Belgium - Clouseau recently entertained audiences with a series of spectacular shows at the Sportpaleis Antwerpen, Belgium's largest indoor venue. The Clouseau 40 anniversary shows, celebrating the band's 40-year milestone, sold out the 23,000-capacity Sportpaleis an impressive 14 times, continuing their yearly live performance tradition at the venue which was first established in 2000. For these high-profile performances, the Follow-Me Track-iT system was integral to delivering the band's larger-than-life experience.
Clouseau is one of Belgium’s most famous and successful bands, renowned for their catchy melodies, heartfelt lyrics, and high-energy performances. Formed in 1984, the band has enjoyed decades of success, with numerous chart-topping albums and sold-out concerts. Led by brothers Koen and Kris Wauters, Clouseau has built a dedicated fan base through their music, which blends pop, rock, and ballads.
As the band continues to solidify its place in Belgian music history with record-breaking shows, the team behind the lighting design chose to use the Follow-Me Track-iT system. The system was selected for its flexibility, precision, and ability to deliver a 360-degree key lighting environment across the massive 50m catwalk that spanned almost the entire venue.
Luc Peumans, creative director and owner of Painting with Light, who for years has been responsible for the band’s production design, created the immersive plan from concept to execution. “We have been using Follow-Me’s systems for years, and for this show, it was essential to have the tracking system in place,” he says. “The system is not just about tracking lights; it's about the creative freedom we needed for the whole experience that we designed for Clouseau’s shows. When you’re dealing with a venue as huge as the Sportpaleis Antwerpen, flexibility and precision are critical, and the Follow-Me Track-iT system gives us both.”
Arthur Claesen, digital media operator at Painting with Light, who operated the system during the shows, adds: “For such a large venue, we needed something that could offer 360-degree lighting coverage. With the catwalk extending so far, we knew we needed something dynamic. The Follow-Me Track-iT system is perfect for these kinds of shows because it allows you to point any light at any person you want, regardless of how big the venue is or how unpredictable the performers are.”
The Follow-Me system became indispensable for the show’s more complex movements, particularly when Clouseau’s lead singer, Koen Wauters, performed on the catwalk and even flew through the air on a performer flying system, follow-spotted perfectly. “Koen is very explosive and unpredictable on stage, so manual tracking would have been a nightmare” Claesen notes. “Instead, the Follow-Me Track-iT system allowed us to create a seamless lighting environment without the need for manual spotters, which saved both time and resources.”
In terms of creative innovation, Claesen highlights the possibilities the Follow-Me Track-iT system opened up. “One of the most beautiful moments was during a special, emotional song where we illuminated just one half of Koen while his other half remained in shadow,” he says. “That kind of effect wouldn’t be possible with conventional, manual techniques. The system’s precision allows us to produce new and beautiful lighting effects that really enhance the performance.
“We loved how we could move between manual and automated tracking with ease, allowing for greater flexibility and creativity. That’s the beauty of the Follow-Me Track-iT system – it gives you the freedom to create without limits.”
