Cult U.S. punk rock band Offspring recently played two major UK dates in
Manchester and London whilst warming up for a festival run, with all their
characteristic onstage rambunctiousness, further energised by a lightshow created
by long term LD Lawrence Upton who is based in Chicago. The gigs were also part
of on the ongoing “Coming For You’ world tour ahead of the band’s much anticipated
ninth studio album, which is expected in 2016.
Lawrence utilised Robe BMFL Spots for the first time, 16 of which were provided by
Leeds based Zig Zag Lighting, together with another 52 Robe moving lights – 20 x
Pointes, 22 x LEDWash 600s and 10 x 600E Spots. Zig Zag, was one of the first
rental companies to invest in the fixtures.
Lawrence’s show – he has worked with the band for some years – is full of big,
bold, loud, hard-edged rock-out looks, for which BMFLs are absolutely bang-on to
match the band’s powerful stage presence.
The BMFLs and other Robes were offered by Zig Zag – working for promoters SJM –
on the UK dates, and Lawrence jumped at the chance – it was his first time using
BMFLs and he commented, “They were amazing’.
The Pointes were utilised for endless beam effects plus a variety of softer looks, all
easily possible due to their multi-functionality, “They have a nice punch,’ he said.
The last time Lawrence had used Robe products on a show was some years ago – in
fact back in the heyday of the ColorSpot 1200E ATs on a Kirk Franklin US tour, and
he remembers that they were the only fixtures on that rig that didn’t need any
spares or repairs.
He loved using the new Robe fixtures and remarked that they have “Come a long
way since then – they are building very good fixtures’.
Lawrence used a grandMA2 console for control, and Zig Zag’s crew included Tom
Clifford-Loynes, Damian Courage, James Britten and Frazer Healey.
Jonathan Dawson-Butterworth from Lighting Productions Ltd. supplied the consoles –
one at each gig – and provided additional programming services to enable
Lawrence to have his full show in both venues – the gigs were back-to-back – and
the available programming time was exceptionally short.
Lawrence who was classically trained at the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) in
the UK, is well known for bringing an intense theatricality and great imagination to
his lighting designs which is highly appropriate for bands like Offspring, whose live
shows have great scope for drama. He has toured extensively with many cool bands
including Smashing Pumpkins and Evanesence, and recently started a boutique
design company, UV Lighting, with lighting designer and director Craig Gaff.