Lighting Director Rob Koenig selects MAC Axiom
Hybrid fixtures and Atomic 3000 LED strobes to create innovative and intense
visuals for the legendary band’s massive world tour
NORTHRIDGE, Calif.—Metallica recently embarked on the “WorldWired” world tour to support 2016’s “Hard
Wired…to Self-Destruct,” their first studio record in eight years. The stadium
tour features a unique stage design that forgoes a traditional ceiling
structure in favor of a colossal, open look with huge video screens and heavy
pyrotechnics. In order to overcome major rigging
limitations and compete with the over-the-top stage production, Metallica’s longtime Lighting Director Rob
Koenig selected Martin by HARMAN Axiom Hybrid fixtures and Atomic 3000 LED
strobes for their power, versatility and compact footprint.
“The
production on the “WorldWired” tour utilizes a vastly different approach to
stage design compared to what Metallica has done in the past,” said Koenig.
“There is no stage set, and there’s much more video content than on previous
tours. I knew that I needed a versatile hybrid fixture, and I fell in love with
the Axiom Hybrid when I was programming another tour. They’ve been very reliable
and it’s an incredibly versatile light. We can get a linear beam, wash fixture
or a profile fixture with a sharp edge.”
The “WorldWired”
tour features a massive, 140-foot stage with no roof or ceiling structure, leaving
a framing truss system as the only means of support for the video screens,
pyrotechnic units and any stage lights. Koenig’s design features 54 Axioms
placed on vertical ladders in-between five 35’ x 38’ video screens, with nine fixtures
on each ladder.
“Weight
distribution was a big problem with this stage, and it was a big factor in
selecting the Axioms,” said Koenig. “Not only are they compact and lightweight,
they have enough firepower to compete with the brightness of the video screens.
I’m
very satisfied with them.”
In addition to the Axiom Hybrid, Koenig
deployed 30 Atomic 3000 LED strobes on the ground behind the band and along the
catwalk. Incorporating backlight illumination with RGB-controlled LEDs pointing
into the reflector, the Atomic 3000 delivers extreme brightness and stunning
dynamic transitions throughout the show.
“The Atomic LED Strobes are amazing,” said
Koenig. “The form factor is great, the output is fantastic, they’re incredibly
reliable and I love the aura feature. There is a lot of punch with that
fixture.”
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