When Harry Styles launched his “Together Together” world tour in Amsterdam this last May, it brought an ambitious production onto the road for what is scheduled to be a run of more than 100 shows worldwide. With an 80-truck production, multiple stadium dates, and a 30-night residency at Madison Square Garden, the tour demands equipment that delivers consistently across a wide range of environments. For laser programmer Jack Hooper, the X-Laser package has proven more than capable of meeting that challenge.
A Flexible Laser Package for a Massive Production
Supplied by Planet SFX, the laser system comprises six 100W X-Laser Skywriters, 12 60W Skywriters and 12 40W Tritons. Hooper, who programs the laser cues triggered by the lighting team, uses the fixtures across three songs, where they provide a distinctive visual character that sets them apart in the show.
“It’s nice having one brand because it means we can have one system, and we don’t have to worry about integrating multiple things,” says Hooper. “For this show, programming was really about giving the creative team as much flexibility as possible while keeping the system simple and reliable on the road. We built the workspace so they could try different looks and ideas quickly.”
Lasers Integrated Into the Overall Design
The lasers form an integrated part of the production rather than a standalone effect. Two 60W Skywriters sit atop two large PA towers, shooting down behind Styles and creating a dense cage of beams around the performer. Eight additional 60W Skywriters are positioned along the downstage edge, four on either side, providing the primary aerial effects from the stage. The 40W Tritons are integrated into the lighting position along the top of the IMAG screen and at the bottom of delay towers, where they help extend the laser looks toward the back.
The six 100W Skywriters are positioned on audience platforms on either side of the venue. Hooper selected the higher-output fixtures for these locations to ensure the beams could cut through the large environments and reach as far into the audience as possible.
“A lot of this show is making the people at the back of the stadium feel as involved as the people at the front,” he explains. “This stage is massive and we have so much area to cover.”
Adapting the Laser Looks
Most of the time, the laser effect cuts over the audience to spread immersion as far down the room as possible. However, the laser positioning can vary from venue to venue. In Brazil, for example, nearby airports restricted the available termination points, so Hooper moved the audience-positioned fixtures high into the bleachers behind the stage, allowing the beams to shoot safely over the crowd while maintaining the desired visual impact.
That flexibility has also been useful during the tour’s current Madison Square Garden residency. With other events taking place at the venue, the production is expected to undergo approximately 20 load-ins and resets during the residency, allowing setup adjustments and varied laser positions.
Built to Perform in Tough Conditions
The fixtures have also faced some particularly demanding environmental conditions. After rehearsals in April, the tour has already taken Hooper and the production through 10 shows in Amsterdam, 12 in London, four in Brazil and six in Mexico City. The lasers have encountered intense summer heat in London, high temperatures in Brazil and heavy rain during Mexico’s rainy season.
“The conditions we’ve been putting these lasers through are tough,” says Hooper. “In London, some of the units sat directly in the sun during a heat wave. Then we went to Brazil, with high temperatures, and in Mexico it was the rainy season. There were some days when I thought, surely we’re not going to be able to do a show today, but somehow we managed and the lasers worked.”
The IP-rated X-Laser fixtures have provided the protection needed to keep the system performing through those conditions, while their output has remained strong enough for the large-scale stadium application.
“The X-Laser fixtures have been really good overall,” Hooper says. “The power is even good in a stadium. We’re doing one song predominantly in red, and we get very even looks out of them, and for another song, in white, which was tricky because it’s a lot of pulsing white, they look great.” Quite a large atmospherics package further enhances the laser effects, helping the beams fill the large spaces.
Strong Performance Backed by Strong Support
An equally important part of Hooper’s experience has been the support X-Laser has provided throughout the tour. This is his first time working with the brand, and he says the manufacturer’s communication and willingness to respond to issues have been particularly valuable on a tour with a long schedule still ahead.
“The support is the main thing that I’ve really enjoyed with them, and the open communication,” he says. “We’ve got many dates next year, so it’s comforting knowing the communication with the manufacturer is so open.”
That support has extended beyond remote communication. When the production reached Brazil, an X-Laser service technician flew out to work directly with the team. “In Brazil, we did have one of the team come out and work with us,” Hooper adds. “The acknowledgment of any issues and willingness to adapt and talk to the people who are using the equipment has been great.”
Another key factor Hooper notes as important to the project’s success Planet SFX’s ability to deliver the complete 30-fixture package on a short timeline. “To be able to get 30 lasers out to us on relatively short notice was impressive.”
The successful delivery, combined with the fixtures’ performance through the tour’s demanding conditions, has given Hooper confidence in the system as “Together Together” continues around the world. The tour is scheduled to conclude August 28, 2027, at Wembley Stadium in London.
Photos: Julian Bajsel
About Elation
At Elation, we collaborate with leading professionals in the lighting industry to help bring extraordinary experiences to life. As a designer and manufacturer of a wide range of high-performance entertainment lighting products, we’re proud to be a trusted partner to top lighting professionals and production/rental houses around the world. Our commitment to quality, innovation, and creative solutions has made us a go-to resource in the industry. We also offer an advanced line of lighting control products through Obsidian Control Systems, and a full range of dependable specialty effects called Magmatic. Elation serves clients worldwide through offices in Los Angeles, Mexico City, Canada, and the Netherlands. We invite you to take a closer look at elationlighting.com
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