Video was used to produce quirky and emotive visuals throughout 80% of the show. The footage ranged from heavily treated, stylized 60s soft porn for 'This is Hardcore', to time lapse film of flowers opening, trees and abstract patterns. XL Video supplied a fully digital video playback system for the tour, looked after by crew member Dave McKinlay. The projectors were two of XL's new 5000 lumen Barco SLM G5s. These were rigged on the front lighting truss, with both focused to produce the one upstage screen image - which varied in width according to venue, with 15 x 20ft being the largest.
It was run live cue-by-cue by McKinlay using an SDI Magic DaVE to mix the sources, pulled from a Doremi hard drive. For the Brixton Academy show, a hand-held video camera was also hooked into the system, enabling Jarvis to experiment, have fun and reek video havoc during the set. XL’s projectors were also hooked into the Academy's two house screens. XL Video has recently invested in 12 new Barco G5s - which have been designed and optimized for the practicalities of the touring market. The Barcos come complete with their own rigging system including sub-frame and clamps. The lamps can be removed from the side of the unit, allowing fast and easy in-situ lamp changes with the removal of just six screws.
XL is also looking forward to a busy start to 2002, with a range of acts so far confirmed including Roger Waters' world tour, The Tweenies UK arena tour and the S-Club 7 arena tour.
