This column marks the first in a series of dialogues in which we ask preeminent lighting designers to share five insights they have gained over years of practicing the wonderful art, science, and craft that underpins our industry. Fittingly, we are inaugurating this series with Jeff Ravitz, a universally esteemed designer and Emmy Award winner, […]

In many ways, Finnish trio Apocalyptica draws power from defying expectations. After all, classically trained celloists who perform metal music with the pugnacious ferocity of a hardcore band aren’t going to follow convention! Well… neither did their acclaimed designer Mikki Kunttu, when he created the production for their recent EU tour. Fearlessly tearing up the […]

“A thousand years of torment in three minutes!” Falling In Reverse frontman Ronnie Radke shouted that out to the sold out crowd at Rod Laver Arena on March 14 right before the metalcore monsters from Las Vegas went into a fiery rendition of their hit “Watch the World Burn.” And oh, and what a rewarding […]

LONDON – Sure, fortune is fickle, but sometimes lady luck has a way of quietly handing out subtle, unexpected treasures, especially to those with an eye for such elusive opportunities. Widely acclaimed lighting designer, Ed Warren certainly falls into that category. He noticed the way light hit a mirror ball over his video wall and […]

NEWARK – Ok, so bigger isn’t necessarily better every time, but there are those occasions when a massive rig can transform a stage in unimaginable ways, especially when it’s designed and controlled with the artistry and precision that designer Jimmy Yeret demonstrated recently at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center. Working for his client, the […]

LOS ANGELES – Jelly Roll, Katy Perry, Billie Eilish, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, John Mayer, Gracie Abrams, Pink and more… the stars came out in force for Live Nation’s Fire Aid benefit concert. But behind the scenes there was also an array of talent that made this spectacular and very worthy event (it raised […]

MELBOURNE – “A thousand years of torment in three minutes!” Falling In Reverse frontman Ronnie Radke shouted that out to the sold-out crowd at Rod Laver Arena on March 14 right before the metalcore monsters from Las Vegas went into a fiery rendition of their hit “Watch the World Burn.” And oh, and what a […]

ALBERTVILLE, FRANCE – The words you speak become the house you live in. So wrote the ancient sage Hafez. The wisdom of this dictum echoes clearly through the halls of Le Dôme Théâtre, a beautiful Italianate building in the heart of the Savoyard town. Since its opening, this multi-purpose facility has built a vibrant theatrical […]

Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. There’s safety in numbers. Hedge your bets! There is no shortage of advice, telling us that we should avoid finding ourselves in a position where we rely on only one solution with no alternative. After all, it is common sense, right? Well…not always! Fortunately for the fans […]

On February 15, 2012, Danish metal masters Volbeat scored their first No. 1 Hit in the USA with “A Warriors Call.” Impressive? Yes! But it wasn’t yet time to celebrate. To be completely honest, the group still hadn’t yet cracked the elusive “Big Time” barrier on this side of the Atlantic. All that changed, and […]

Soothing sunsets, autumn leaves, gentle fields of grain. . . amber is there in many of nature’s most embracive scenes. No wonder this color has such an uncanny ability to wrap itself around an audience, drawing them into a uniquely transcendent space. “The amber of the moment,” author Kurt Vonnegut of “Slaughter House Five” fame […]

MESA, AZ – The multi-platinum, Grammy-nominated Christian metal rock band Skillet, is said to have gotten their name from the pastor at their Tennessee church, who said they blended together so many musical backgrounds and influences that it was like mixing ingredients in a southern friend skillet dish. The pastor knew whereof he spoke. Fans […]