Grönemeyer's music and message for this tour is straightforward and uncomplicated, so Gunther's design was based on the Bauhausian principals of simplicity with clean lines and clear definition, all the time keeping the understated - and sometimes reluctant superstar - as the focus onstage.
The six pods (in the full rig format) are initially in their 'home position' in the roof and move to various different looks throughout the show - completely changing the dynamics of the stage space and also creating an impressive high-impact wow factor. The first time they come into their full vertical positions it is to audible 'ooohs' and ahhhs' from the crowd.
Gunther, working with long term creative associate Marc Lorenz as his lighting director and technology integration specialist, approached WIcreations again after several successful past collaborations, the most recent of which was the 2014/15 Fantastichen Vier tour for which WI designed and built a flying video cube that could rotate on all axes on a single point.
This project was managed for them by WI's founder, Hans Willems.
The six pods each measure 4.5m square and have a central 3 x 3m centre surface of Roe MC-12 LED screen. There is a 45cm gap between the middle video screen and then a 30 cm outside border of the same surface, and in the 45 cm gap a total of 16 x Robe Pointe moving lights per pod are mounted.
WI produced a solution for mounting the Pointes so they could move and rotate to their full potential, plus an expedient action-plan for the pods to be broken down and transported.
The pods were all constructed in aluminium to reduce the weight, with each one split into two parts with a special fast-connect system that significantly accelerated the load in/ out times.
The Robe Pointes were mounted with retaining bolts holding them in place while they turned and moved around in the very limited space.
Hans sums up, "From our side it was great working with Marc and Gunther again. We all have similar attitudes, headspace and a real understanding and trust, as well as sharing the same goals of quality and excellence. All of this is essential to delivering special structures like these in such a short timeframe."
The tour continues throughout the summer playing a combination of own shows and festival headliners slots - for which there are several variations on the lighting and video system and the amount of pods used.
Lighting, rigging and video is being supplied by PRG and PRG Nocturne, sound is from Black Box Music, the rolling stage for the own-shows is from Satis & Fy and the overall production company is Rocksound Management.
(Jim Evans)
