Tween sensations and apparent skater boys, One Direction, turned to Brilliant Stages to deliver a skate park-themed stage for their latest stadium tour.

The 3D, diamond-shaped skate park stage spread across 54m x 21m and incorporated ego- and band-risers, perimeter ramps and screamers arranged on both sides of a central slope.

Working with designers Ray Winkler and Ric Lipson of Stufish, Brilliant Stages designed and built the decking and supporting framework that made up the skate park. They also delivered aluminium access stairs, onstage treads, handrails, skate bumper rails and tech areas. 

LED strips, waterproofed lighting positions and slip-resistant coating ensured that the stage was ready for all weather conditions. 

The entire set was designed and delivered to make the road crew’s life easier during the build-up. Mel Welch, Brilliant Stages’ CAD designer, believes that the crew is just as important as the stars on stage, she said: 

“As always, we have to consider the working crew as well as the artist, making sure there is as much storage and tech areas as possible to operate the show.” 

This consideration has so far kept the builders happy during the first stage of the tour. 

“Brilliant [Stages] are very good at the little details that make our life easier on the road,” said Darren Davidson-Morris, the head carpenter on the tour. “They have a solid understanding of how we have to work.“ 

One Direction’s ‘Where We Are‘ worldwide tour continues through October. 

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