PROVIDENCE, RI – There are things that are impossible to achieve, like being in two places at once, or standing up and showing someone your lap. Then there are other actions, that while not “impossible,” are extremely difficult, because they call for balancing two seemingly opposite things at the same time. Of course, accomplishing this feat requires hard work, a deft touch, and a great deal of skill. Cody James brought all three (plus a great supporting cast) to the table when he created the lighting and production design for Yellowcard’s current Ocean Avenue 20th Anniversary Tour.

“This design was built on two main ideas,” said James. “I wanted to have no blank space, but at the same time I didn’t want the stage to feel cluttered. Also, I wanted the whole thing to have an almost organic feel, something that felt natural and didn’t take away from the band playing their first shows in seven years.”

Anyone who sees the famed punk rockers on their current tour, which includes stops at Petco Park, Denver’s Levitt Pavilion, and the YouTube Theater in LA, will readily agree that James has accomplished his ambitious goal in flying colors. His design fills the stage with bold, electrifying looks from three large video walls and a collection of intensely bright lighting fixtures rigged in irregular patterns at different heights. The effect is powerful, but at the same times, the look seems open and natural.

Helping James and his team (Paul Maloof, Peter Therrien and Henry Bordeaux), create this immersive setting are 24 Color STRIKE M, 14 Maverick MK1 Hybrid, and 12 Maverick MK1 Spot fixtures. Like the rest of the rig, these CHAUVET Professional units were supplied by JDI Productions.

“The Color Strike Ms are our main source of saturation and punch to have the lighting distinguish itself from the video wall,” said James. “It really stands out when I use effects across the plate or the tilt function to convey certain moods at different points throughout the night.”

James is relying on his Maverick fixtures to make bold statements throughout the rig that complement the retro images and trippy synth waves that are vividly displayed on the video wall during the show. The strategic positioning of these units was critically important to James’ vision of creating looks that are both full and open. The designer credits United Rigging in helping in this effort.

“United Rigging deserves a lot of credit for supplying the rigging I need to make this show a reality every show,” said James. “Teamwork has been essential on this tour, because we’ve had to do a lot of different things well to make this idea work.”