Case Study

Rocking the Stage: STYX’s Tour

Rocking the Stage: STYX’s Tour
Styx Performing Live with Laser Show

This year, STYX embarked on a tour with fellow rock legends Foreigner, bringing not just their classic hits but also a stunning visual experience and laser show to the stage. ShowLive SFX made this possible, whose incredible laser show captivated audiences and added a new dimension to the performances.

STYX, known for their unique blend of progressive rock, hard rock, and ballads, have left an indelible mark on the music world with hits like “Come Sail Away,” “Renegade,” and “Mr. Roboto.” Their collaboration with ShowLive SFX on this tour ensured that fans experienced these iconic songs in a whole new light, with the laser show enhancing the emotional and visual impact of their performances.

Introducing ShowLive SFX: The Company Behind the Lasers

ShowLive SFX in their studio

For their 2024 tour, STYX’s Production Manager Brian Wong and Tour Manager Tracey Weideman, made the strategic decision to bring on ShowLive SFX, to elevate their performances to new heights. ShowLive SFX offers full turn-key special effects, specializing in pyrotechnics, and lasers for touring, festivals, and corporate shows. Given Brian and Tracy’s successful collaboration with ShowLive SFX on a previous tour, they were the perfect choice to manage the band's laser show. ShowLive SFX, founded by production veterans Cole Bibler and Hayden Hale, has a strong reputation in the live event industry with a combined 45 years of expertise.

Hayden Hale, with a background in touring and programming, has an impressive resume that includes tours for Taylor Swift, Drake, Paul McCartney, Kid Rock, Lade Gaga, and many more. Cole Bibler, with a degree in Music Business and Production, has worked on tours for major artists like Beyoncé, Metallica, Marilyn Manson, Paul McCartney, and TSO, bringing a wealth of experience in creating unforgettable live experiences.

The Laser Show Technology Used

Aerial laser effects projecting overhead at Styx concert

The design process for the tour began with a clear vision to create laser effects that seamlessly blend with the band’s lighting design, amplifying the emotional impact of each performance. To achieve this, Lighting Designer Libby Gray, who has been working with STYX for over twenty years, collaborated with Hayden Hale to create unique laser lighting looks that would complement each song’s design and emotion(s).

Pangolin BEYOND in use in ShowLive Studio

Hayden utilized Pangolin’s BEYOND software to create custom laser scenes for each performance and then used Depence to pre-visualize the laser and lighting interactions in real time. This allowed both Libby and Hayden to see exactly how the lasers would look in each show and make necessary adjustments before hitting the stage. By designing and presetting these laser scenes, the on-site Laser Operator Nate Jenkins could live busk in real-time and easily trigger them during performances. Creating scenes that go from green and purple to red and white, and pairing those looks with liquid sky effects and targeted beams to allow for a more dynamic, engaging show. This approach enabled ShowLive to deliver a truly unique visual experience for every concert, adapting to each venue and live performance.

To deliver the desired visual impact, ShowLive SFX deployed a combination of 4x Unity Elite 30 PRO FB4 lasers paired with 2x KVANT Atom 42W lasers. The KVANT Atom systems were used to create wide, sweeping effects that filled the stadiums. The Unity Elite 30 PRO lasers provided high-impact filler effects, perfectly complementing the Atom lasers and adding depth and punchiness to the overall laser design. As the systems are all built by Pangolin and KVANT, the connections patched together seamlessly on-site.

All of ShowLive’s lasers are equipped with Pangolin’s FB4 control hardware, ensuring seamless integration across various show environments, whether triggered via timecode, console commands, live busking, or stand-alone operations. This flexibility enables ShowLive to take on diverse types of shows, offering a wider range of creative options to their clients.

By combining the power of Pangolin’s BEYOND software, KVANT lasers, and Unity Lasers, ShowLive SFX crafted a dynamic visual experience that aligned perfectly with the band’s artistic vision. This collaboration highlights Showlive’s dedication to creating impactful, memorable moments at every show, reinforcing its reputation as a leader in live event production.

View ShowLive Online

Set Crew

  • Production Manager: Brian Wong
  • Tour Manager: Tracey Weideman
  • Styx Lighting Director: Libby Gray
  • Lighting Crew Chief: Chris Edrington
  • Lighting Techs: Mark “Paint” Liatos, Mike Mundrick, Evan Brittain
  • Special Effects Programmer: Hayden Hale
  • Special Effects Operator: Nate Jenkins
  • Lighting: Premier Global Production

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