SACRAMENTO — To visually match the music created by two DJs, or “electro-pioneers” who compose layers of sound for The Crystal Method’s Divided By Night tour, LD Lawrence “Loz” Upton sought to create layers of lighting using a combination of LED and digital gear from Barco and High End Systems. “This music is all about layering, which is why we chose the Showbeam 2.5, the (six) Showguns and the (12) StudioPixes, as well as the regular moving lights,” said Upton. “The show is very much in your face, and very effects-driven, so we basically wanted a lot of gas.”
Because video images play a large part in the layering, the band hired a group of artists to create custom content for the two Axon media servers. Using the two CLM R10+ projectors, the content is projected onto screens mounted on two circular trusses.
“We were able to easily download content into the Axon media server and then run it as a lighting cue. It’s so easy to do, it’s awesome,” Upton said. Control is provided by a Wholehog 3 console using the Wholehog DMX 8000 Processor, and two F-100 fog machines add to the effects.
For additional content, images also originate from the StudioPix, which is not only an LED washlight but a hybrid graphics display device. “With StudioPix, you have many lights in one,” said Upton. “You have an effects-driven look, the effects generator, many colors, and on top of that, you can use it as a regular wash fixture or as an audience lighting fixture. In many ways, it’s more effective than an LED audience blinder,” explained Upton. “I’m really impressed with the way that I can manipulate the StudioPix to achieve many different aims.”
When Upton first saw the Showgun luminaire in a video, he wasn’t sure what to do with the LED ring. But after seeing it in a live demo, the ideas began to flow. In this design, Upton matches the Showgun LED ring with the outer LED rings of the StudioPix and the SHOWBEAM 2.5 — letting the rings play off each other in space.
For The Crystal Method tour, Upton also selected Camarillo, California-based Delicate Productions as the lighting contractor. “Everything we needed, they made happen,” said Upton. “There were many design meetings, and it came together really well. They really put a lot of effort and time into working with us.”
The audiences have made it happen as well, noted Upton. “From a lighting gig standpoint, people love the show. We’ve gotten nothing but rave reviews everywhere we go. It’s humbling, actually.”
For more information, please visit www.barco.com and www.highend.com.
