HELENE FISCHER
Concerts & Touring
WI had the opportunity to breathe to life the vibrant stage design for the Rausch Live Tour 2023 of schlager superstar and acrobatic power lady Helene Fischer and her creative team. Nothing beats the feeling when such a spectacular gig explodes full glory after 6 months of intensive end-to-end preparation. Together with an awesome Cirque du Soleil who created the show and the Live Nation production, our team supported with engineering, fabrication and automation of the complete stage structure with integrated catwalk system and performer winches.
DIAMOND
And besides the numerous performer winches, the kinetic ring is very often used as an acrobatic tool for even more flying effects. A total of 13 winches in the roof: 3 left and 3 right + 4 in the mother grid, 2 in the front for B-stage entry and revolving ladder and 2 for the scenic moon.
KINETIC RING
Central above the diamond is a mother grid that houses the spectacular raining system and the ‘kinetic ring’ playing several parts in the series of show effects. If you haven’t seen the show and don’t know the artist, then here’s a clue: there are many aerial performances by both the artist and her Cirque entourage.
And besides the numerous performer winches, the kinetic ring is very often used as an acrobatic tool for even more flying effects. A total of 13 winches in the roof: 3 left and 3 right + 4 in the mother grid, 2 in the front for B-stage entry and revolving ladder and 2 for the scenic moon.
The ‘kinetic ring’ plays several parts in an amazing series of show effects including aerial performances and the spectacular Ruby reveal opening scene
VIDEO SCREEN
Also hung from the ceiling, a huge automated see-through video screen that can open and close again often used in combination with the band platform upstage on 2 risers that can split open.
REVEAL EFFECT
Moreover the ring is key structure for the spectacular opening scene figuring Helene casted in a brilliant ‘Ruby reveal effect’. Credits to Showtex who used their High Speed Reveal to make this magic happen. The structure smoothly moving combined with the magnificent red fabric unwrapping, is no doubt one of the many highlight show effects.
STAGE ELEVATORS
The stage holds no less than 3 lifts.
Upstage there is a lift of 4x2m in front of the video wall that is used for props, dancers and technicians. This lift also has a complementary scenic plug that can be mounted on the platform to go above stage level. Dancers can appear and disappear in group and a drum set comes up in another segment of the show.
Central in the stage is a fast circular performer lift that has direct access to Helene’s understage quick dressing room for costume changeovers. The lift opening can be instantly filled with smoke via special smoke inlets.
Moving a bit more downstage we have our amazing TP05 lift that is used frequently during the show to lift the artist(s) high above stage level.
MOVING STAGES
Also count in WIMOTION controlled WITRACKS to move the Fischer stages. “The B-stage ‘sails’ into position through the audience during the interval, after it is detached from the main stage,” says Peeters (WI team lead). Not content with that impressive deed, the B-stage splits after its use by Fischer and slowly glides back through the audience to its original position as part of the main stage during Fischer’s visit to the C-stage”. Quote IQ – A high note Helene Fischer on tour. - https://www.iq-mag.net/2023/06/a-high-note-helene-fischer-on-tour/
The B-stage splits after its use by Fischer and slowly glides back through the audience to its original position as part of the main stage.
WATER EFFECT
WI are truly excited about the collaboration with Crystal Group, the French company based in Paris specialised in water show effects. The structure is WI, pumps and all water management intelligence is Crystal Group. When engineers find their peers even in different drawing software, a beautiful effect comes to life. Add the touring efficiency that is imprinted in our DNA and a refined and compact automated water effect emerges. The most complex project of the set made easy thanks to a close collaboration of both of our engineering departments.
The water curtain as such is impressive but what’s also definitely jaw dropping is the basin on stage, being able to flood or drain or even fill with cold fog and always heated water for the performer. A variety of effects all in one nifty touring system built in 30 minutes during load-in. And a close collaboration with the FX team from ER in charge of the flaming ring.
WIND EFFECT
In the underworld there is a complete grid of ventilators with custom hatches towards the stage for creating the amazing effect of ‘the blowing in the wind dress’.
WI technically supported for water, wind and fire effects in close collab with the FX teams of our partners.
GREAT OPERATORS
Fair credits go to all the crew and especially to Lukas, an experienced performer flying operator who controlled the complete automation during the show. Coming from a stunt flying background he only received his training on our WIMOTION platform during the preparations at WI and quickly adapted to run this complex show in a few months.
When during rehearsals a robotic arm was added for a spectacular effect we were asked to provide an additional operator for this effect who could serve a double role as back up operator for WI and operate this robotic arm. David Evans a newly WIMOTION trained operator who found his way to lovely Heist-op-den-Berg has played this role magnificently. If you are interested in becoming a WIMOTION operator or engineer yourself, feel free to apply here…
Undoubtedly 1 of the most complex but also most fulfilling WI projects of 2023 – Raf Peeters
WI TEAM
Credits go to the entire WI team including the star leading our troops or PJ Nouwynck admitting he owns the Hawai-ironed shirt during the fotoshoot for TPi’s review you can read here: https://issuu.com/mondiale/docs/tpi276_digitallr.
- Raf Peeters - Project Lead
- Stijn Cools - Project Manager
- Pieterjan Nouwynck – Crew Chief onsite
- Lesly Van Rompaey – WIMOTION Integration Lead
- Wessel Fortuin – Lead Engineer
- Jonas Vanwezemael – Lead Designer
PRODUCTION PARTNERS
- LiveNation GSA
- Cirque Du Soleil
- Solotech
- Crystal Group
- Showtex
Together with a premium selection of creative, productional and tech suppliers.