Briefed to create a signature stage piece for Westlife's recent No1s tour, it soon became apparent that neon lettering wouldn't be practical, because it's made of glass, but then Mark remembered seeing Neonflex at PLASA. Marketed by Batmink, Neonflex is a flexible PVC light tube which closely replicates real neon, but uses LEDs as a light source. Much more rugged and roadworthy than neon, it was the obvious choice. LiteStructures made up an individual Neonflex letter, which Production North and the band agreed was just what they wanted.
Although the original design, a 20x10ft Perspex signature, was intended to be invisible when not lit, it was then decided, by the band and Production North's Steve Levitt, that a 12 x 7ft stainless steel sign would work better with the stage set. With just five days to design and construct a new version, LiteStructures pulled out all the stops and delivered the new 'Westlife' sign, which the band and Production North were very happy with.
The sign was used as an integral part of the stage set and when lit added an extra visual dimension during various songs. During the times when it was not lit, the stainless steel metalwork blended in with the rest of the set.
Shows traditionally have a big climax and giving a massive lift to the end of the Westlife show were four custom LiteStructures lifts that brought the band up through the stage floor and 15ft into the air. LiteStructures modified four Genie access platforms, which were located under the stage during the show, and supplied specially modified LiteDeck as a 12ft stage extension. This contained the necessary trap doors required for the lifts to work correctly. On the completion of the Westlife Tour the lifts returned to LiteStructures hire stock.
(Sarah Rushton-Read)
