Glass Animals - Tour of the Earth 2024
A Retro-Futuristic Video-Driven Space Trip That Left Fans Talking for Months
How 80six Helped Bring Glass Animals’ Bold Vision to Life
Glass Animals’ “Tour of the Earth” was an immersive visual experience, merging retro-futuristic aesthetics with advanced video techniques.
From real-time content synchronization to Pepper’s Ghost holograms to live-camera feeds and a touch of musical improv, it took fans on a surreal journey through space.
Inspired by 1970s and 1980s sci-fi, this ambitious production—brought to life by Cassius Creative and Fray Studios—marked 80six’s debut collaboration with the BRIT-nominated band.
THE BRIEF
The "Tour of the Earth" required a seamless integration of creative and technical elements, where video, set and lighting teams worked as one.
The tour featured a 23-screen LED setup, with a large upstage LED wall (18m x 9.6m) and smaller screens embedded within the set, including 16 mini-CRT-style monitors.
The Pepper’s Ghost holograms in a dome brought an extra dimension to the set and enhanced the galactic feel. These complex visual demands required a highly adaptable video solution that could scale across various venues, from arenas to smaller spaces, without compromising visual quality.
THE SOLUTION
We collaborated with Cassius Creative to test and refine the Pepper’s Ghost hologram effect at 80six studios. We then joined the team for a 5-day technical rehearsal at LH2 before the global tour launch.
The Pepper’s Ghost effect was realized with two LED panels on a polycarbonate-formed dome, projecting animated holograms of dolphins and pineapples—tying into the "Pork Soda" track’s tropical vibe. The show’s climax featured Denzel Curry as a hologram inside the dome, allowing for a live collaboration despite his physical absence.
For the LED setup, we supplied premium LED technology, including ROE Visual MC7 and CB5 screens, paired with Brompton Technology LED processing.
Real-time synchronization across 23 video surfaces—including the upstage LED wall, hologram, mini screens, 360° ticker-tape, computer monitors, and ceiling—required precise coordination. For content playback, 80six supplied Disguise GX3 media servers to seamlessly manage this complex workflow and integrate the dynamic elements.
Each song featured a unique camera treatment, supported by 80six’s camera package, which included Blackmagic URSA Broadcast G2s, Panasonic AW-UE70 4Ks and Blackmagic Micro Studios.
