CASE STUDIES.
STARKID, HEADLINE SHOW
ROLE: PRODUCTION_DESIGN_&_LD
CLIENT: STARKID / MANAGEMENT_TEAM
SCOPE: CONCEPT_TO_DELIVERY_DESIGN
TOUR TIMELINE: SPRING_2024
DESIGN DEVELOPMENT PERIOD: EARLY_2024
It's StarKid, Innit? marked StarKid's debut performance at the iconic London Palladium.
Known for their cult musical following and vibrant fanbase, the challenge was to translate their dynamic storytelling and humour into a live concert setting that resonated with both long-time fans and new audiences.
STUDIO JET was commissioned to lead the lighting and production design, ensuring that the show's visual elements complemented the group's unique style.
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Capture StarKid's Essence: Design a visual narrative that reflects the group's roots and comedic flair.
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Adaptability: Create a design that could be efficiently implemented within the constraints of a headline show.
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Technical Excellence: Ensure seamless integration of lighting and production elements to enhance the live experience.
The design process spanned early 2024 to the headline show in spring 2024, during which STUDIO JET collaborated closely with StarKid's team. The goal was to develop a production that was both visually striking and logistically feasible for a one-off headline show.
Key Design Elements:
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Dynamic Lighting Sequences: Crafted to match the energy and pacing of StarKid's musical numbers.
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Thematic Visuals: Incorporated colour schemes and lighting motifs that echoed the group's signature style.
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Efficient Load-In/Out: Designed with modular components to facilitate quick setup and teardown within the venue's time constraints.
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Technical Specifications:
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Lighting Console: GrandMA2 Full-size + GrandMA2 Light
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Fixtures Used:
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Additional Equipment:
"Chaotic, meta, energetic, self-aware—just a few words that define the StarKid identity.
Our job was to capture that energy in a headline show at the iconic London Palladium, and translate their storytelling into a live design that felt like an extension of their world.
We took inspiration from DIY punk meets a glowing tungsten theatrical retro vibe. The centre of the design was a star shaped riser configuration, the decking formed the top three points of a traditional star. The two bottom points of the star were represented vertically through an array of 2 cell blinders. Hung over several pipes to create a vertical array.
We worked closely with our lighting supplier, to complete a compact system that could handle the rigours of a tight rehearsal-to-doors timeline.
With only limited access to stage ahead of time our set time, the team built the show file in advance with full previs, ensuring that we hit our focus marks within the first few hours of load-in.
Visually, we leaned into StarKid’s storytelling shifts. The vertical arrays of blinders allowed for many high-energy pixel mapped effects, while also able to provide an intimate tungsten glow for acoustic and solo moments. Astera tubes outlined the floor portion of the star design and allowed for a sleek finish trim. It also provided scope to tie into the pixel effects running across the upstage arrays.
The balance, between polish and playfulness, was at the core of our design process."
Kit List
30x 2-Cell Blinders
24x Astera Titan/Helios Tubes
8x GLP X4 Bars
8x SGM Q-7
40x Robe LED Beam 150
26x Ayrton Karif-LT
20x Ayrton Mistral
2x Unique2.1 Hazer
2x AF-1 DMX Fan
2x GrandMA2 Full-size
1x GrandMA2 Light
The concert was met with enthusiastic acclaim, both from attendees and the broader fan base. The production design successfully encapsulated the group's vibrant energy, enhancing the overall audience experience.
STUDIO JET's ability to deliver a high-quality, adaptable design within a tight timeframe showcased how our intrinsic and precise planning allows for seamless execution under pressure—ensuring artistic integrity, technical reliability, and consistent audience impact across every performance.
Whether it's out on the road or one-off headline shows we are here to bring your stage to life. We are passionate about representing our artists authentically and creating immersive live experiences for patrons.
At STUDIO JET one of the things we enjoy most is working across genres and musical styles. We enjoy creating atmosphere and working with our artists to build a design that represents them.
Our Designers, Programmers and Operators have a wide range of knowledge and diverse skillset in designing for music. We design for Pop, Rock, Jazz, Funk, Indie, MT, Punk. Get in touch today.
Planning is in our DNA. We will take projects from concept through to the truck doors closing. We are intrinsic planners and problem solvers. Many of our Lighting Directors also work as Production Managers and Tour Managers as the fine detail is second nature to us.