Gizmodo: concerts

This Helicopter Boys Nikon Coolpix S1000pj Video Was Definitely Made In Japan

Jack Loftus — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 14:00:00 EST

The setup looked ingenious. Using a series of photos and the projectors on a bunch of those quirky Nikon Coolpix S1000pj projector cameras, these two tots looked to be recreating a Daft Punk music video. Then they started dancing.

It was awkward to say the least, but as I said the ingenuity was there. A for effort, and all that, but I would have lost the cheerleaders during the "costume change." I was about to say they looked out of place, but then I stopped myself with a face palm because nothing could be out of place in a video like this.

The video was actually shot in late September, so I can only assume these guys are Japanese superstars by now. [YouTube via DesignBoom via Switched via Engadget]

Inside U2's Behemoth 74-Ton 360° LED Concert Screen

Jack Loftus — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 18:00:00 EDT

Love them or hate them, there's no denying U2 has a knack for bending light to its will. Their latest creation is no different. At 74 tons, it's an epic, morphing LED centerpiece for an already technology-heavy concert tour.

Based on a Hoberman Sphere, the criss-crossed network of aluminum, 25km of cables, and 888 LED screens is comprised of more than 1 million different pieces and 500,000 RGB pixels. When fully expanded, the seven-story shape swallows up the band with more than 3,800 square feet of space. It is assembled in a mere eight hours, and will be on tour with the band for 18 months.

The real kudos goes to the design team however, which consists of Willie Williams, Mark Fisher, Frederic Opsomer, and Chuck Hoberman (concept); and the folks at Innovative Design, Barco and Hoberman Associates.

Those large pylons in the larger pic are part of "the Claw," which holds the structure up during the performance. Larger still, and only partially seen in the image, is Bono's ego, whose immense size remains immeasurable. [Live Design via Lucept]

AT&T's Service Fail at Coachella Music Fest Renders Official iPhone App Useless

Adrian Covert — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 17:19:00 EDT

If you've ever been to Coachella, you know cell service isn't great. You'd think that AT&T, being a major event sponsor, would make sure their service worked in support of Coachella's iPhone app, right? Wrong.

According to the Twitter masses AT&T's voice and data we're down for the large majority of this past weekend's event, with many of the complaints coming from AT&T and iPhone users. Searching around for tales of poor Sprint or Verizon coverage yielded next to nothing, but one BB Storm owner praised his Verizon service at Coachella.

Coachella's iPhone app was supposed to let you do cool things like stay updated on set times, view interactive maps, find friends and upload photos. Apparently, much of that wasn't functional. Maybe next year, guys! [Coachella Cell Complaints, Here, Here, Here, Here, Here and VZW BB Storm Praise]

The Amazing Tech, Lasers and Lights Behind a Nine Inch Nails Concert

Jack Loftus — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 15:00:00 EDT

Trent Reznor, front man for Nine Inch Nails, is no stranger to cool tech, incredibly in-depth viral and ARG marketing campaigns, and new ways to entertain his fans live in concert. During their current Lights in the Sky tour, they let Wired writer Brian Gardiner and photographer Jon Snyder record and catalog basically everything that goes on behind the scenes to make things tick. That includes a system run entirely by Linux; hundreds of LED lights, lasers; intentional BSoD's, and "Stealth Screens"—huge, interactive marvels of tech and engineering that Reznor and his band mates can pass through and control in real time as the concert unfolds. "I'm not really a purist," Reznor told Wired. "If I'm in the studio working on an album, I try to only please myself. But when it's a tour, it feels a bit more like I have a responsibility to some degree to entertain people." No shit. [Wired]

Pop-Up Hotel Rooms

Sean Fallon — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 19:40:00 EDT

A French company called Abilmo has developed collapsible hotel-style dwellings that users can quickly construct in just about any location. The concept is similar to the Myhab cardboard units we have discussed in the past, except Abilmo packs numerous modern conveniences like electricity, a bathroom with shower, climate control and even hardwood floors into its 130 square foot space.

Currently, the Albilmo temporary housing units are being rented out to customers in European countries only—but the idea seems to be catching on, so I wouldn't be surprised if some enterprising individual tried their hand at setting something similar up in the States. [Abilmo via Cool Hunting via io9]

Myhab Recyclable Concert Dwellings Now Available For You to Do Horrible, Horrible Things In

Sean Fallon — Fri, 09 May 2008 19:00:00 EDT

We first came across the Myhab festival dwelling last year when designer James Dunlop was in the process of developing the concept. Now it appears that the Myhab is open for business in the UK. The customizable units are made from recycled plastic and waterproof cardboard and include foam mattresses, temperature insulation and a lockbox to store your valuable ~~herbs~~ possessions.

They are also pretty pricey to rent at a whopping £120 or $240 per person. That's right, I said "rent." Once the concert is through, the Myhab is dismantled and set up for the next customer. Man, we have come a long way from Woodstock where you had sex in the mud, did your drugs out in the open and loved every minute of it. No word on whether Myhab plans on expanding outside of the UK anytime soon. [Myhab via Hippyshopper via Core77]