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Neil Peart, Geddy Lee & Alex Lifeson

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Rush lighting director Howard Ungerleider discusses the Clockwork Angels tour stage show in new PLSN interview

Wed, Feb 13, 2013@8:44AM | comments removed/disabled

Longtime Rush lighting director Howard Ungerleider was interviewed for the February, 2013 issue of PLSN (Projection, Lights and Staging News) to discuss the lighting and stage show on Rush's Clockwork Angels tour. Howard also talks about how much he enjoys working with Rush:

... "The band members are true professionals, and what's also great is they all have a great sense of humor. Just look at the humorous videos they create and show just before they hit the stage. They are made up as characters with pot bellies, funny wigs and all. Even when we're not on tour and we go over to Alex's (Lifeson) house for a party, he comes out as a character, so yeah, great bunch of guys, very level-headed. The freedom that they give me with my lighting is very important and allows me to give them my best. I've done other acts where you're micro-managed to the point where you can't really be creative, which is not a good thing. When I use video, it's to bring you closer to the artist while not taking away from seeing the band on stage at the same time. It gives you a little bit of insight with the robotic cameras that we're using now - you can get right in on top of Neil Peart playing the drums, for instance. I'm using the perspective of the fan from the audience - I want to see different angles, viewpoints. I want to do lighting choreography, not only to the music, but also to the lyrics that trigger those cues. Half the show is run manually, which is a great experience!"

You can check out the entire interview online at this location along with this great photo gallery of the Clockwork Angels tour stage show. Thanks to Greg N for the heads up.

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