This includes a new Kinesys automation system; new robo and static video cameras and new Robe Spiider WashBeam moving lights amongst several other purchases.
Colour Sound's Haydn "H" Cruickshank says, "We were delighted to win this tour which presented a perfect opportunity for us to expand our video department, invest in comprehensive and sophisticated motion control and expand the extensive moving light stock with the latest Robe technology, together with smoke machines, fans, cabling infrastructure and much more. As always it is a pleasure to work with Jvan and help realise his ambitious and demanding show designs."
Jvan has developed a highly original aesthetic for the show which highlights 20 Years of Placebo at the forefront of the alt.rock movement, coinciding with the release of a new compilation album, A Place for us to Dream and the start of this touring and live performance campaign.
Jvan wanted a simple clean look for the stage - almost like a lightbox but with moving image. This large video presence video on stage is a break from past Placebo tours - on which Jvan has worked since 2005 - and his challenge was to make it inventive, interesting and unconventional.
He decided on a large screen at the back for impact when needed, also a surface area that can be minimised and changed completely with clever content application.
"I needed a video presence on the show but wanted to bring a different, iconic and provocative visuality to assist a real live curation referencing 20 years of incredible work and moments," he said.
The 18m wide by 6m high upstage screen is made up of Colour Sound's BT20 product. Crew chief James Hind and Frankie also designed special touring frames into which the LED screen is fitted to enable quick and expedient deployment and de-rigging / storing for transport. The screen itself is hung on a run of JTE 52cm super truss.
The 10-camera package comprises five Panasonic AW-HE60Ss and five AW-HE2S static cameras which are dotted around the stage and clamped to various bits of backline kit. The robo-cams are operated on alternate shows by Frankie and Colour Sound crew member Chris Foot. At FOH fitted with a 76 mm long lens, is an operated Sony HX-100 broadcast camera.
All the camera feeds go into a Black Magic Design ATEM 2ME switcher, with the mix cut by camera director Fergus Noble. He's been involved in various Placebo video aspects since 2007, so he and Jvan enjoy a great synergy. He knows the style and look of shots that Jvan is looking for.
The camera feeds then go into the Catalyst media server - together with the playback video - and are mapped to the various screen surfaces.
A new Kinesys Vector control system was part of the automation package, which has been programmed by James who also runs automation for the show.
All the show visuals are run from the ChamSys MQ200 including the Catalyst media server, utilizing three ChamSys SnakeSys R8 eight universe Ethernet to DMX convertors and ever reliable pulsar DMX buffers.
Joining James, Frankie and Chris on the Colour Sound crew is Aamer Diaz. Keeping everything in check on the road by production manager is Allan Moffat and the tour rigger is Katy Flanders. Adlib is supplying the audio.
(Jim Evans)
