Flying Lotus
Year:
2012 - Present
Location:
Worldwide
3D Modeling
Content Creation
Live Visual Design (VJ)
Production Design
Scope:
Since 2010, Timeboy has been a key visual architect behind the engaging stage designs and visuals for Flying Lotus' performances. Their decade-long partnership has included visual design for four tours, with shows at major venues like the Sydney Opera House and Carnegie Hall. In his role as Production Director and VJ, Timeboy managed the development of complex 3D stage plots and coordinated the construction of these setups, effectively merging innovative technology with artistic vision.
2022
Carnegie Hall
In 2022, Timeboy envisioned a landmark performance for Flying Lotus at the iconic Carnegie Hall, marking a high point in their long-standing collaboration. This event was a showcase of maturity, combining Flying Lotus's evolved musical prowess with Timeboy's visionary stagecraft. The Carnegie Hall performance was not only a concert but an immersive, multimedia experience that enhanced the hall’s majestic architecture with advanced projection mapping techniques.
Leveraging the intrinsic beauty of the venue, Timeboy intricately mapped visuals across the stage—highlighting architectural elements like columns and integrating live video feeds to create a dynamic backdrop. The meticulous preparation involved creating multiple layers in Photoshop to isolate sections of the stage, allowing precise and impactful visual storytelling from Timeboy's home studio before even setting foot in New York.
On stage, Flying Lotus was flanked by a violin prodigy, Miguel Atwood-Ferguson, and a harpist, enhancing the performance with melodic and soulful jazz intertwined with hypnotic electronic soundscapes. The setup included a bespoke DJ booth adorned with flowers, where Flying Lotus used an array of instruments, including a keyboard and live looping equipment, to weave his musical narratives in real-time.
The event transcended traditional performance, offering the audience a deeply immersive visual and auditory journey. Timeboy's expertise in blending cutting-edge technology with the unique sonic identity of Flying Lotus transformed the night into a groundbreaking celebration of music, technology, and artistry.
2017, 2019
Flying Lotus 3D
In 2017, Timeboy embarked on an ambitious project with Flying Lotus to harness groundbreaking 3D LED technology that brought visuals to life like never before. Audiences, equipped with polarizing glasses, were immersed in a dimensional spectacle that made energy, light, and objects appear to extend beyond the stage and into the crowd. The initial tour showcased a bespoke DJ booth resembling a biomechanical squid, inspired by the grotesque aesthetics of Cronenberg’s creatures, which set a vivid backdrop for the innovative 3D visuals.
The concept evolved significantly by the 2019 tour, where the design shifted to a cyberpunk and interstellar sci-fi theme. The new custom DJ booth, intricate and futuristic, served as the nucleus of a more complex array of 3D visuals and effects. This tour not only refined the visual experience but also enhanced it with strategic lighting and fog machines, intensifying the show’s atmospheric depth during key musical moments.
Throughout both tours, Timeboy served as a creative force and performed the visuals live, effectively blurring the lines between DJ’ing and visual artistry. The 2019 iteration, in particular, pushed the boundaries further, creating a visceral experience where the audience felt enveloped by the performance, making it a pioneering example of how technology can transform live music presentations.
2015, 2016
Hypercube
In 2015, Timeboy designed the "Hypercube," an advanced evolution of the original Layer3 show, for Flying Lotus. This innovative stage design was inspired by the geometric complexities of a hypercube, or tesseract, featuring two interconnected cubes—one inside the other—creating a multidimensional space that transcended traditional stage setups.
Unlike the parallel screens of the Layer3 show, which limited viewing angles, the Hypercube utilized a 3D structure with each plane made from transparent materials similar to the original scrim used in Layer3. This design significantly improved visibility and maintained the illusion from multiple audience perspectives, enhancing the immersive experience.
Timeboy helped developed a new suite of visual content specifically for the Hypercube, maximizing the potential of projection mapping to morph and manipulate the structure in dynamic ways during the performance. The visuals, paired with strategically placed lighting—including additional strobes and hidden stage washes—created a cockpit-like environment where Flying Lotus could command the space, surrounded by visuals that perfectly complemented each track.
The Hypercube accompanied Flying Lotus on his "You're Dead" album tour, showcasing this groundbreaking design across North America, Japan, and Europe. The synergy between the visuals and music during this tour marked it as one of the most sophisticated performances to date.
2012 - Present
Layer3
In the summer of 2012, Timeboy, in collaboration with Flying Lotus and visual partner Strangeloop, conceived the Layer3 show, a pioneering stage design that placed Flying Lotus at the center of a visual vortex created by two strategically placed screens. This innovative setup debuted at the Hollywood Bowl amphitheater, where it received overwhelmingly positive feedback, prompting Flying Lotus to adopt it for his first bus tour.
The success of the Layer3 show saw it quickly become a staple for international tours, with performances across North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. What set the Layer3 show apart was its remarkable flexibility and modularity, which allowed it to adapt seamlessly to a variety of venues, from large amphitheaters to intimate nightclubs. This adaptability was enhanced by the ability to continually refresh the show with new visual content packages, making each tour feel entirely unique and keeping the show current through the years.
The Layer3 show not only marked a significant milestone in Timeboy's career but also catalyzed a new era of visual artistry for him. It established a template for innovation in live performance that Timeboy has continued to evolve, impacting his professional trajectory profoundly and cementing his reputation as a leading visual artist in the music industry.
Next Project:
Hiatus Kaiyote
