Justin Bieber, one of the most universally recognised pop icons of the 21st century, is enjoying the commercial success and critical acclaim of his fourth studio album, Purpose, the campaign for which includes an extensive world tour.
Lighting for the tour was designed by Cory FitzGerald with the rig including Robe Pointes and two BMFL Spots being utilised as rear follow spots.
It’s FitzGerald’s first work tour with Bieber. When he came on board, the production design created by Production Manager Chris Gratton and Creative Director Nick DeMoura was already evolving, together with video content produced by Michael Figge of Possible.
After listening to a detailed brief from Gratton and DeMoura, FitzGerald wanted to make the lighting as flexible as possible to create “a wide diversity of looks and help transform the space,” taking the video content, which is a huge element of the stage design, as the base image and building on it from there.
A total of 56 Robe Pointes are rigged on the upstage trusses and under the downstage flying catwalks, which are used for many scenes and effects, primarily as the high-powered beam lights for which they are renowned. The two Robe BMFL Spots function throughout the show as rear follow spots.
“The BMFLs give us full control of beam size, color and strobe effects from the console, which can then be cued into the show like any other lights, giving the rear spots a life of their own,” FitzGerald commented.
Cory programmed the show with the help of Davey Martinez, whilst Nick Van Nostrand is the tour’s LD. Lighting equipment is being supplied to the tour by VER.