The KOI Awards, which celebrates the creative talents of international lighting and digital content designers working in the UK, has added a 'Club' category, which will allow the Awards to widen its reach to celebrate LDs working at all scales of touring.
Proposed to the committee by KOI chairman of Concert Touring and Events Sarah Rushton-Read, the category was introduced in response to feedback from lighting designers working with new bands just starting out on the touring circuit. It will mean that these LDs, often working with just a floor package and having to use each venue's house rig to realise their design, will also be recognised for their creativity.
"Often designers that are touring club style venues with just a floor package have to be extremely resourceful and inventive to make their design work in every space," says Rushton-Read. "A well thought out floor package can be key to the design's success. Such designers regularly have to think on their feet and many cut their problem-solving-design-teeth with limited budgets, crew and time available."
Submissions are now open for Club, alongside the rest of Concert Touring and Events and the TV subcategories, for shows performed or broadcast between 1st August 2014 and 31st July 2015. As with previous years the Theatre category can only be nominated by the judging panel.
"Club touring is the seedbed of upcoming talent both in terms of the artists and designers of tomorrow," continues Rushton-Read. "This is a new and exciting development both for KOI and up and coming designers. We've already seen some fantastic shows at venues including The Roundhouse and Shepherd's Bush Empire and we look forward to seeing more in the coming months."
(Jim Evans)
