Rihanna on tour with I-Pix Satellites
LD: Alex Skowron
i-Pix’ new Satellite LED fixtures are being used to illuminate the elaborate stage set for R ‘n’ B diva Rihanna’s current “A Girl Like Me” tour.
This includes a high profile opening slot for the Pussycat Dolls’ ongoing UK and European arena tour.
Rihanna’s stage set – along with her lighting – was designed by Alex Skowron and was built by Lite Structures, On the road, the lighting is being looked after and operated by Bruce Dare, who’s based in Dallas, Texas and also collaborates with Skowron on the Black Eyed Peas live work.
Rihanna is touring her full set for the PCD tour, reflecting her own stature and popularity as an artist. She plays a 45 minutes set, her show also featuring 6 dancers and a complete lighting rig of specials, supplied by Neg Earth and including the 18 Satellite fixtures and a WholeHog II console. Additionally, they’re ‘borrowing’ some moving lights from the main Pussycat Dolls’ rig which is supplied by Bandit Lites UK.
The Satellites are positioned underneath the set’s four circular stairwell landings – three below the two small landings and six beneath both of the two larger ones – clipped onto its metal framework and blasting up through the Perspex tops. There’s also two spare satellites, but they have not even come out of the box! (The Satellite is known for its rugged and virtually unbreakable build quality)
They started the tour using alternative LED lightsources under the set, but these proved simply too dim. It was Neg Earth who initially recommended the Satellites as something with more power and punch, “The difference is amazing” states Dare, “The Satellites light up the sides of the set really efficiently and shoot right up to the trusses above. They are very cool”.
He’s running them in 3 channel mode at the moment as that is all that’s currently needed, but is keen to experiment with ‘wide’ mode as soon as they get a bit more time. They are used throughout Rihanna’s up-tempo set, on a series of fast moving chases and sometimes in colourful static looks.
Another great advantage of Satellites is their small size, light weight and adaptability. They are completely self-contained, with the power and control section built in to the device, therefore ideal for ensconcing in awkward and less accessible places. In this instance, they tuck very neatly under the set – and can be removed very quickly - as the whole structure has to be struck in just 10 minutes at the end of Rihanna’s set.
When Rihanna scales up to her own full production later in the year, the intention is to add more Satellites underneath the top centre section of the set.
07 February 2007
