Lighting/Lasers at PJ Shows

DiRtyFranK38
DiRtyFranK38 Posts: 3,131
edited May 2008 in The Porch
ok, well i've always wondered about something.
see, i saw stp the other night, and they had all these certain lighting and video arrangements behind the stage while playing. however, they are playing the same setlist every night, so everything is all worked out and ready to go. this made me think, pj changes their setlists vastly EVERY NIGHT. and as we hear in IIC, sometimes the setlists aren't even finished until like 10 minutes before showtime. also take into account encores. bands with the same set every night have the same encore tunes. pj's every night is always different. HOW THE HELL DO THE LIGHT PEOPLE DO IT!? even small things like when the lights flash to the beat of the song or something. every pj song has something. how do they work that shit out? seriously?
2006: Hartford
2008: MSG 1, Hartford, Mansfield 2, Ed Solo NYC 1
2009: London (O2), Philly 1, 2, 3, & 4
2010: Hartford, Boston, MSG 1 & 2
2011: Ed Solo Hartford
2012: Philly (MIA Fest)
2013: Worcester 2, Brooklyn 1 & 2, Hartford
Post edited by Unknown User on
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Comments

  • Brisk.
    Brisk. Posts: 11,581
    i wondered if there was a way to connect the lighting to the drums for exams, like if cymbals are hit then a certain light does something.
  • kitfoo
    kitfoo Posts: 125
    If it's like any modern-day lighting system, it's all done with computers. They program the changes in for each song before they tour, and then when the song comes up, they basically hit "play" and it runs. Of course, there's a person there for those unexpected things and long/different endings though. Also, I'm sure their lighting guy has been with them for a long time, so he knows what he's doing.
  • hailhail82
    hailhail82 Posts: 330
    I think it's just a matter of the lighting guys knowing the catalogue as well as the guys do. But, not every song is lit the same way every time. There is a lot of "improv" that goes on in that area.
    Using the word "methinks" in your message board posts doesn't make you look smart.
  • DiRtyFranK38
    DiRtyFranK38 Posts: 3,131
    they do some hard work. that must be an awesome job though.
    2006: Hartford
    2008: MSG 1, Hartford, Mansfield 2, Ed Solo NYC 1
    2009: London (O2), Philly 1, 2, 3, & 4
    2010: Hartford, Boston, MSG 1 & 2
    2011: Ed Solo Hartford
    2012: Philly (MIA Fest)
    2013: Worcester 2, Brooklyn 1 & 2, Hartford
  • 4Powers20
    4Powers20 Posts: 1,231
    I BrisK I wrote:
    i wondered if there was a way to connect the lighting to the drums for exams, like if cymbals are hit then a certain light does something.

    pretty sure you are talking about "triggers".

    Imagine trying to do lights for Phish. Not only is the setlist different every show, but the songs are usually very different each time they are played. And Phish had one of the best "light shows" EVER. Kuroda is the GOD of lights.


    "We're running out of beer, too?" EV 6/19/08

  • Bathgate66
    Bathgate66 Posts: 15,813
    the only thing close to this by pearl jam is the wishlist disco ball.

    :)
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  • Kilgore_Trout
    Kilgore_Trout Posts: 7,334
    radiohead has one of the most elaborate light shows ive ever seen while also mixing up their setlists ALOT... so theres no reason PJ shouldnt be able to do MORE with their lighting while still keeping the same variety... i think id like to see that... as much as i appreciate their straightforward approach...

    i think the lighting is figured out for basically every potential song before the tour even starts... seems like it would have to be... theres so many elements to lighting every song
    "Senza speme vivemo in disio"

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  • mjb
    mjb Posts: 1,315
    Nah - I don't need a lot of fancy lights. Last tour they did some lasers on You Are and Severed Hand - but it felt weird and out of place at a PJ show to me.
  • TransplantedNewf
    TransplantedNewf Posts: 805
    mjb wrote:
    Nah - I don't need a lot of fancy lights. Last tour they did some lasers on You Are and Severed Hand - but it felt weird and out of place at a PJ show to me.

    The green lasers were the weirdest thing i've ever encounted at a PJ show.
    <a href="http://www.last.fm/user/Krisdababe/?chartstyle=Krisdababe"><img src="http://imagegen.last.fm/Krisdababe/recenttracks/Krisdababe.gif&quot; border="0" /></a>

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  • upina2001
    upina2001 Indiana Posts: 764
    tool has a killer light show.
    their green lasers were about 10 feet wide.

    of course, Phish and Floyd are great.

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  • Steve Dunne
    Steve Dunne Posts: 4,965
    Bathgate66 wrote:
    the only thing close to this by pearl jam is the wishlist disco ball.

    :)

    yes...the wishlist mirrorball and the crotch lasers are the two best lighting features i've seen in a pj show.
    I love to turn you on
  • NeilJam
    NeilJam Posts: 1,191
    Speaking of lasers, I think PJ should bring them to Bonnaroo. They might not want to use them for the entire tour since some fans here seem to be distracted by them, but I think the general non-PJ-fanatic part of the crowd at Roo would enjoy them as part of the light show. Honestly, I liked them for some songs.
  • jubilairesjl
    jubilairesjl Posts: 498
    alot, if not all of the lights have a xlr connection so that the sound and lights can be synchronized and then you can control what you want the lights to do....other than that I would expect that the lighting technician just wings it because if you have something programmed then that can change very quickly and it can be a pain...so doing it as it happens is probably the more likely course but of course everyone is different
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  • sk8nshoot1
    sk8nshoot1 Posts: 722
    Want a light show... Go see Nine Inch Nails...
    1996: Randall's Island I, Hartford
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  • Bathgate66
    Bathgate66 Posts: 15,813
    as far as visuals , light shows, and the rock and roll spectacle,

    oine would have to at the very least mention U2 .
    For the ones who had a notion, a notion deep inside
    That it ain't no sin to be glad you're alive
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    Donate Organs and Save a Life
  • Stephen Flow
    Stephen Flow Posts: 3,327
    I wouldn't care if PJ never changed the lights. I just want to hear the music.
  • corduroid
    corduroid Posts: 293
    I really dislike what they're doing with lights lately... it adds cheesy distraction to what used to be their calling card: hard-fought passion on a bare-bones stage.

    Simple, spare colors behind the band used to be so nice to see as they burned into different moods. No distractions from the impact of the music itself; just a pure connection. Look at Touring Band, for just one example.

    Nowadays that laser/sweeping strobe/ flashing crap at every turn seems like just a chit on the path of becoming a derivative/routine band. Sort of like Avocado I suppose. Immagine, I shudder as I watch thee.
  • DiRtyFranK38
    DiRtyFranK38 Posts: 3,131
    i think some of you have it wrong.
    lights and lasers can add to the mood and effect of the music.
    the green lasers during inside job were fucking AMAZING in my opinion.
    made the song all the more drifty.
    then your crazy flashing lights and all that good stuff adds to the fast momentum of heavier tunes. i dig the light stuff, and i would LOVE to see them green lasers again.
    2006: Hartford
    2008: MSG 1, Hartford, Mansfield 2, Ed Solo NYC 1
    2009: London (O2), Philly 1, 2, 3, & 4
    2010: Hartford, Boston, MSG 1 & 2
    2011: Ed Solo Hartford
    2012: Philly (MIA Fest)
    2013: Worcester 2, Brooklyn 1 & 2, Hartford
  • celebration
    celebration Posts: 318
    Lights and video screens add to overall concert experience...but if it meant the cost of tickets would increase I'd say, no thanks.

    I'm good with what we got.
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  • 12345AGNST1
    12345AGNST1 Posts: 4,906
    corduroid wrote:
    I really dislike what they're doing with lights lately... it adds cheesy distraction to what used to be their calling card: hard-fought passion on a bare-bones stage.


    Ok, I have a task for you. For your next PJ concert eat some shrooms and then see what you think of those lasers! ;)
    5/28/06, 6/27/08, 10/28/09, 5/18/10, 5/21/10
    8/7/08, 6/9/09

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