Destroid is using hundreds of custom LEDs — not in the rig or lining the stage, but clothed on their bodies. The EDM group is outfitted with specially-made $100,000 body armor — complete with smoke machines, CO2 and laser arm blasters, custom LED panels and animatronics and built-in video cameras feeding live visuals. LDs Michael Smalley and Kyle Kegan worked together on the show for the group, which is performing at some summer festivals and is planning to embark on a major tour in the fall. Atlanta-based Smalley explained how the suits were programmed to react to band member triggers. “Through a custom piece of software my friend Matt Davis came up with, the MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) triggers on the custom guitars could be turned directly into Art-Net and sent to our desk. The same thing with each of the MIDI drums in the drum kit. This enables the band to trigger their cryo blast, which is DMX controlled, as well as lasers in their helmets. In the future progressions of the show’s programming, the band will be able to trigger all sorts of events in the show, from lighting to strobe effects, all from their guitars or playing the drums.”
—From “Designer Watch” by Debi Moen, PLSN, July, 2013
