These are an integral digital component of Richard Larkum's lighting and visual design, and take the look and feel of the Kaiser's almost non-stop touring schedule over the last two years to a new and different dimension.
Larkum states: "The band and I were determined that any 'video' elements interfaced seamlessly with the lighting". He also wanted a digital lightsource with its own visual integrity, and definitely not a massive LED surface that dominated the performance space.
XL UK's project manager Jo Beirne says, "It's always fun and exciting working with Richard - his ideas are innovative and varied and he never loses sight of the basic elements of lighting a band onstage well, and for the enjoyment of the audience."
The 'lighting tiles' as they've became known on the tour are configured as 38 different sized screens, ranging from singles to 3 x 3s, all hung asymmetrically with steels from the eight overhead trusses, with the lowest ones rigged on floor stands.
With no IMAG to distract from the visual picture, creating the right content was crucial to making the tiles work for Larkum's rock show scheme. They are used heavily for special colour effects and occasionally for shape effects running across the whole surface area, adding a varying and vibrant quality of light to the overall visual equation.
(Jim Evans)
