For the vast majority of the general public, the setting where they are exposed to gobos and other creative lighting design is at concerts. In an entertainment setting, particularly one like pop music where image is just as important as sound, having a compelling light show is key to attracting bigger crowds, and therefore, increasing ticket sales.
Obviously, the strategies employed by popular artists will vary between acts, but it's worth noting whether there are certain common principles that always apply when coming up with a good stage show. To figure this out, let's take a look at some of the biggest live bands in the world and find out how they utilize lighting in their performances:
- Muse: This symphonic rock band is all about spectacle. Through a combination of LED screens, lasers and hanging spotlights designed by famed lighting master Oli Metcalfe, Muse is able to create an atmosphere that reinforces the science fiction aesthetic they have long used on their albums and in their music videos.
- Nine Inch Nails: As noted by Denver Westword, a culture and lifestyle magazine, Trent Reznor's outfit uses shadow as much as light to create a monochrome, black and white look that is eerie and reminiscent of film noir.
What these groups have in common is that they use a vast combination of lighting fixtures and methods to create the ultimate viewing experience, but they also try to balance their lighting so that the audience isn't bombarded. Mixing in custom gobos with lasers, LED spots and other elements, when coordinated with the music, will achieve a more cohesive look that helps reinforce the themes in the music, rather than overriding them.
