Inspired by the 'film noir' artistry of Goldfrapp's latest album Tales of Us, Sinclair's high contrast lighting design uses 10 x Philips Showline SL NITRO 510's to create unadulterated up-lit washes and acid-flash strobe effects that accompany some of the band's most haunting tracks.
"We worked hard to create a lighting design that would complement Alison Goldfrapp's double exposure photography, which is currently used as the artwork for the stage backdrop and also on the album cover," explains Sinclair. "I wanted the atmosphere to come across as sinister and rural but with a slightly urban, man-made edge to it."
The SL NITRO 510s, which are supplied by lighting rental company Neg Earth, make up the bulk of Sinclair's floor package: "We use the fixtures to deliver strobe effects at various intensities and full on cross stage washes," explains Sinclair. "The SL NITRO 510s have a slightly narrower beam than I'm used to. The result is a longer throw that has proved really useful for lighting people from a distance. More traditional strobes often need to be very close to the subject and are then prove to be too hot. The NITROs performed brilliantly from the side of the stage, particularly during the song 'Lovely Head' - which has a number of entirely strobe lit sections."
Sinclair's overall design concept is built around an asymmetrical, dual purpose 'forest of light' that veers from providing subtle lighting effects to full on dramatically dynamic sets to disappearing altogether.
"Before the NITRO I'd been reluctant to use LED strobes," continues Sinclair. "That was until I did a little shoot out at Neg Earth in December. What impresses me most about them is the sheer brightness of the strobe and the fact that it needs absolutely no recharge time."
Martin Palmer, Vari*Lite and Showline product manager EMEA for Philips Entertainment says: "We are delighted to see the SL NITRO 510s being used so creatively by Rob Sinclair on the Goldfrapp tour."
(Jim Evans)
