Maxxyz in Siberia and Beyond

If ever there was proof that Martin’s Maxxyz lighting console has proliferated the planet, it is this. Russian band Mumiy Troll and Martin’s Latvian distributor Pro 1 Sound and Light used the Maxxyz on the band’s latest “Pohititeli Knig 2004” tour, a far-reaching tour that included stops in such places as Chelabinsk and Yekaterinburg in the Urals and Solikamsk and Novosibirsk in Siberia.

The band traveled through much of the former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe with additional stops at Sterlitamak and Ufa in the Kazak region of western Russia; Odessa and Kiev in the Ukraine; and more familiar spots like Moscow and St. Petersburg, as well as Riga and Tallinn in the Baltic States.

Planning of Mumiy Troll’s tour began back in mid 2003 and centered on the group’s latest album “Pohititeli Knig” which was recorded as a movie sound track. The concept envisaged the movie by accentuating the visual image of the stage through the use of video projection, theatrical lighting, cinematic and theatrical design, and specific design elements.

Andrejs Dubkow, Lighting and Stage Designer for Martin’s Latvian distributor Pro 1 Sound and Light, and Maxxyz Programmer/Operator for the tour, commented on the tour and his use of the Maxxyz, “All together approximately 400 cues and 600 cue changes were built into the show using different operating styles - tracking, live, stack options. To be able to execute this task we used the Martin Maxxyz. The console, which required moving and relocating in an easy and safe way, traveled a minimum of 2000 to 8000 km each day - by airplane, road and railway - and was subject to temperature changes and pressure impact. Traveling such distances, and considering the unusual venue locations, meant a need for effective support from the manufacturer, which was guaranteed by Martin.”

The flow of the concert and music formed a distinctive lighting concept in which the video elements, music, lights and musicians’ specially arranged images all communicated and interrelated. Andrejs comments, “Diversity in the lighting was essential. Light images were set up in collages - thematic images that reflected the atmosphere - in rock and pop light styles, also parodying different popular artists.”

A large projection screen backdrop showing custom composed video material that related to the movie (projected via 10000 Lumen projectors) dominated the stage design. Stage lighting was set up in six groups with three basic rigging spans constructed using Martin equipment. Back and top light (mid-truss) consisted of 8 MAC 2000 Profiles and 10 MAC 600 washlights with 6 additional MAC 600s used for side lighting. Four MAC 2000 Profiles were used as floor lights. Martin Atomic 3000 strobes were also incorporated. Front light consisted of ETC Source Fours with 25 – 50 degree field angles with correction filters (front and point light for artists), 8-light Blinders for audience lighting, and Par 64s used for artist lighting and specials for shadow and artist silhouettes.

Recognizing the need to use new LED technology, five Spacewriter Wallscreens were used to create an original platform for the visualization of the concert. The screens were placed one meter from the projection screen backdrop in such a way as to merge information from both visual materials. To emphasize specific moments during the show, and improve the effects of the different sources, additional lighting was set up – six Red Par 38s and eight 2500-watt cyc strip lights. These special lighting objects were laid out in a semi-circular form, an important element of the group’s stage design. Backdrop lights, RGB Cyc lights, were also added to the group of effects.

“During the tour I was also able to prepare future projects,” Andrejs adds. “The Maxxyz with its Offline Visualizer allowed me to create another two shows, which will take place in another part of the world. I would like to thank video designer Igor Smirnoff, special LED technology operator Miks Tenteris, lighting technical director Ansis Tenteris, and special thanks to the Maxxyz support personnel – Gerald Heise, Matthias Hinrichs and Gert Leunen.”