The UK-based creative design practice Okulus – James Scott and Louis Oliver – was
asked to create a production design the first major production world tour for rising
Canadian singer/songwriter star Shawn Mendes.

This followed their work for the launch of his second studio album, “Illuminate’ at
Madison Square Garden in September 2016, and Okulus’ penchant for bringing fresh
and interesting visual perspectives to a show.

Thirty-nine Robe Spikies are incorporated into the lighting scheme, crafted with
Okulus dexterity and imagination in close collaboration with the show’s creative
director, Paul Caslin and 24/7 Productions. The overall stage look is clean and
definitive with attention focused on the artist.

The set is built from a multi-layered fixed riser system with curved frontage and a
high-gloss black floor, fabricated by TAIT. It keeps the band positions balanced across
the upstage area, creating a geometric flow for the performance. Under-lit by strobes,
the set also becomes like a lightbox at certain moments.

A 60ft wide LED screen at the back ran stunning content produced by Sam Pattinson
from Treatment.

There are eight overhead trusses including a distinctive 20ft diameter circular truss
flown directly above Mendes’ central marks – dubbed the “halo’ by the creative team.
Two of the trusses are upstage of the screen for blow-through lighting effects, and
another two “wing’ trusses extend the stage sideways into the arena.

Sixteen Spikies are rigged around the halo truss, with the other 13 in the footlights
position around a circular B-stage, positioned just in front of the FOH mixer platforms.
James & Louis first thought of using Spikies after the “Illuminate’ album launch at
MSG, where they used another product to create lots of tight beamed effects. After
this, they saw the Spikie in action and decided that the fixture offered a lot more
options and, therefore, Spikies earned their place on the plot.

“They are seriously small, lightweight and have numerous very useful features,’
stated James.

The halo truss Spikies are sometimes used to create a cage around the singer as well
as for other architectural looks. For the ones around the B stage, their use is more
textural.

Mendes is playing the piano while in this position in the middle of the audience, hence
the punchy Spikie beam is perfect for close cover or special effects which include
some eye-catching aerials.

“We love the split, and dual colour effects and the texturing looks that can be
programmed are very cool,’ commented Louis, “There’s no other fixture around right
now that could do what we needed in these vital positions.’

The show’s aesthetic is diverse and free-flowing. It moves along quickly, embracing a
range of styles and sounds from soft ballads to catchy folk-pop with the odd rock “n’
roll power moment – it’s all extremely accessible and fast-fueling Mendes’ soaring
career trajectory and chart successes.

Ryan Nixon is the Okulus touring lighting director. Starting in Europe, the tour now
embarks on the first US leg and is scheduled to continue until at least spring 2018.
All the lighting and video equipment is being supplied worldwide by VER, who have
invested heavily in Robe Spikies over the last 12 months. Small is certainly proving
beautiful, and Spikies are out on other high-profile tours including Bruno Mars, The
Weeknd and Martin Garrix.