Lighting Designer, Yenz Nyholm of New Illumination harnessed imagination and a moderately sized lighting rig with 23 Robe MegaPointes fixtures as the backbone of Level 42’s From Eternity to Here Tour.
To keep pace with the band Nyholm required multi-purpose lighting fixtures, and with no video on the tour, lighting was the only visual element. On the practical side, the rig also had to fit into one truck, along with audio, backline, and catering in the venues with limited height or restricted flying.
“MegaPointes are a no-brainer,” stated Nyholm, discussing his choice of lighting fixtures. “They are powerful, small, lightweight and brilliantly versatile. There are simply my ‘go-to’ lighting fixture.”
Nine MegaPointes on the back truss were joined by 12 units strategically deployed on the floor. Five units were used to create an array of kinetic gobo and projected animation effects on to a dark, grey reflective satin crinkle backdrop, which shimmered with the added lumens, along with five columns of bug-screen flown in front to add texture. MegaPointes were also used for beam-technology looks, back light, silhouette effects, specials and solos. “They are essentially the heart of the rig,” the LD remarked.
Despite being a small rig on paper, Nyholm hit all the right buttons on his Avolites Tiger Touch. “It’s an up tempo, party atmosphere onstage,” explained Nyholm, who has been the band’s lighting designer since 2008. “My gig is to help get that vibe out into the audience – it’s about everyone having fun enjoying fast and furious music – there are lots of opportunities for lighting cues and detail.”
From Eternity to Here Tour was scheduled for 2020, and was subsequently postponed, following the COVID-19 pandemic. “I didn’t want to get too clever for my own good,” Nyholm said, recalling the strange feeling of programming a show 18 months later. “This is a party, so lots of brightness, vibrance, movement and bold colours are foundation of the show.”
Nyholm praised the From Eternity to Here Tour lighting supplier, Siyan, and Project Manager, Steve Finch and his “amazing” Lighting Technician, Jason Tomes.