The Pointes were lined up along the back of the stage alternated on two levels - five on the bottom and six on cases forming the upper row - and created all the drama and atmospheric compliment needed for the band's 80-minute set. Their sound fused elements of triphop, d'n'b and jazz into compelling harmonic compositions with haunting vocals.
Mark explains that inspiration for the style of lighting he's evolving for this tour came from the stark monochromicity and 'reality' of black and white cinema, and much of the set is lit in white. With the Pointes, there are so many variations in how you can treat the light that the same look or effect is never repeated twice, even using one colour. When saturated colour is introduced, it has maximum impact. "This show is really all about lighting the 'negative' spaces on the stage," he says.
Mark first used Pointes earlier in the year on Jamiroquai's tour, so he was aware of the possibilities, and when Lamb came up, he needed something small, light and bright. "An incredible amount of light comes out of such a compact fixture," he declares.
Mark is touring his own Hog 4 console and completed most of the basic programming in a short timeframe and a small rehearsal space in south London. As this is also one of those shows which is constantly developing, some tweaking is done on a daily basis.
For the UK tour, the Pointes were toured and supplied by Blackburn-based HSL, and at the Ancienne Belgique show they came from Belgian rental house Phlippo Showlight.
(Jim Evans)
