It’s impossible not to get caught up in the good times when you’re hanging around Cosmo!
More than a few of his fellow lighting professionals have said words to that effect to us when talking about this Parnelli Award-winning Orlando-based LD. Whether it involves his love of a good meal with friends (preferably lobster is involved!) or his treasure trove of road warrior stories, Cosmo Wilson knows how to sprinkle some magic over any gathering.
This is not only true in social settings, but also when he’s sitting behind a FOH console, or in his studio designing a light show. Cosmo Wilson loves lighting music! This zeal shines through his work, brighter than even the most powerful effect.
Wilson has collaborated with many great designers in his storied career. Besides designing and operating, he’s also worked in various capacities for iconic bands like The Rolling Stones, Genesis, The Cure, Crowded House, and INXS. Indeed, his more-than-35-year association with AC/DC can be described as “legendary” without exaggeration.
Taking time from his busy schedule, Wilson visited with us to share lessons he’s learned about bringing passion to light.
One: Light the Money — Remember who the audience came to see! There are many facets of a concert and performance, and while the lighting, sound, video, and special effects are all integral parts of the show, the bottom line is that people came to see the band! They want to see the performers, they want to see the looks on their faces, and they want to see the interaction between the members and the audience. When people leave my show, I want them to walk out and say what a great SHOW it was!
Two: Learn About the Band — It’s important to learn about the band, not just their music, but the band themselves, where they came from, their career path, what influenced them, you need to learn the lyrics and what they mean, especially when there is a deeper meaning than the obvious. Find the little nuances that you can somehow incorporate into the show. Every band and its members have paths that lead them to where they are — the current state of the band and the performance is the sum of all that. Plus, when they find out how much you know, all the details, they see how passionate and involved you are in the creative process.
Three: Remember The Audience/Fans — Before the first show of every tour I do, I pull my lighting crew aside and have a nice chat with them. I remind them of what we’re doing and why we are doing it. I tell them no matter how hard a day they’ve had, such as a delayed load-in or difficult working conditions, this is about the audience, and it’s important because we’re making memories. I tell them to never forget that there’s going to be at least one person in the audience who will remember this show for the rest of their life. I ask each one of them if they have a show that they remember, and they always answer “yes.”
Four: Be a Fan Yourself — I am extremely fortunate that every single band I have worked for in my career has been one that I am a fan of. Bands that I grew up listening to, bands that I know every song, every lyric, which obviously helps when you’re operating the show. But more than the familiarity with the songs, it’s the joy and passion I get from running the lights for songs that I love and am so familiar with. I always thank the band for being the soundtrack of my life.
Five: Make Magic — People come to concerts to be entertained… to be taken away from the problems and daily trivialities of life. Some want to relive their younger days with certain songs that meant something when they were growing up, while others want to hear the songs that are currently helping them get through situations in their life. When they walk into the venue, I want them to be taken away. I want them to forget, and I want to create magic, where they are totally amazed and mystified and walk away feeling elated and free from normal life for a couple of hours. There is a lot more to lighting a show than the technical aspects. It’s not only sight, but it’s also an evoking of an emotional response, the joy and passion of the music and performance.
