Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, White

Light (WL) and Bug Productions joined forces to create FLUX, a hybrid performance space safely connecting artist, fan and

host for a live music experience. Following their first European headline tour

and cancellation of the US leg due to lockdown, King Nun frontman Theo

Polyzoides was the first artist to perform in this immersive environment.

Utilising

technical solutions specialist WL’s socially distanced SmartStage studio in

London, Polyzoides was joined by music reporter Jimmy Blake, to deliver the

intimate gig for an exclusive group of fans. From the safety of remote

participation, the fans were able to enjoy a front-row virtual experience and

up close personal interaction with the artist.

Lee Dennison, WL’s Head of Business Development explains: “As lockdown started, many artists started recording

themselves singing or playing at home on their phones and streaming this out to

the world, which fast became a very tired format. Speaking with our friends at

Bug Productions, we agreed that this was down to a vital missing element – the

sense of connection to a time and place in which to experience the music with

others. We also knew that artists were really struggling with the lack of

engagement with their fans during this surreal time. With SmartStage, we had

the technology to bring artists, fans and presenters together virtually like

never before, for the pure enjoyment and escapism of live music during these

uncertain times.”

The FLUX set featured real and virtual lighting, quality audio recording and xR content, all powered by disguise technology. MalfMedia Creative Director, Michael Al-Far and Director of Photography and Lighting Designer Chris Hollier both dialled in remotely, making live changes to the real-time content in response to production requirements during rehearsals. Camera tracking and bespoke content rendered using Notch helped to bring the immersive environment to life, connecting the participants for a shared experience, without any need for personal headsets.

A combination of Arri Sky Panels,

Martin Mac Aura XBs and ETC Source 4 Lustre 2s were used to achieve the various

looks.  The Sky panels provided wash lighting, to emulate the changing

environment of the virtual world and the Auras gave a more focused effect using

BlackTrax to follow the movement of the artist so they were free to roam around

the stage.  The Source 4s provided generic key lighting for the centre

stage.

The audio was recorded live using

a Shure Axient Digital Transmission system and traditional large diaphragm mic

techniques. Two channels of Shure’s Axient ADX Transmitters allowed for the

guitar and personal microphone capture for the interviews. This resulted in a

clean stage, free of equipment cables and technology.

Blake

says: “One of the hardest parts of lockdown has been the mental struggle of

having the same routine. FLUX feels like a perfect little slice of escapism for

both artists and fans; the sort of thing we all miss as music lovers. The acts

genuinely seem to love being on a proper stage again and the fans are always in

their element when they are in the front row, so being able to hand the show

over to them feels pretty special. When I first saw the set it blew my mind,

the team have created something incredible, which would have been impressive in

a normal world, let alone doing so without ever being in the same room!”

FLUX presents Theo Polyzoides highlights video now available via: https://youtu.be/fe1dD7KAiA0

The post White Light & Bug Productions reunite King Nun frontman with fans in a virtual world following cancellation of US tour appeared first on White Light.