Lighting designer Stevie Hernandez examined how 64 Robe Pointes are integral to the design.
Zedd's much talked-about live show visuals are a collaboration between himself, Stevie as production designer, VJ Gabe Damast and tour manager Ken Floyd who also runs lasers and SFX for the performance. They have all worked with Zedd for three years and are his first production team.
The team enjoys a coherent and fluid visual chemistry and Zedd considers them his 'visual musicians', all bringing their own specific imaginative disciplines into the show.
While Zedd knows exactly the visual vibe he wants for each song, he encourages everyone's input. Different ideas add synergy and help craft this very collaborative show. "We all see, hear and think in similar ways," explained Stevie, "Which also makes it such a satisfying and interesting process. It is a real pleasure to work with an artist who has this insight."
A massive 7mm pitch LED screen over 80ft wide and 22ft tall dominates the stage set, filled with custom-made content for the tour produced by Beeple, Scott Pagano and Gabe.
The Pointes are deployed all around the screen and also, within it. They are rigged in two trussing towers that break up the centre 16:9 section of screen from the two left and right wing pieces. The front of the DJ booth is clad in the same video surface, so with the visuals full tilt, Zedd looks like he is floating in the air.
For True Colors, Pointes are really prominent and are the workhorse lights of the rig. They are on the touring rider and for the recently completed US leg of the tour, they were supplied for all dates by lighting and video contractor PRG Nocturne out of Las Vegas.
(Jim Evans)
