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Above: Depeche in set-up mode with Stageco crew Mathias Ancia, Kevin De Meyer (crew chief), Thomas Boulogne & Koen Van Nuenen. Below: The building of twin front of house risers and delay towers was also on Stageco’s ‘to do’ list.
every type of problem imaginable, and we always find a way to improvise around it. While we were waiting for the missing kit, I had some hammers in my car and one of our team was able to buy a new measuring laser so we could at least do some levelling and scaffolding. The driver eventually arrived at 3pm on our first build day and day three we had made up so much time that we had completed the job an hour ahead of schedule.” During the build – which included construction of the spot/delay towers, two front of house risers and VIP platforms – Stageco’s 11-person team was assisted by local crew. The team was reduced to six for show day. Developed by Bart Dekelver from Stageco’s R&D department, the stage itself was a four-tower format construction measuring 26m wide and 22m high with a 16.5m deep playing area.
To the sides of the stage, Stageco built canopy roofs for the PA and video wings, bringing the total width to 54m. As soon as the build commenced, everything went to plan although the venue’s architecture forced a minor change, as De Meyer explained: “Due to the extended junctions in the London Stadium roof, we needed to move the stage forward by two metres compared to the original drawing in order to avoid hitting our crane.” “Having Stageco on the tour gives us confidence,” commented Tony Gittins, the production manager who has been involved with Depeche Mode for 12 years. He has liaised with Stageco’s Tom Bilsen and Dirk Lauenstein throughout the project. “A few
Crew & set-up photographyPhotography © Mark Cunningham © Insomniac
STAGECO INTERNATIONAL NEWS
SUMMER 2017