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Flaming Lips Create PixelLine UFO
Psychedelic popsters the Flaming Lips are currently on tour with a UFO set piece that has to be seen to be believed! The concept created by the band is an amalgamation of innovative DIY solutions and Oklahoma City-based lighting and rigging specialists Toucan Productions.
Owner Robin Alvis has known band leader Wayne Coyne for several years and was intrigued when Wayne called him and asked him if he had read a news story featuring the band in Rolling Stone? Robin hadn’t seen the magazine, so Wayne came to see him and showed him the article.
During the interview Wayne had been asked what was in store for the band and he had suggested that for the upcoming tour they should arrive on stage in a giant UFO, play the gig, get back in and take off! A few days later, the reporter asked Wayne to sketch his concept - which he promptly faxed over and was published.
Robin explains: “I hadn’t seen the sketches until Wayne showed them to me! We discussed some ideas of how we could construct the UFO and decided on a 30’ and 2-9’ Thomas circle trusses interlocked with softrails and 12 x 12 GP truss. Wayne made the balloon and skin himself.”
A number of LED fixtures were considered for the UFO but nothing compared to the brightness of a PixelLine 1044. Wayne also loved the effects and working alongside lighting designer Pope, 40 PixelLines were specified amongst a battery of other fixtures including moving lights and strobes.
Two Avolites Pearls control the show – one for the main rig and one for the PixelLines. The show is designed and programmed by Wayne and Pope, who sit together and bounce ideas around until they come up with the most unique creations.
Toucan had to rent in the battens for the tour as they did not have any in their inventory, but since then they have purchased some and they are currently on the Shiny Guns tour with the same lighting designer – Pope.
Robin said: “I first saw the PixelLines at the LDI tradeshow and was blown away. They have been a great investment and we get requests for them daily.”
photo: Michelle Martin-Coyne
19th February 2007
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