Imagine Dragons LOOM World Tour
July 30, 2024
First Show of The LOOM World Tour
Camden, NJ
With the Imagine Dragons LOOM World Tour coming to an end soon I thought I'd share a few details about the media server side of things.
This tour has had a few different variations in LED Wall sizes and configurations. We used a few different server racks throughout the tour provided by Fuse TG. They contained 4 Disguise GX3s with IPVFCs and SDI SFPs. This enabled the rack to be a full 12G workflow. With the GX3s we were able to use multiple video layers along with generative and Notch layers across the machines seamlessly.
We controlled the servers from FOH for most shows. Doing this helps see the show as a whole and not just the video elements. Since we played multiple sized venues across the world with varying daytime brightness, it's important to create a consistent show through all of the 90+ shows. Managing brightness and looks are crucial for all elements (pyro, lighting, etc.) to pop and shine. We used an MA3 Light in 3 mode to control the servers via a “hybrid” of Sockpuppet and Expressions. The Sockpuppet layers are only generative layers and expressions are used on video and Notch layers to control only certain parameters. This gives us the flexibility to use the MA for keyframed generative layers easily as well as view and pre-program with content offline without the need of a console or MA node. This is crucial for one off shows or festivals which saves time on-site.
On the Notch side, we were able to use the NVIDIA AR Body Tracker Skeleton node in Notch for the song "Bones" in which we overlaid a skeleton on the members of the band. This added an extra element to the song that played well with the content. Since we were using the GX3s we were also able to have a higher particle count as well which helped with a few looks throughout the show.
Not everyday and everyshow can be on the GX3s however. This is due to timing of gear arriving and logistics. On days the GX3s couldn’t logistically make it to shows we used Disguise Solos. This kept us inside the Disguise ecosystem while also being compact enough to fit inside a flyable rack and pelican. With some compromises and a few tweaks we are able to take the same programming across both the A-Rig and B-Rig. This enables fast and seamless shows with minimal changes. The B-Rig package was provided by Alt G.
Disguise: r30.3.4
Notch: 0.9.23
MA3: 2.0.2.0 (MA3 Mode)
Credits:
Production Design, Lighting Design & Show Direction: Mitchell Schellenger (Station Six)
Associate Design & Lighting Direction: Jason Rothberg
Lighting Programmer: Will Flavin
Screen Content Design & Creation: Aaron Hymes & Shane Gelinas (GREATWORK)
Screens Director & Programmer: Austin Hammond (Alt G)
Pyro Design & Programming: Tyler Ritz (Strictly FX)
Notch: Notch VFX, Alt G
Production Manager: Matt Miley
Stage Manager: John Lunio
Fuse TG Senior Technical Project Manager: Patrick Eaton
Fuse TG Director of Media Servers: Ryan Middlemiss
Fuse TG Server Team: Jake Hogenson & Josiah Battles
Servers:
Fuse TG
1 - Double Wide Rack for Servers and Kit
1 - FOH Rack For Control
4 - Disguise GX3 w/ IPVFCs and SDI SFPs
Alt G
1 - Disguise Solo Flyrack rig with 2 Solos
1 - Additional Solo As Backup
See Station-Six’s website and Instagram for more Design Info and Pictures
https://www.station-six.com/work/project-six-6f87e-bf7sp
https://www.instagram.com/station_six/#
