White Light and Bug Productions Reunite King Nun Frontman with Fans in Virtual World

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, White Light (WL) and Bug Productions joined forces to create FLUX, a hybrid performance space safely connecting artist, fan, and host for a live music experience. Following their first European headline tour and cancellation of the US leg due to lockdown, King Nun frontman Theo Polyzoides was the first artist to perform in this immersive environment.

Utilizing technical solutions specialist WL's socially distanced SmartStage studio in London, Polyzoides was joined by music reporter Jimmy Blake, to deliver the intimate gig for an exclusive group of fans. From the safety of remote participation, the fans were able to enjoy a front-row virtual experience and up close personal interaction with the artist.

Lee Dennison, WL's head of business development explains: "As lockdown started, many artists started recording themselves singing or playing at home on their phones and streaming this out to the world, which fast became a very tired format. Speaking with our friends at Bug Productions, we agreed that this was down to a vital missing element -- the sense of connection to a time and place in which to experience the music with others. We also knew that artists were really struggling with the lack of engagement with their fans during this surreal time. With SmartStage, we had the technology to bring artists, fans, and presenters together virtually like never before, for the pure enjoyment and escapism of live music during these uncertain times."

The FLUX set featured real and virtual lighting, quality audio recording and XR content, all powered by a disguise media server. MalfMedia creative director, Michael Al-Far and director of photography and lighting designer Chris Hollier both dialled in remotely, making live changes to the real-time content in response to production requirements during rehearsals. Camera tracking and bespoke content rendered using Notch helped to bring the immersive environment to life, connecting the participants for a shared experience, without any need for personal headsets.

A combination of Arri Sky Panels, Martin Mac Aura XBs and ETC Source 4 Lustre 2s were used to achieve the various looks. The Sky panels provided wash lighting, to emulate the changing environment of the virtual world and the Auras gave a more focused effect using BlackTrax to follow the movement of the artist so they were free to roam around the stage. The Source 4s provided generic key lighting for the center stage.

The audio was recorded live using a Shure Axient Digital Transmission system and traditional large diaphragm mic techniques. Two channels of Shure's Axient ADX Transmitters allowed for the guitar and personal microphone capture for the interviews. This resulted in a clean stage, free of equipment cables and technology.

Blake says: "One of the hardest parts of lockdown has been the mental struggle of having the same routine. FLUX feels like a perfect little slice of escapism for both artists and fans; the sort of thing we all miss as music lovers. The acts genuinely seem to love being on a proper stage again and the fans are always in their element when they are in the front row, so being able to hand the show over to them feels pretty special. When I first saw the set it blew my mind, the team have created something incredible, which would have been impressive in a normal world, let alone doing so without ever being in the same room!"

FLUX presents Theo Polyzoides highlights video now available via https://youtu.be/fe1dD7KAiA0