The band last played the Sportpalais four years ago, in a series of landmark multi-date end-of-year shows that had become an annual end of year concert experience. Back in 2014 in some style with a six-month tour, they wanted to end the year with a performance phenomenon that was high-impact and memorable and different.
The initial concept discussions between Luc and lead singer Koen Wauters started nine months in advance. Of all the shows that the band have performed in Belgium's favourite arena ... they enjoyed 2003's in the round presentation the most.
Clouseau have a huge rapport with their fans, and Koen, as the charismatic and highly engaging front man, loves to be close to the crowds, so they decided once again that 'in-the-round' was the route to take.
To make it original and different, Luc then proposed a set design based on a rectangular stage in the middle of the arena with four zig-zagging runways coming out from each corner and running right down the length of the auditorium. Clouseau Central was born.
Every two metres, the top of the runways were printed with a 3D blocked design, which really came alive when lit, adding another spacial dimension to the look and feel of the space , especially for all those viewing from above. The stage was constructed by StageCo
The design idea was also a bit hit with promoters Jan Van Esbroeck from PSE Belgium as it enabled a capacity of 21,000. All four shows sold out within minutes of going on sale!
Positioning all the kit in an in-the-round (or even in-the-rectangle!) environment is always a challenge, the arena has an upper balcony as well as raked bleachers, and Luc had to ensure that everyone could see all the stage action and that the performance looked visually interesting from all angles.
Luc imagineered a grid of 300 LED 'pixel balls' each suspended on individually DMX-controlled winches which ran the full 50 metre length of the set, out to the ends of the runways.
The eye-catching bespoke system was fabricated and supplied by Inventdesign and purchased by the production. The winches were run from the grandMA2 lighting console merged with a MADRIX system and could fly into different positions, totally shifting the look and dynamics of the space as well as changing colour. The 50 cm diameter balls were flown 2.07 metres apart.
A main role of lighting was to ramp up the drama and help deliver an extraordinary Clouseau experience to everyone present.
The first lighting brain-teaser that Luc set himself with the design was the millimetre-precise positioning of 108 Robe Pointe moving lights all around the stage and runways ... so when they were in the direct upright position ... they didn't illuminate any of the 300 pixel balls in the roof!
Forty Clay Paky A.leda K20 LED washes fitted with rotating B-EYE lenses were dotted around and used for rich and powerful washes and funky twinkling effects.
Martin MAC Viper DX wash lights (with the framing shutters) were the general stage washes, while 24 x Vari*Lite VL3500Q Spots were utilized for key lighting and specials.
Also greatly adding to the creative tool-box were 76 x SGM Q7 LED strobes which were highly effective for intense punctuation points that illuminated the entire venue.
All the lighting - around 500 fixtures in total - was programmed by Luc and Painting With Light's Paco Mispelters, and operated by Paco.
As you would expect, video was also an integral part of the show, but it was vital that it didn't distract from the stage action and the band so its most important role was as a vehicle for IMAG and ensuring that everyone even in the
