Robbie Williams XXV tour uses dynamic LED video solution from Leyard Europe

Extending its longstanding relationship with the Robbie Williams tour, Universal Pixels (UP) provided video equipment and crew for Robbie Williams’ 25 Years of Hits tour, which visited arenas across the UK and Ireland last autumn. An eye-catching and dynamic video setup included 270sqm of Leyard CLM10 CarbonLight mesh LED system, which was configured as a 25m wide x 8m high upstage screen, with a further 25sqm of Leyard CLM6 built into the risers to produce a neat solution, with frosted panels diffusing the Leyard 6mm LED product.

To fit with the British superstar’s famously entertaining live show, Tour Director, Ade Bullock, and Production Manager, John Lafferty, invited UP to provide a striking and dynamic video setup, and brought in Paul Normandale as a Show Designer, with whom they have a tried and tested relationship.

Integration Partner:

Universal Pixels

“UP always provides excellent service, which is why I’ve used them on numerous projects for many years now,” says Normandale. “We wanted to reflect Robbie’s 25-year career as a solo artist in a simple yet effective way, which would work across a world tour campaign encompassing a multitude of venues from arenas to festivals and stadiums, over the next few years.”

While working on the show design, Normandale began with the idea of Williams taking control of his career and music, which was translated via the use many of the artist’s own paintings and artworks for some of the visual content.

“I also thought it was important to provide Robbie with some access via the central walkway to the heart of the crowd, and have a clean, uncluttered stage,” he continues.

“We used a 25m wide rear video screen from Leyard Europe at the upstage edge and provided clear sightlines. In a move away from the conventional IMAG screen approach, it meant that both the artist and the band could become more visually integrated into the screen content.”

Paul Normandale
Show Designer, Robbie Williams XXV Tour

The giant LED setup comprised 270sqm of Leyard CLM10, configured as a 25m wide x 8m high upstage screen. A key piece of the elegant video design was the transparent screen on the risers, which, thanks to Kinesys motors, could move and provide moments of separation and depth, as well as an interplay with the visuals on the other screens.

“UP engineered the moving aspect to be as devoid of infrastructure as possible, and commissioned some clever custom metal work from Metal Man. In association with All Access Staging, a further 25sqm of Leyard CLM6 was built into the risers to produce a neat solution with frosted panels diffusing the Leyard 6mm LED product,” says Normandale. “The rear screen was lightweight and quick to assemble, while the tech access via the moving trusses allowed lights to be added and kept the whole rear stage free of fixtures.”

Both CLM10 and CLM6 are part of Leyard’s CarbonLight CLM Series, featuring a lightweight, mesh design to deliver a highly transparent appearance with low wind resistance characteristics for indoor and outdoor environments.

“The unique structural design of the Leyard CarbonLight CLM Series achieves the lightest weight per square meter in its class, using Leyard patented fibre moulding technology,” explains Leyard Europe’s Luke Marler-Hausen. “The LED solutions from the CLM Series have pioneered, patented and perfected the use of carbon fiber in the construction of LED displays, while maintaining a stunning appearance in any application.”

Robbie William’s XXV tour will continue in 2023, with concerts due to take place across major European cities including Bologna, Paris, Amsterdam, Berlin and Barcelona.

“We are deeply grateful to Universal Pixels and everyone involved in the tour production for trusting in Leyard Europe’s LED display solutions,” concludes Marler-Hausen. “In the words of Robbie Williams, ‘Europe 2023 – let’s do this’. We are thrilled to see our CarbonLight CLM Series used on the tour and cannot wait for the amazing shows taking place this year.”