XL is also supplying kit for a third variation on Oasis' video design - similar to but larger than the original touring version - for their festival headline slots.
XL's project manager Des Fallon says: "Respect to the Oasis production management team lead by Michael O'Connor. Their attention to detail is second to none, they totally understand the importance of video and the role it plays in the show, and making things happen smoothly and efficiently in video world is very easy."
For the large shows, XL Video is working both directly for Oasis and for live video director Dick Carruthers' company, Cheese Film & Video. The stadium show video is a vibrant mix of playback and IMAG which Carruthers - as is his oeuvre - uses as a platform to push the imaginative and technical horizons of the system.
Two 8 mm Mitsubishi 8 mm screens stage left and right provide playback to the majority of the audience at the outdoor/stadium shows. Each measures 10 modules wide by eight high.
Onstage, there are five columns of Barco MiTrix, each made up of 144 panels - a subtle increase to the four column arena touring version of the design. This five column MiTrix set up is also used for festivals.
Also integral to the original arena touring - and now the festival set up - are four standard definition robo-cams. These, together with the touring/festival content for the MiTrix surfaces - are operated by lighting designer Rob Gawler. XL is also supplying the three Catalyst media servers Gawler uses to feed content to the MiTrix, and the HD robo-cam units which are swapped in for the outdoor/stadium gigs.
On the outdoor shows, to enhance sight lines for sections of the audience positioned at extreme angles to the stage, XL is supplying two additional Lighthouse R7 left and right LED screens, offering a TX feed of the stage action.
The stadium package is completed with one of XL Video's full HD PPUs including six Sony E50 HD broadcast quality cameras.
Des Fallon concludes: "Oasis have been at the top of their genre for over a decade and are still embracing fresh and innovative ideas and investing in high production values for their audience. It's great to be part of this."
(Jim Evans)
