Spectrum

RoscoLED® Tape Creates A Retro-Futuristic Setting For Arctic Monkeys

Written by Tatiana Massano | November 27, 2018

The rock band Arctic Monkeys recently completed their 2018 UK tour in support of their recent album Tranquility Base Hotel + Casino. The tour seduced the crowds with a mix of the band’s popular songs and tracks off the new album that were combined with stage aesthetics that matched the music they were playing. Lighting Designer Paul Normandale installed our RoscoLED Tape VariWhite inside several set elements to convey a retro-futuristic setting of their fictional Tranquility Base Hotel + Casino.

The stage set, produced by Brilliant Stages, featured almost 100m of RoscoLED Tape. Rosco’s high-quality LED tape was integrated inside a moving, hexagonal-shaped structure overhead, inside the set risers as pocket inlays, and it was used to illuminate the MONKEYS lettering on the top of the stage.

Designers at Brilliant Stages commented: “We really enjoyed working with the RoscoLED Tape. We have used it on numerous projects over the past few years. LED tape has an unreliable stigma attached to it in the touring world and so far, Rosco hasn’t let us down – even in the vigorous environments of rock ‘n’ roll touring.” Each reel of RoscoLED Tape VariWhite features a robust, 3 oz. copper heat sink - compared to the 1 ounce of copper found in most other LED ribbon products. The thicker copper base of RoscoLED Tape not only minimizes potential for damage to the electronic circuits during handling and installation, but it also provides efficient thermal management for the emitters, allowing them to run cooler and extend their lifespan.

RoscoLED Tape’s accuracy and reliability are the main reasons why Lighting Designer Paul Normandale chose it for this project. He said: “In essence, I wanted a reliable, tourable tape that provided warm and cold white consistently and accurately.” RoscoLED Tape VariWhite is available in two variants: 3000K - 6000K, and our unique, VariWhite Ultra that offers extra warmth with its 1800K - 6000K color temperature range.

Paul chose the 3000K - 6000K product as he alternated between warmer and cooler color temperatures to achieve the desired visual and thematic looks on stage. He also used several of our RoscoLED Variable PWM DMX Decoders to provide smooth, flicker-free control of the various areas where the RoscoLED Tape was installed. This enabled him to individually control the light intensity and color temperature of those areas to create the illuminated look he needed during the performance.

For more information about Arctic Monkeys’ upcoming concert tour dates, visit their website. If you would like to learn more about the product Paul Normandale used to create the retro-futuristic vibe of the Tranquility Base Hotel + Casino on stage, explore the RoscoLED Tape VariWhite product webpage.