The shift may be gradual, but big-name musical acts are beginning to be more mindful about the involvement of visualists, closer in their collaboration, and quicker to credit the visual artists. And well they should: adding powerful visuals to a set and promoting the visual artists involved is now a terrific way to promote the musical act, too.
One example: DJ Sasha, the Ableton-based DJ and electronic artist, has a terrific-looking LED-based show that accompanies him, the work of Picnic Electronic (the visualist, not the Montreal outdoor party) and Immersive. Details from Sasha:
The V_rtek show has been meticulously produced by Sasha and visual artists, Picnic Electronic (Alexis, Baillat & Fils] and Immersive (formerly the Pixel Addicts), and is a huge LED masterpiece that syncs with every intricate sound in Sasha’s set. He wanted to create a unique and totally spellbinding visual and sonic assault on the senses and has been developing this show over the last 8 months. The first of these shows was unveiled at Big Day Out in Australia earlier this year and can be seen here http://www.youtube.com/djsasha#p/a/u/0/sfvHjHEbjKY. However those at Glastonbury on Friday will witness a much bigger, more expanded and more visually and sonically intricate show which has now been named the V_rtek Show. However those at Glastonbury on Friday will witness a much bigger, more expanded and more visually and sonically intricate show which has now been named the V_rtek Show.
To me, oversize LED walls still lack the range of expression and detail that projectors can provide, but they can make up for that in sheer impact. And the show is nicely done; I can imagine it fits perfectly with Sasha’s live sets.
Check out more of the videos on Sasha’s YouTube channel:
http://www.youtube.com/user/theRealDjSasha