K3 returned to the road with a “streamline and tightly choreographed” show produced by Studio 100, with lighting designed by Jeroen Opsteyn of Painting with Light (PWL), who collaborated closely with choreographer, Tommy Gryson.
Wanting to keep the focus firmly on the three band members, a more minimalist ‘bare stage’ production concept was developed without video but with a big emphasis on lighting to provide the visual atmospherics including a kinetic essence that flowed throughout the performance..
This was supported by Opsteyn’s carefully chosen lighting rig that included 40 Robe Tetra2 moving LED batten fixtures, arranged in four vertical ‘perspective’ linear rows above the stage to provide a virtual ceiling and a host of architectural looks.
“I did not want to do another straight spot-wash-spot-wash design,” he explained. “Studio 100 shows are well known for having great production values, and everyone wanted something different, fresh and clean on this tour, so I think with this layout and more structural approach was the way-to-go.”
Opsteyn wanted to create dramatic curtains of light at certain points; he coined Tetra2s as the perfect choice thanks to the “sharpness and zoom” capabilities of the lighting fixture. “I needed bright fixtures that could zoom down to very small pin-beams of light,” he noted, having been immediately impressed after first seeing them deployed on The Masked Singer and Dancing with The Stars.
The lines of Tetra2s comprise 13, 11, nine and seven units, with the longest being downstage, and they add some considerable depth to the performance space. They are alternated with lines of 13, 11, nine and seven spot moving lights, creating a tunnel-like effect. Tetra2s are used as washes, as light curtains and for multiple other effects including the twinkling flowers for power ballad, Ushuaia.
Other looks include the striking red, white and blue French flag colours for Frans liedje (French Song), featuring all effects that “we simply could not do with any other fixture” according to Opsteyn.
The tour is out until December playing multiple weekend shows mainly in theatres, with some arena gigs, and while the lighting specifications changes from time to time depending on what kit is available from main lighting vendor, PRG, Tetra2s are something on which “there’s no compromise” for, remarks Opsteyn.
Elsewhere on the rig, zoned LED strobes are used unusually but highly effectively as kinetic effects and wash lighting, all programmed into an MA Lighting grandMA2 console by Opsteyn and PWL colleague, Niels Huybrechts, with creative direction by Luc Peumans.
“As always, it’s great to be working with Studio 100’s technical production manager, Jan De Goeyse and the wider team that made this show and tour happen as everyone understands the importance of presenting a good show and works to the highest standards of excellence,” concluded Opsteyn.