For this tour Ross, works alongside show and set designer Roy Bennett. An integral part of the design is a flat wall of 144 PixelPar 90s - 16 fixtures wide by 9 fixtures high upstage behind two Kabukis. Ross explains: "The band has very set ideas concerning the use of lighting and video and they are always keen to build their show gradually. And although the PixelPars are only really used for the last two songs, it's well worth the wait!"
The concept behind the wall of PixelPars is to produce a gigantic 70s light box. Programmed by Dan Hardiman using an M-Box extreme to play video across the matrix, it was not the intention to make the video obvious, the whole wall is intended to look like a lighting fixture, rather than a low definition screen.
Ross continues: "The songs where the PixelPars are introduced have very different inspirations and the wall is used to try and reflect those influences. Be it a giant underlit dancefloor for 'Dancin' or sleazy strip club signs for 'Filthy Gorgeous'. The 70s look keeps the back white backdrop to diffuse the light and give a more colourful backdrop. For 'Filthy' we drop the Kabuki to give more beams and a heavier backlit look."
The show is controlled by a Wholehog IPC and all lighting is supplied by PRG Europe.
(Lee Baldock)
