This is actually what I really want to do for a living. Once I'm out of college, not that I'm in yet, I want to be an LD. Bu I really want to handle the lights, too, and run the board. Oh the possibilities!
Ummmm... It's ok if you don't mind working 24 hours a day 7 days a week for a few years.. Oh yea, and having people say "No way I'm climbing up there!" to you all the time. It's actually very exciting, but it does age you about two years for each one that passes.... I spent about 15 years on the
road. I remember a 90 city in 90 days stretch that about killed me. Would I do it again? In a heartbeat! Best recommended between the ages of 20 and 30. (long long time ago for me.) Still, the stories you can tell will last you the rest of your life! (of course no one will believe them though!)
As far as U2's carbon footprint... Wasn't that the "Big
Foot" tour?
EDIT:
As far as the movers go, no, not ok to get any part wet! (There is more electronics in the
base.) Problem is, life doesn't follow the manufacturer's instructions. You do everything you can, but the world of outdoor concerts requires you to have mud slung in your
face once in a while. I remember watching in horror as a fierce storm hit a show I was doing on an island near Harrisburg PA. (Up the river from TMI) We were supplying four Super Troupers. I watched the top
level of a
scaffold (NOT supplied by me) lift off and
drop two of them 30 feet down, right on top of the sound and lighting boards. Two of my guys with them. Three broken ribs. Some days you eat the bear, some days the bear eats you.