“Rock and Roll Is Here to Stay, It Will Never Die.” This declaration was first expressed by the now largely forgotten doo-wop group Danny & The Juniors all the way back in 1958. It’s a feeling that has been repeated in rock songs ever since, and it rings just as true today as ever. This was plain to see and hear on The Struts just concluded 28-date U.S. leg of their Pretty Vicious tour. Even early on in the show, when the UK glam rockers began to barrel through songs from their latest album, it was off to the races as this tight quartet dished out serving after serving of pure rock energy with a flamboyant, modern twist. As one critic wrote after their performance at the Royal Oak Music Theatre in Michigan, “The Struts are a reminder that rock n’ roll is alive and well, and they’re carrying the torch with style and flair.”
Lighting Designer Carlos Katsurayama moved with the band note for spellbinding note as they carried that torch. He transformed the stage with a shifting variety of dramatic looks throughout the show that wrapped themselves tightly around the mood of the music. Helping him create this evocative canvas on stage was a rig supplied by LIT Lighting of Phoenix that featured 14 CHAUVET Professional Maverick Force S Profiles.
Positioned on the riser, behind the guitar amps, the compact moving fixture with a seven slot color wheel and 14,000 lumen output, was used to create a dynamic backdrop for the band. Drawing on features like the profile’s 120-degree complete module rotation and wide zoom ranges, Katsurayama was able to conjure up a variety of captivating looks.
“The Force S Profile brough a good level of intensity to everything,” said Katsurayama, who worked with TM Tim Fulton on the show. “An amazing thing about The Struts is the wide range of their music and emotions. As a designer, this gives me the chance to try very different styles throughout the set. So versatile fixtures are a must.”
Adding to the impact of the design were the various silhouette looks Katsurayama created, outlining the band members against a variety of monochromatic and two-tone color palettes. Also contributing to the dramatic effect of Katsurayama’s show was his frequent use of side lighting. “I always love side lighting,” he said. “It creates an edgy air on stage.”
For some moments in the show, Katsurayama used the Maverick Force S Profiles on the riser to create crossing aerial effects, giving his show a different look. He also varied things by changing the depth and intensity of color on his backdrops and adding gobos.
“My favorite look had to be the very beginning of the actual set when I use gobos to light up the downstage edge hiding the entire stage when our singer Luke dramatically entered the light for the first line of the song,” noted Katsurayama. From that moment on, fans knew they were in for a rock show – and The Struts, along with their lighting designer, wouldn’t have had it any other way.
Further information from CHAUVET Professional: www.chauvetprofessional.com
