“We never do anything traditional. We never go through the front door. It's always the back door, or an open window or something”. That’s how Steve Harwell, the late lead singer of Smash Mouth, described the band’s unconventional approach to making music, in an interview with CNN.
Although Harwell passed away two years ago, far too soon, the San Jose-based quintet continues to follow its own delightfully quirky path—something they've done since the release of their double-platinum debut album Fush You Mang in 1997, which, with its alternative rock sound, set a new tone for the new century.
The band's spirit is as alive as ever. Just ask any of the fans who attended the Musique Fest Premier Tech Festival, a three-day event on the banks of the St. Lawrence River, where Smash Mouth headlined. Accompanying the sunny, carefree atmosphere was a vibrant and energetic lighting design by Marc-Antoine Pelletier that captivated the crowd with crisscrossing beam effects and powerful audience lighting.
Pelletier, along with his technical director Pascal Giard, achieved this magic with the help of a collection of Rogue fixtures from CHAUVET Professional, supplied by Les Productions Giard. By directing most of the light toward the audience, they amped up the excitement by making it feel like light was bursting from the stage.
I wanted the show to look massive, despite the limited space we had. I also aimed to bring in a rock aesthetic by combining straight and crossed beam looks. Since there were no video screens in the setup, lighting had to be the centerpiece of the stage design and fill the space.
Pelletier’s choice of colors was another key factor in maintaining the festive atmosphere. “I tried to capture Smash Mouth’s Californian energy”, he said. “Some of their songs have a laid-back, sunset feel, and I wanted the colors to reflect that. It also fits the band’s identity, which is a bit extravagant and indie-rock. For big hits like ‘Believer’ and ‘All Star,’ we went for a monochromatic look to give those moments even more impact”.
To bring color to the stage, Pelletier used 12 Rogue R2X Wash fixtures, placed on the four “fingers” of the lighting rig. In addition to coloring the stage, these fixtures played a key role in creating aerial effects thanks to their tight beams and fast movement. “They were essential for the visual eye candy moments that were a big part of this design”, he said.
Complementing the dynamic effects of the R2X units were the Rogue R1 Washes, whose colorful output helped create more intimate and dramatic atmospheres.
I used the R1s mainly for key lighting, to highlight facial expressions and create dramatic moments throughout the set. I really appreciate their compact size. They’re versatile and still deliver strong output.
Of all the show’s high points, one of Pelletier’s favorites was when the band performed All Star. “Since it was the final song, it was the perfect chance to go all out with an unforgettable light show”, he said. “I also loved the monochrome looks for the drama they brought to the stage”.
Reflecting on Smash Mouth’s performance at the festival, Pelletier summed it up simply: “The show was a big party”. And like any great party, the lighting played a key role too: a bold and energetic design that amplified the fun even more.
