Taking a less-is-more approach to the design, the look and feel of the show is based on a rear wall of light, which was one of the many ideas that Hosier discussed with the band, who take an active interest in the aesthetics of the show.
The wall is constructed around seven 20ft vertical scaffolding pipes, each rigged with three LED PARs, a Martin Professional Atomic strobe with scroller and a GLP Impression moving LED wash fixture. The rest of the lights are spread across 3 trusses and the floor.
The back truss contains eight Robe ColorSpot 700E AT fixtures; the mid truss has five Robe ColorSpot 575E ATs, while the front has five Robe ColorSpot 575E ATs, five ColorWash 700E ATs and Source Four profiles for key lighting.
On the deck are 10 JTE PixelLine LED battens, used for washing across the cyc at the back and also for up-lighting from underneath the risers. There's another nine Atomic strobes scattered around the general floor area which are gelled, plus another six GLP Impressions. Eight conventional PARs are used for classic backlighting and silhouetting effects, adding a bit of edginess to the stage ambience.
All of this is run from the Diamond 4. "It's absolutely the perfect console for this type of show which does not have to be so heavily structured in terms of cues," explains Hosier. "There's a fair amount of improvisation and generally it's a very hands-on show." He fills the top row of faders with memories which can be grabbed instantly at all times.
Lighting equipment for the Kooks UK and European tours is being supplied by London-based Colour Sound Experiment. Hosier worked alongside crew members Martin Dudley (of Martin's Lights) and Richard Gilson on this most recent section, and they were joined by Andy Melleney for the Brixton shows.
(Jim Evans)
