Warren developed a captivating new design specifically for the new album, Wilder Mind. He immersed himself in Mumford & Sons' music until it resonated in his mind - he even played the band's music while sleeping. "Designing is a very fluid process for me. I don't force it," says Warren. "When I've visualized my first thoughts and I feel like I'm in the right zone, the concept starts to take shape."
In the initial stages, Warren presented his ideas to the band using mood boards. They liked it and when finalized, he submitted his design to UK rental company NEG Earth, along with a product specification list. After reviewing Warren's list, Caroline Beverley, project manager, NEG Earth, suggested using the new VDO Sceptrons from Martin Professional as an alternative to the fixtures specified. Beverley said they would be perfect for Warren's design, and when Warren saw them he was easily persuaded.
"The VDO Sceptrons were perfect for what we wanted to do," says Warren. "As some of the concerts happen during daylight, I needed fixtures with a good colour output and brightness. The Sceptrons do just that-even in bright sunshine."
The VDO Sceptrons play a leading role in the design where they frame the stage and trusses. The fixtures are mounted onto the downstage edges and the two risers, and along the vertical lines of ten towers upstage. Side trusses and three U-shaped trusses above the band are also lined with VDO Sceptrons, adding a futuristic look to the show.
Although capable of displaying video content, Warren uses the VDO Sceptrons in simple RGB mode on four channels. This design ended up suiting Mumford & Sons very well. The VDO Sceptrons and the MAC Quantum Washes are mixed in with older fixtures, comparable to the band's traditional vibe from previous albums and their new, rockier synth-based material.
"The art of lighting design is to support and reflect what the band is trying to evoke with their music without distracting from it," says Warren. "You want to complement the music and stir the audience as much as possible, but you need to respect that people have come to see the band - not necessarily the light or laser show."
(Jim Evans)
