The Live Lounge
I grew up listening to Radio 1 in the Uk. Their DJ’s, jingles and playlists were the background sound to most of what I got up to. They have a feature which showcases bands called The Live Lounge. It’s well known and as an artist it’s an accolade to be asked to perform on the show. Over the last three weekends I smiled as I set up what I considered my own version of The Live Lounge.
I have already recounted in my blog about starting commentating. In the last few years I have travelled all over the world commentating and speaking at races. But, never have I commentated in the lounge. My lounge. At home.
The Coronavirus Pandemic has made us all look at how we do things and so as needs dictated there was no question that commentary on the Virtual Tour de France was going to be live from anywhere other than my lounge at home. There was never any thought of going to Paris to be with the team at ASO, or to head to Edinburgh to join the Zwift team. If we were going to bring a worldwide commentary to fans then my dining table was going to be turned into a commentary position.
The 3 weeks prior to the first of six stages was a blur of Zoom calls. A return to loads of emails, thought, planning and an increasing feeling of excitement and I don’t mind admitting, nervousness.
When the Tour de France decide to do something, they throw everything they can at it to make it a success. Normally in July I sit in the Head Producers seat of the Super Signal of the Tour de France and direct what data the fans see, what interviews and features are shown, support how the story evolves, help the team look at the 3D mapping to find out where the Maillot Jaune is compared to his rivals. I enjoy being part of the Tour de France team to help them create their vision. In that role, I talk to Matt Keenan and Robbie McEwan into their headsets giving them bits of information, keeping them going on slow stages and cueing them on what I am about to show. I do the same for broadcasters worldwide.
So in July, I normally put my commentary hat to one side and help to bring the Tour to life for thousands of fans across the globe. Not this July.
In the 3 weeks leading up to the Virtual Tour de France I used that knowledge to help Zwift and ASO create the production that I then commentated on at the weekend. It brought my mind back to working, it gave me a purpose. It got me back working with teams in different locations and I loved every minute of it.
Technology now is incredible. In the weeks leading up to the first commentary I pulled together all the kit to create my Live Lounge. Luckily I had most of it. I bought a new commentators headset and mic which I decided was a good investment. I needed advice on what to buy and I could only think of one person to ask. Years ago I went on a course where were taught how to use microphones. You may laugh and say, you just talk into it. But there actually is a science to it. So when buying this headset I messaged the guy that took that course. Tim Dalton is a whizz. He knows sound so well having worked with a lot of big bands and now lives in Australia where he works on major events. I told him I was going to be in the Live Lounge. So he advised me exactly what I needed!
Tests completed, set up done. The first Saturday arrived. The technicians in Belgium linked me into the broadcast via the internet at home. I put on my headset and immediately it was as though I was sitting on the finish line of the Tour de France. I heard the familiar chat of the people on the gallery. The Director, the graphics team, the reassuring voice of my sound engineer. Here I was, at my dining table, going live to the world. We did sound checks like we always do. We ran through the show opener, we discussed interviews to be shown. I had some lunch in my own kitchen, I sat down, the countdown happened and we were on.
2 hours of fast furious e-racing. Interviews, attacks, data, sprints, mountain points. Jersey reveals, classifications. Messages from fans on twitter, requests from the Director to mention things. 2 hours flew by. I was in a Virtual world but it felt very much like I was back on the finish line of a race. I was engrossed in the event, the race. I was lost in the moment of what I do and haven’t done since February. Then it was time to record the highlights for distribution.
Finally I got up, walked into my garden and sat and reflected.
When I look back over the last few months I think I have dealt with lockdown well. I have ridden my bike a lot both on the road and on Zwift. I have started painting. I have cleared out tons of stuff I didn’t need and I have kept in touch with friends and colleagues. I still feel for my colleagues who haven’t yet managed to return to work. I know how many of them are still worrying about the future. I have tried to be a voice of positivity and I think this situation has brought us as colleagues in a freelance world closer. But I hadn’t really realised until I said goodbye at the end of stage 1 of the Virtual Tour de France on that Saturday afternoon just how much it means to be able to do what you do. When you haven’t worked for over 4 months and then you get that buzz back it really has an impact.
I hope all of my colleagues across the world get their Live Lounge moment soon and I hope that fans of cycling across the world continue to hear from us as this season commences in just a few days. If you watched the Virtual Tour de France, thanks for tuning in. It gave all of us the buzz of bike racing, albeit in a virtual way. It gave us a glimpse of the stars that we can’t wait to watch in La Course, The Tour de France and much more. It was a little bit of normality in a period of time that has changed all our lives.
Thanks for reading
Anthony