Ayrton throws light on The Chainsmokers’ Memories
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Signature to the show’s design were 126 MagicPanel fixtures from Ayrton, with 42 of the new MagicPanel-FX and 84 MagicPanel-R fixtures forming a dynamic, articulated ceiling of light above the duo, and 18 Ayrton MagicDot-R units fronting their DJ booth.
The tour was in support of Memories…Do Not Open, the duo’s first studio album which plays with the concept of a teenager’s ‘memory box’ in which a youngster might hide their precious objects – love letters, tickets, photos etc. The pretext gave the designers the perfect opportunity to explore the idea of using the box to create a stage and to ‘open’ that box of memories for the audience.
“Our vision was that the box would bring the band’s lyrics and stories to life,” explains Mike808, the show’s production designer and creative director. Our design reflected that concept, visualizing the stage as a box through which we unveiled the different memories, both those of The Chainsmokers and of the audience themselves.
“The box allowed us to be more ‘literal’ with the illustrated video content running on the V-Thru screen which wraps around the band; or, at other times, more ‘abstract’ with a perimeter of lights around the stage to form an ethereal box of light.”
In addition to this, Production Club also devised a way to meet The Chainsmokers unusual requirement of alternating between their DJ sections and playing live on stage, effectively dividing the show into separate sections.
“Alex and Drew were very clear that the two aspects should not merge, so they could preserve the value of the original DJ set without compromising the new live music sections,” says Mike808. “The challenge for us was not to create a hybrid of DJ and live show, but to maintain both aspects as separate entities. The result was a mix of five DJ sections alternating with five live sections, interspersed with some ‘theatrical skits’ between songs.
“We needed a set that would be flexible enough to cut and change between these and be ready for whatever the duo decided to play next.”
Key to this mutable set was the dynamic ceiling of light which could change the shape and appearance of the stage, and alternate swiftly between the sections. It was composed of 6 independent, automated overhead pods, each measuring 24ft deep x 6ft wide and loaded with Ayrton MagicPanel-FX and Ayrton MagicPanel-R units.
Each pod was mobilised by SGPS/ShowRig winches and capable of rotation in two axes, and also moved up and down. “We could organise them into custom configurations, form arches with them, bring them in low over the DJ booth and break them back up to become a ceiling once again,” explains Mike808. “One pod became a staircase at one point, and the two central ones were used as aerial platforms for the guys to stand on to perform a couple of numbers. The Ayrton MagicPanels were ideal because they have the flexibility to perform in all these scenarios.”
Each pod carried 21 MagicPanel fixtures arranged in three rows: a central row of seven MagicPanel-FX flanked by a row of seven MagicPanel-R units on each side. “The pods gave us a lot of cool options in shaping the stage, in addition to which we could use all the ‘Magic’ stuff inside them,” says FitzGerald.
FitzGerald also used the MagicPanels to make a strong visual statement during Paris – a song about a place that lets the imagination fly – when the two central pods are flown out high above the stage with Alex and Drew on the back of them surrounded by MagicPanel fixtures blazing out beneath and beside them.
The Chainsmokers summer tour is currently making its way across North America, Canada and Europe until September.
(Jim Evans)
