Creating an Engaging Show: Lighting, Visuals, and Music

So now you've got yourself all rehearsed, and the music is sounding really good. It's time to create a show around this.

Collaborating with Professionals

Hopefully, you'll have started this at the beginning of rehearsals, ensuring you have a lighting designer or show designer on board, someone who understands what you're trying to say with your show. Consider the following aspects:

• Structure: Does the show have a beginning, a middle, and an end?
• Development: Does the show grow over time?
• Energy: Are you going all out from the start, or is there a sense of buildup?

Importance of a Production Team

A lighting designer and a production manager are crucial. They hold your tour in their hands, knowing each venue and its specifications. Key points to consider:

• Venue Specifications: They understand the height of the venue, available trusses, and what you can do with your rigging since your lights are suspended from a truss.
• Travel Logistics: If you're touring globally, ensure that your show is easy to break down and transport.

Visuals in Your Show

Often, you'll have a lighting designer as well as a VJ who manipulates visuals or creates a backdrop while you're on stage. If you have an ethos or philosophy about your show, you want your lighting designer to bring that to life through the mood they create with lights. It's incredibly powerful what lighting can do, it completely alters the way one listens to music.

Flexibility in Design

When booking for festivals:

• Consider Limitations: Sometimes, the extensive lighting package you've spent hundreds of thousands on can't be used because it's daytime.
• Budget Constraints: It's essential to have a versatile and flexible setup that works within your budget.

A Simple Yet Effective Approach

If you're a band just starting out, you can keep things simple. For instance, we once performed on a television show called Jules Holland. They made a backdrop out of our second album cover titled "Sunday 8pm," which we took worldwide. This backdrop looked amazing and was cost-effective.

Digital Age and Visual Packages

In today's digital era, going on stage without visuals, screens, or LEDs can make you appear somewhat bare. Remember, while the music is central, the visual experience enhances the performance.

• The Impact of Darkness: When darkness falls, electronic music often shines. A captivating visual package elevates the audience's excitement.
• Laser Shows: Personally, I love shows drenched in lasers. During our last tour, we created an architectural design with lasers on stage, referencing both the future and our rave heritage.

The Balance of Artistry and Production

Lighting can set the mood and energy of a show. Innovative artists, like Eric Pridz, have taken lighting and stage shows into new realms with holographic experiences. However, the challenge lies in balance, ensuring that the show doesn't overshadow the artist.

Finding the Right Designer

You should aim to have someone on board who can pitch for the job. It's not just about hiring one lighting designer; you may want to explore different visions from multiple people who understand your music and ethos.

• Style Considerations: Is your show a pop show, a jazz show, or a banging house set? The lighting package must align with the style of music you are presenting.

Budgeting for Equipment

It's crucial to stick to your budget. Understand how many shows you're doing and allocate your funds accordingly. For example, I once had a bespoke couture outfit made with programmable lighting elements, which cost £20,000. While this seems extravagant, when spread across 200 shows, it became manageable.

Production Costs and Collaboration

Your production manager will help ensure that you agree on a budget that's appropriate for the types of shows you're performing. Consider this:

• Essential Needs: If you're playing for a smaller crowd, extravagant lighting isn't necessary, basic colored lights can suffice.
• Scaling Up: When headlining larger stages, aim to create something exciting, experimental, and memorable that harnesses the emotion of the music.

The Importance of Timing and Coordination

Lighting plays a significant role in live performances. Poor lighting can detract from the song's mood.

• Personal Experience: I recall a performance at Coachella where our lighting designer overslept, resulting in everything being lit in pink for half the show. It disrupted the show's intensity and didn't match the profound lyrics being sung.

Lessons Learned

When things go awry, ensure you have multiple alarms set for key events, whether it's getting to the stage or the airport. With a large team, it's vital to move as one cohesive unit; if one person falters, it can jeopardize the entire performance.

In conclusion, lighting and visuals are integral to creating an engaging experience for your audience. Make it a key part of your show!