Finding a Sound for Design

Looking at existing visual performances and how the technological age is already being used in live performance is important for gaging the general audience and current practicality and aesthetics of what's already in place. It seems to be that DJs are utilising this immersive experience to a higher degree than bands, as there is not much for the crowd to watch in comparison to a live band. Whilst some of the examples explored immerse their entire bodies within the screen based designs, for a band perhaps it would be more practical to have it in the background to enhance the visuals whilst maintaining the spotlight on their structure and performance. Thus, the screen based design should enhance and accompany and not take over.

Article:
https://creativesocialblog.com/uncategorized/10-mind-blowing-audio-visual-shows

Flying Lotus: You're Dead – Live Tour
USE OF CUBE

New levels - looks at how light projects can manipulate the display graphics - the use of a cube to distort - light projection is an important consideration

Eric Prydz: EPIC 3.0

USE OF HOLOGRAM

Clark: Phosphor

USE OF OSCILLOSCOPE 

Oscilloscope - 'type of electronic test instrument that allows observation of constantly varying signal voltages, usually as a two-dimensional plot of one or more signals as a function of time. Other signals (such as sound or vibration) can be converted to voltages and displayed.' - Wikipedia 

 

The green aesthetic is constant throughout his working, creating an almost brand for his visual identity. This could be something to consider moving forward. 

Conclusion:

• It is apparent that the sound dictates the type of visuals used
• Thus it seems to be about finding the sound and then complimenting it with relevant imagery and visuals
• As electronic music is made digitally, the digital orientated and thematic imagery seems appropriate 
• More traditional instrumental music could have more traditional artistic techniques - as seen with Norman McLaren and Len Lye
• Psychedelic sounds would be well matched with a kind of colourful and exuberant aesthetic, like that of the Beatles 'yellow submarine' animation film, or more modernly seen with MGMT's screen based productions. 
• Sort of Pop Art styles - vibrant, solid colours with block imagery 

Exploring options for band / song accordingly:

Circulatory System - Joy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_jidcdzXuU

Goat - World Music (2012) [Full Album]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOwkQ2MH9aw

Goatman song

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BihUCqQp-Rs

Electric Moon - Gefährliche Planetengirls

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0M0enrCYo1A

existing performances - already have a strong visual identity with their masks and quirky performances, would like to find a band with more of a clean slate to develop their visual identity .

Goat - Live at Pukklepop Festival 2015 (Part 1)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OgrapddmbFM

Goat - Live - 2013 Full Show

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ys9Qps5a40

Review on live performance; The Flaming Lips 
- set design and prop incorporation
- 'psychpop experimentalists'
- 'a band renowned for joyous psychedelic extravaganzas....a 35-year good trip'
- 'their traditional form as the embodiment of cartoon psychedelia'
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2017/jan/22/the-flaming-lips-review-potent-hit-of-feelgood-psychedelia

End decision - Brief & Concept:

Mile High Club 
Album: 'Skiptracing' 2016 

A modern band that has a lot of room for expansion and malleability. They haven't done many large scale performances and so are a perfect blank canvas to build their live stage identity, aiding their USP and UX respectively. 

Project title: Skiptracing
Client name: Mild High Club
Budget: Keep costs low, experiment with mediums and cheep production methods
Project overview: (project summary/ research sources & findings) Use a variation of animation techniques - stop motion/ hand drawn/ painted/ loops. Needs to be very colourful,  can include light projections concurrently to background screen visuals
Project objective: (detailed goals/ desired outcomes) to enhance the UX of an audience at a concert - building an immersive experience that brings heightened context to the music and a stronger connection between audience and performer
Marketing guidelines: (existing branding standards) 
Marketing materials: (website signage/ banners/ event/ display ads/ social media) 
Target audience: (primary & secondary demographic) People into the genre of psychedelic rock - subcultures /alternative (out of the mainstream) age varies probably around 16-30y/o with the weight of audience being 18-24 as a general area/ people who enjoy live music
Call to action: (desired reaction of TA) Build up a fan base, sell more records/ concert tickets, invest money into carrying on building, influence others to use light projections and screen based design to take live performances into the new technological age 
Campaign look & feel: (desired style) Psychedelia, full of colour and shape, random, misfitting objects / surrealism 
Message: (key benefit of the product/ its value) Promote and expand audience involvement in a concert, to reinforce the goals of psychedelic rock in the 70s of the relationship between performer and audience and moulding the medium of music into an artistic experience
Competitive analysis: (competitors - their message/ research/ findings) MGMT, Tame Impala, The Flaming Lips - all now older bands on breaks, there is a gap in the market for a new face - with growing popularity in the visual trend of collaging and surrealism 
Imagery: (graphics/ photography/ multimedia) Want to explore plasticine/ play dough, paintings, pen drawings as well as digital effects and mediums - kaleidoscope/ mirroring/ warping - film effects - fish eye/ pixelation and so on