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WI Creations creates technical solution for Epica

Coen Janssen, keyboardist with Dutch symphonic rock band Epica, wanted to be able to move his keyboards up, down, along and around the stage throughout their live performances. WI Creations’ project manager Koen Peeters was initially approached by Epica’s lighting designer Erwin van Lokeren and asked to propose a tourable solution.

With only three weeks from receiving the order to delivering the finished completely bespoke product to the band in time for the start of a new world tour, WI designed and fabricated two different systems to suit different venue/stage sizes and scenarios.

One system is a complete riser built from 15 sections with a fully integrated 10 metre U-shaped track, into which the bottom of the keyboard stand pillar is guided, allowing Coen to freely move the keyboard rig along the track at the speed of his choosing. Braked wheels are also included on the base of the keyboard stand and can be used if desired.

For smaller venues and festivals there is a stand-alone version of the same shaped tracking system, designed to be utilized for overseas shows, festivals, etc., and carried as part of a specials package. In both cases the systems break down into components that fit tidily into custom dollies for practical transportation that is expedient on truck space, or in the case of the stand-alone version, that fits into a single bespoke box pallet for air freighting.

Coen’s previous keyboard stand could already rotate, but for this WI built a completely new industrial strength mechanism to ensure it was compatible with the tracking system. The larger system is designed in a rolling riser format, made up from 15 staging sections with wheeled legs (one metre and 60 cm. leg options are both in the dollies) which lock together using coffin-pins. These can be pre-built behind the scene and rolled into place to ensure a quick change over during festival gigs.

There are two shelf areas either side on the upstage sections for storing associated and other kit underneath. In this configuration, the drum riser sits directly in front of the keyboard riser. In the stand-alone version the track and the rotating keyboard stand packs down into one shallower dolly. This is ideal for smaller space venues like clubs, bars or small theatres and it can also be used in conjunction with locally supplied risers. For festivals it can be deployed onstage in under 20 minutes - which was one of the briefs from the band and their technical team.

(Photos: Tim Tronckoe)

www.wicreations.com

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