Hershey: One of our recent success stories is Ava Max. We provided lighting and audio support for her inaugural North American tour this summer. It was incredible to witness how our equipment helped transform her massive streaming and online popularity into live shows. We’re also looking forward to working on Jack Harlow’s No Place Like Home: The Kentucky Tour.

Can you share some examples of PRG’s scaling an artist’s live production?

Randy Hutson: One notable example is a recent collaboration with rapper NF. He had a bold, dystopian vision for his live show, and our artist-development team worked closely with production to understand the aesthetic, goals and needs and then provide lighting, audio, video and labor for the tour. Another example is Daniel Caesar, whom we’ve worked with for many years. For the current tour, we designed custom LED touring carts using our proprietary InfiniForm product, which saved space on trucks and reduced strain on the crew. That confirmed exactly how strategic and creative thinking can transform an artist’s vision into reality.

Last year PRG opened the 10,000-square-foot Starwood Rehearsals outside Nashville. How has that contributed to your artist-development efforts?

Hutson: Starwood Rehearsals is a crucial component of our holistic approach to artist development. It provides both emerging and established acts with a state-of-the-art facility so they can fine-tune their performances, experiment with new ideas and ultimately take their live show to new heights. Moreover, it serves as a hub for the next generation of industry professionals, offering them hands-on experience with cutting-edge technology and the opportunity to learn from seasoned experts. The convergence of talent and expertise is where the future of the music industry takes shape.