TOM - PAINS FIREWORKS

  1. Who are you and what do you do at Big Weekend?

Hey I'm Tom and my role as Display Manager for Pains Fireworks is to plan, design and ultimately fire the fireworks display that acts as the grand opening to The Big Weekend on the Friday evening! Months of planning all come together to deliver a choreographed show that lights up the city.

  1. What is your occupation outside of Big Weekend?

The world of professional fireworks is very much a full time job so outside of what I do for Big Weekend I spend the rest of my time planning and designing shows all over the rest of the UK and overseas.

  1. How has that changed due to Covid-19?

Sadly we’ve been hugely affected by the pandemic, I don’t know why but the desire for fireworks displays at large public events seems to have completely dried up! In all seriousness, as a supplier to the events industry we know we’re not alone in this and just hope that everyone and everything can come back stronger once the storm has passed.

Photo Credit: John Scott 2016 - Pains Fireworks

  1. How has your life changed due to the current situation? For good and for bad?

Well even though it’s been enforced it’s certainly given me an opportunity to take a step back from practically everything for a while! It’s meant that I’ve spent more time with my little boy than ever and that can only be a good thing – I honestly think I’ll look back and treasure the time I’m spending with him.

  1. What do you look forward to the most after this?

The thing I’m looking back to most is definitely going back to work (as sad as that sounds)! It may sound cheesy but it’s very much a case of ‘you don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone!’.

  1. What is your favourite moment or memory from Big Weekend?

Personally my greatest memory is from during our display in 2019 when the soundtrack reached ‘Zorba the Greek’. As the tempo of this track built so did the intensity of the display and the cheers and chants from the crowd during this really was amazing and you could feel what a great time everyone was having.

  1. How much are you looking forward to Big Weekend 2021?

I can’t wait to help make Big Weekend 2021 the biggest and best one yet. After everything that’s happened this year I really think that everyone is going to embrace the fun and celebration that The Big Weekend brings and I can’t wait to be a part of it.

To check out Pains Fireworks website, click below