Artistic director Anton Corbijn, visual director Blue Leech and lighting designer Paul Normandale created the visual concept to reflect an 80s space feel and the lighting was carefully selected to complement the tradition of a band with a history of visual spectacular as well as musical presentation.
One of the key elements to both the set and lighting design is the custom-built futuristic looking stage facia and synthesiser stations. Perforated with small holes they house a total of 59 James Thomas Engineering's PixelPup LED fixtures. Paul Normandale explains: "I wanted a colour changing fixture that was bright and quick and would fit within a small space. The PixelPups tie in to the electronic responsive nature of the music and complement a range of custom fixtures that make the show something quite different."
The show is a two hour futuristic extravaganza of light and video executed with perfect timing by lighting operator Fraser Elisha. Motorised pods add another dimension to some of the songs, housing an array of fixtures including 16 PixelLine 1044s hung vertically in an interesting spiked array. The battens add a bright instant response to the quick fire electronic sequence of Depeche Mode's music - who are anything but fallen angels.
The tour is currently in America and all the lighting is supplied by Upstaging Inc.
(Lee Baldock)
