impression X5 Wash and X5 IP Bar help Günter Jäckle shape the stage for Peter Maffay’s “Farewell” tour
At the age of 74, rock musician Peter Maffay finally said goodbye to the stage as part of his sold-out ‘We Love Rock'n'Roll – Farewell’ tour and leaving with an exclamation mark — with 12 shows scheduled as the tour plan.
Günter Jäckle, Peter Maffay’s long-time lighting designer, developed the design for the tour, together with production manager Bernie Haefner and stage designer Fritze Krauch. He reports: “Fritze and I had the idea early on of integrating an ‘M’ into the stage design. We implemented this idea in two ways: on the one hand, the musicians’ risers form a stylized ‘M’, and on the other hand, we integrated into the stage a video-equipped set construction element in the form of the letter.”
The ‘M’, as a stage projection, was the only stylistic element that defined the look in an otherwise very video- dominated show. In terms of lighting technology, Günter deployed a total of 80 GLP impression X5 Wash and 20 of the new weatherproof impression X5 IP Bar. The X5 Wash was set on four trusses in the stage roof as well as on left. The impression X5 IP Bars recreated the M shape when placed on the floor—especially for spectators on the flat ground in the stadiums.
Günter explains he opted for X5 Series because of its superior brightness: “The impression X5 is simply much brighter than the impression X4, and that was certainly the main criterion. But an LED washlight also has its own characteristics as a physical object that I wanted to use—the devices are a stylistic element in the stage roof. In fact, I used them less to illuminate the stage and more like blinders facing the
audience, with which I could effortlessly bathe at least the first 50 metres of the audience area in colour. The impression X5, with its high performance and rich
colours, was ideal for this.”
GLP supported the designer—and his lighting director Oliver Horn— thoroughly during the prep stage, The lighting system for the tour was supplied by PRG Germany. satis&fy provided the sound system, while
epicto GmbH was responsible for video production.
Photos © Ralph Larmann
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