A concert tour by the Rolling Stones is guaranteed to be spectacular, and the recent Licks shows build upon a legendary track record of stage performances. A key element of the stage set was a retractable front faade on a suitably larger-than-life scale.
Operated by remote control, the fabric wall developed by Architen Landrell featured original artwork by Jeff Koons commissioned specially for the Licks tour.
By combining yacht furling technology with building-sized banner printing, Architen Landrell designed a system that enabled a 200ft x 60ft fabric wall to deploy in seconds. The system needed to be sufficiently robust and smooth-running to work with complete reliability every time in every city.
Ground breaking motorised drapes to the rear of the stage that extended to a height of over 20 meters, utilising marine fittings provided the basis for this innovative application and allowed a dramatic changing backdrop to the band.
Each of the drapes/blinds was provided in its own travelling cassette that speeded up the raising and lowering sequence, as well as protecting the artwork in transit. Architen Landrell also supplied the clear roofettes to the stage, and backdrop curtains.