Having worked with James Bay since his debut album over a decade ago, Liam crafted a lighting design that perfectly complemented the singer-songwriter’s signature anthems.
A key part of the lighting rig was the 48 x Ayrton Kyalami fixtures, with 24 positioned on the floor and 24 in the air. Liam’s decision to use so many Kyalami fixtures was driven by a desire for “a huge beamy look and also a large quantity of gobos.” When asked what he particularly liked about the fixture, he said “I thought that the beam was really good, especially when focused out into the audience. In a venue like Wembley, you get a continuous beam to the roof, which adds a huge sense of scale to the performance.”
The lighting design played a crucial role in shaping the atmosphere of the show, helping to emphasise both the soft, emotional moments and the high energy, guitar driven sections. Liam explained, “I particularly liked the different types of lights that were used. We had some extremely soft light and some extremely beamy light in the show. I think James’ music really does balance because sometimes we have a very slow acoustic moment, but on the other side, we have some huge guitar moments.”
For control, Liam used grandMA3 software, marking his first tour with the system. He was particularly impressed by how it streamlined his workflow: “I really liked using MA3 – this was my first tour using the software.
The recipes feature really made changing flown rigs each day super simple. I was able to create effects using recipes that would be impossible on MA2. The workflow also impressed me. Now I can take one MVR out of Vectorworks into Depence and MA3, saving a ton of time.”
Liam also shared that this was the first time his grandMA3 Light console – purchased from Ambersphere in 2021 – had been used in MA3 mode.
With a blend of cutting-edge lighting technology, creative vision, and over a decade of experience with James Bay’s music, Liam Tully’s design helped make the Wembley OVO Arena show a truly unforgettable experience for both the artist and his fans.
The lighting was supplied by Zeal, with Otis Benjamin operating the show in Europe, while Liam himself looked after the UK leg. The show was fully programmed by Liam, ensuring that every cue was carefully crafted to enhance the performance.
Credits:
Photography by Luke Dyson
Lighting Designer – Liam Tully
Lighting Operator (Europe) – Otis Benjamin
Lighting Supplier – Zeal