In this episode of Sound Systems Podcast,Max Bernstein speaks withChris Lisle, Production Designer & Owner at CLLD, LLC and Executive Director at ECCHO Live, about the creative and operational world behind major live music events.
Chris shares his journey from discovering lighting design in the early 1990s to becoming the lighting designer for major tours, festivals, and events including Lollapalooza, Bonnaroo, Austin City Limits, and performances with artists such as Robert Plant, OneRepublic, Babyface, Alice Cooper, Keith Urban, and Miranda Lambert.
The conversation explores how massive festival productions are designed and executed, from creating flexible lighting systems for headliners to managing overnight changeovers between completely different productions. Chris also discusses the realities of touring life, including the physical and mental challenges faced by crews, and how Echo Live provides mental health, financial, and wellness resources for professionals working behind the scenes in live entertainment.
Key Takeaways:
- How Chris built a 35-year career in live entertainment from a first lighting job on tour.
- The role of a festival lighting designer and how major stages adapt to different artist productions.
- Why artists invest heavily in live production to create memorable fan experiences.
- The complexity of building and moving large-scale concert productions overnight.
- What life is really like for touring professionals working long hours on the road.
- The hidden teams behind live shows, including rigging, audio, video, lighting, staging, and local crews.
- The impact touring life can have on physical health, relationships, and mental wellbeing.
- How Echo Live supports entertainment professionals through counseling, financial coaching, and community programs.
- Why building a healthier live entertainment industry requires supporting the people behind the shows.
Noteworthy Quotes:
- “It was my aha moment in life where I discovered this amazing career that encompassed all these things that I love so much — travel, music, and creativity.” – Chris Lisle
- “Tour life is not for everybody. It can be one of the most rewarding, amazing careers, but it can also come with a lot of sacrifice.” – Chris Lisle
- “You become part of a second family. It’s a chosen family.” – Chris Lisle
- “People that do what we do often get lonely and depressed when the gig is done.” – Chris Lisle
- “The best clinical tool in your toolbox is your eyeball followed by your nose and your ears and your mouth.” – Chris Lisle
- “We wanted to make sure that money and finances were never an obstacle for those in our industry to be able to go and get the counseling and therapy that they need.” – Chris Lisle
Key Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction to Chris Lisle and his role at Lollapalooza
01:20 - Designing festival lighting systems and integrating headliner productions
03:54 - Managing supporting acts and festival stage changeovers
04:40 - Why artists are investing more in live production
09:44 - Working with major artists and designing major festivals
10:54 - The realities of long-term touring and life on the road
16:56 - Life on tour buses and the realities of crew life
20:09 - Mental health, substance abuse, and the challenges of touring
25:22 - Funding Echo Live and expanding wellness programs
29:35 - Closing thoughts
Disclosure: Portions of this episode (such as the introduction or promotional segments) use AI-generated voice narration produced under human editorial review.
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