The stage visuality was a carefully crafted collaboration by show designer Rob Sinclair and lighting designer Ali Pike, both of whom have worked for the band since 2013. The four Cyclones were supplied to the tour by special effects specialist BPM-SFX.
The four Cyclones were positioned two per side on the downstage edges of the stage. Rob explains that the band wanted to make some big statements in the arenas, and with a limited number of shows, they needed to "Be clever" with how they utilised the lighting fixtures.
Looking for a different and innovative 'reveal' sequence, Rob flaunted the idea of a smoke-screen of quick-dissipating fog from the pit area ... from behind which the band would start playing at the top of the set.
Eight Look Solutions ORKA machines were positioned along the front of stage to produce the blanket of fog, with the Cyclones employed to guide and move the smoke and light it at the same time.
The band's intro was a soundscape of grim battlefield effects, and the Cyclone's internal effects also happened to produce a very authentic machine-gun muzzle flash effect.
In addition to the set intro, Ali found them extremely useful as pan/tilt-able fans, and they also assisted in blowing confetti around the room when that effect was triggered.
(Jim Evans)
