Kinesys automation is central to show designer Jvan Morandi’s visual concept for
the current Placebo “Retrospective’ tour, which features some of the musical
highlights and moments from 20 years on the indie rock frontline for the band,
known for their intelligent visceral, raw and creative approach to live performance.
Ten Kinesys Elevation 1+ vari-speed drive units, used with 10 x half tonne Liftket
motors and Kinesys Vector control are being used to move five I-shaped trussing
pods rigged in the roof above the stage.
The system is a brand new investment in automation by lighting and video
contractors Colour Sound Experiment, which made several purchases for this
lengthy arena tour to ensure that Morandi has exactly the right elements for the
tour.
Colour Sound’s Haydn Cruickshank comments, “We have sub-rented Kinesys
systems as needed for some time now … so we know the kit is excellent.’
In addition to the Liftkets, Elevation 1+s and Vector control, the system also
includes a Kinesys Array PD-ES and Mentor series 3 for SIL 3 compliance which is
required for touring in parts of Europe.
James Hind – Colour Sound’s crew chief – is also the automation operator on the
road, for which he is positioned side stage during the show, where he can get a
clear view of the pods as they are moving.
Morandi came to production rehearsals ahead of the tour with a set of moves
already in his head for the pods which he and Hind mapped out in Vector, integrated
into the show and then tweaked for the first couple of weeks until everything was
perfect for the ambience Morandi was creating for the different songs.
There are around 20 different movement cues over the two hour performance which
allow the stage space to be enlarged or closed down for additional drama and
shifting the dynamics.
The pods are loaded with Robe BMFL moving lights, strobes and 2-lites and each
one is fronted with a 2 x 1 metre panel section of 7 mm LED screen. Their home
position is trimmed just above the height of a large rear LED screen, and as they
move into different looks, the video screens take on totally new perspectives and
the scope of the lights are altered, really helping to maximise the effects of all
these items.
Some subtle gliding of the pods at the start whets appetites and hints to the fans
that there’s more to come, with the majority of the extreme angle cues appearing
during the final third of the set.
The Vector platform is palette based, so updating the positional information each
day as the height, shape and dimensions of the stage change is very quick and easy
and any show can be adapted for a venue with lower – or higher – roof clearance,
but still look good and provide an all-important continuity.
