The design was led by Fenton Williams, who has been with the band since its beginnings in 1991. In this latest tour, Williams and Aaron Stinebrink were responsible for the lighting design. Stinebrink, who has worked with Dave Matthews Band since 2002, handled the programming. A completely new visual concept.
The tour, which ended in August, featured an extensive Elation lighting package, including fixtures from the PROTEUS, PULSE and SŌL series, all part of a carefully crafted production that reinforced the band’s status as an essential live act.
The tour included 36 PULSE BAR S, 21 PULSE BAR L, 18 SŌL I BLINDER, 12 PROTEUS RAYZOR 1960, 22 PROTEUS RAYZOR BLADE L and 17 CHORUS LINE 16 fixtures, all supplied by TMS of Omaha, Nebraska, who have supported DMB for more than two decades.
A renewed design
We tested it in Cancún during a Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds festival that has been held for several years. We loved the layout and overall structure, and we finalized the design when we decided to incorporate it into DMB’s summer tour. From there, we started adding dynamic elements that made the design stand out, explained Stinebrink.
Stinebrink noted that Williams was looking for a soft, curved aesthetic, without many straight lines. “We wanted fixtures that would reinforce that idea and highlight the curves. Being a more fluid act, we like to emphasize designs with a series of effects fixtures.”
This year, the PULSE BAR S/L and RAYZOR BLADE became key elements of the visual impact. “The PULSE BAR and RAYZOR BLADE took the design to the next level,” said Stinebrink. “The integrated strobe LEDs set them apart and created very dynamic visuals.”
Organic design, dynamic visuals
One of the unique challenges of DMB shows, Stinebrink shares, is the unpredictability of the setlist. “We don’t receive the setlist until an hour before the show, so we improvise quite a bit at the beginning to create and build looks on the fly.” Both the PULSE BAR and RAYZOR BLADE proved to be excellent fixtures for improvisation. “Since we don’t know the setlist, the design and playback become more organic.”
The star of the show
Stinebrink states that the most dynamic visuals came from adding depth and dimension to the automated semi-circular trusses, with PULSE BAR fixtures installed along the top of each truss as it moved during the show.
We used the RGB strobe channel as if it were an LED strip, mimicking the one mounted on the lower part of the semicircles. It created an impressive sense of dimension and enabled a huge variety of RGB and strobe effects. I think they were, without a doubt, the true star of the show.
The PULSE BAR linear strobe, with IP65 rating, is available in 50 cm or 100 cm lengths, both used to better refine the design. Equipped with RGB+CW LEDs and zone control, they include an extensive library of RGB and CW strobe effects, as well as multiple modes and variable dimming curves.
Versatile lighting supported by advanced networks
Aluminum reflectors were added to the ultra-compact SŌL I BLINDER fixtures using Bowens mounts for the shows. This multi-purpose unit offers full-spectrum RGBLAW color, more than 8,000 lumens, and versatile mounting options. The system also included NETRON NS8 IP switches from Obsidian Control Systems for reliable signal distribution.
Excellence from the team and provider
They made an enormous effort to bring the design to life. Without them, none of this would be possible, so a sincere ‘Thank you’ to everyone working behind the scenes, he said.
Dave Matthews Band (DMB) toured North America this summer, bringing their unmistakable live show, marked by an eclectic mix of hits and frequent moments of improvisation.
The Dave Matthews Band summer tour demonstrated not only the enduring appeal of the group as a must-see live act, but also the power of a well-designed, cutting-edge lighting system to enhance the concert experience.
Photos: Sanjay Suchak
