stage lighting affects your perception

[smopo24]

i just saw doves in concert, and their elaborate lighting rig brought to mind the most excruciating experience lighting has ever beheld.....spiritualized! i love the band, but couldn't stand 3 hours (plus encores...plural, 2 sets of encores) of spots, strobes, and assorted effects. as much as the music, the lighting sets a mood (rem playing at the 40 watt, with one 40 watt bulb; 60's groups with the oil light; lap top shows with projections trying to make the show more exciting); what are some of the more memorable (or painful) lighting situations have you been witness to? any that detracted from the show?

[GearJunkie]

I'm so glad you mentioned Spiritualized. That was a PAINFUL show when I saw them at The Vic in Chicago a few years back. The first song was 2 minutes of strobe lights.

Granted, the lighting person was DEAD ON with his or her cues, but man... I think I became epileptic by the end of that show.

[johnS]

I agree that Spiritualized is sight to behold live--but I enjoyed it a lot. I saw them at the Double Door for the Ladies and Gentlemen album. It was about 120 degrees in the room, and it was PACKED. Add that to the wall of psych lights and wall of sound/noise, and you've got yourself the makings of a drug-free out-of-body experience. Awesome.

well...the show I played last Friday at "Bob's Country Bunker", there was one par can with a red filter on it - and it just so happened to be RIGHT IN MY FACE. That, and the ceiling was only like 7 feet tall in this place so it was pretty much RIGHT IN MY FACE. When I say "RIGHT IN MY FACE" I mean - from my nose to the red cellophane, about 5 feet.

but we drank for free, so I'm not complaining.

[Bellringer]

I saw Rollins band on their first tour/first record and they used the house pars with no gels. Just a stark white stage. It was kinda cool. Like the music was so tight they didn't have to hide behind lights.
Ministry was super heavy on the strobes at their Lollapalooza shows.
Psychic TV had an incredible number of 16mm projectors, lazers, lava lamp lights, strobes, and pretty much every kind of light I can think of. It was super overwhelming (though it was a rave they were DJing and playing at the Chicago Ampitheatre about 10 years ago). It still stands as the strangest lighting I've ever seen at an event.
Oh yea, Primus and U2 have both used amazing projections with their lights.

MBC, please tell me there was chicken wire between you and the floor, as well as being on a mission from gaad.

[smopo24]

Originally Posted by lukedavo

MBC, please tell me there was chicken wire between you and the floor, as well as being on a mission from gaad.

you read my mind!

Well no actual chicken wire, but when I say we drank free, I mean I wrote out an American Express traveler's check on the glove compartment lid...

[smopo24]

Originally Posted by MarlonBrandoCalrissian

Well no actual chicken wire, but when I say we drank free, I mean I wrote out an American Express traveler's check on the glove compartment lid...

best post ever!