Sunday, March 13, 2011

Between The Lines-Radiohead

Bulletproof...I Wish I Was
The Lighting & Stage Design of Andi Watson

Christopher Scoates
Chronicle Books
2011

This beautiful book details the component of concert going most fans take for granted, lighting design, concentrating on the work and art of Andi Watson. He is best associated with his decade long collaboration with Radiohead and their increasingly innovative tours, from 'Kid A' to the 'In Rainbows' shows of 2010, which are very well represented here. Among the other bands that Watson has worked with and are generously covered in the book are Counting Crows, Lenny Kravitz, Oasis, Dido, and Arctic Monkeys.
This is a very specific aspect of live music not usually given it's due and the three narrative essays are highly informative, albeit extremely technical, almost textbook-like in their language. What you do get as a casual fan is an amazingly designed book with literally hundreds of photos and schematics that showcase the art and history of modern day lighting design. The pictures included are gorgeous and any fan of Radiohead would love to have this impressive book in their collection.

Radiohead World Tour 2006

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