Beyoncé performed at the Brit Awards (19 February) against a backdrop and stage provided by drapes and rigging specialists Blackout, in collaboration with set company Steel Monkey.

Performing her latest single XO for the first time on television, Beyoncé sang in front of bespoke fabric backdrops provided by Blackout.

An 8m by 12m fine gauze screen obscured the star as she began her performance. She stood in between three steel boxes, also provided by Blackout, which were layered with white voile and created projection surfaces for video display during the performance.

As Beyoncé sang the opening lyrics, the gauze screen raised at over 1m per second. The singer moved around the stage as the 2.5m2 steel boxes projected stars, fireworks and abstracts of New York City’s skyline.

“Beyoncé’s performance gave us the opportunity to use two of our reveal products, especially our fast roller screen system,” Blackout’s Kevin Monks said. “They’re perfect for projection in this environment and are proving very popular with music acts.”

The screen surfaces on the stage boxes were custom-made by Blackout’s sewing department. “[The screen surfaces] worked really well for the simple, clean lines required by the production team,” Monks said. “The minimalism of a white backdrop allows the lights and projection to stand out both for the live audience and the TV viewers at home.”

Blackout also installed masking drapes within the main arena, drapes throughout the party area and velour and voile drapes in the artists’ bar.

Photo credit: Andrew Timms. 

Do you have news for Access All Areas? Email ehudson@mashmedia.net 

Posted on: 25/2/14 

Beyoncé performed at the Brit Awards (19 February) against a backdrop and stage provided by drapes and rigging specialists Blackout, in collaboration with set company Steel Monkey.

Performing her latest single XO for the first time on television, Beyoncé sang in front of bespoke fabric backdrops provided by Blackout.

An 8m by 12m fine gauze screen obscured the star as she began her performance. She stood in between three steel boxes, also provided by Blackout, which were layered with white voile and created projection surfaces for video display during the performance.

As Beyoncé sang the opening lyrics, the gauze screen raised at over 1m per second. The singer moved around the stage as the 2.5m2 steel boxes projected stars, fireworks and abstracts of New York City’s skyline.

“Beyoncé’s performance gave us the opportunity to use two of our reveal products, especially our fast roller screen system,” Blackout’s Kevin Monks said. “They’re perfect for projection in this environment and are proving very popular with music acts.”

The screen surfaces on the stage boxes were custom-made by Blackout’s sewing department. “[The screen surfaces] worked really well for the simple, clean lines required by the production team,” Monks said. “The minimalism of a white backdrop allows the lights and projection to stand out both for the live audience and the TV viewers at home.”

Blackout also installed masking drapes within the main arena, drapes throughout the party area and velour and voile drapes in the artists’ bar.

Photo credit: Andrew Timms. 

Do you have news for Access All Areas? Email ehudson@mashmedia.net 

Posted on: 25/2/14