Willie Williams, legendary creative director and live event production designer, recorded a TED Talk in Vancouver, B.C., about his work on the inaugural residency at Sphere Las Vegas with U2 and his thoughts on the future of live design.
U2: UV Achtung Baby Live at Sphere in Las Vegas was notable for a many reasons: The breathtaking video images from Williams' Treatment Studio, groundbreaking sound from HOLOPLOT, an extraordinary immersive media design system from Disguise, staging from Stufish that was somehow inclusive in the vast space, and a lighting design that enhances the audiences experience of the screen rather than fighting with it.
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Williams has a long history of pushing the boundaries of live design, beginning with punk acts in the 1970s and changing the face of rock shows with his longterm work with U2 , which over the years have incorporated cars suspended over the stage, giant Hoberman spheres containing projection screens, and a claw-like structural stage for 360-degree audience views.
Watch Williams' TED Talk on the Sphere residency here, or visit Live Design's Project in Focus for U2@Sphere for an interview or to watch a Live Design webcast on his career in live events, including his work with R.E.M, George Michael and others.