Culture Club embarked on a UK arena tour in December 2024, with special guests Tony Hadley and Heaven 17. The tour took place in venues such as the O2 in London and Manchester’s new Co-op Live. Axiom Events, the production management and equipment provider for the tour, were responsible for delivering robust touring LED panels that could also push the creative boundaries of the show. The tour marked the first large scale deployment of Axiom’s new stock of AbsenLive LED screens which includes over 140 sqm of XL, Standard and Cube corner panels. When making the investment it was key that the product was of exceptional build quality and suitable for indoor and outdoor use. Therefore, the LED technology would need to be versatile and capable of successfully meeting the specifications of high-profile artists and clients.
“For the tour, we required a versatile, high-resolution LED solution that met our creative requirements, whilst still being designed for quick deployment in a touring scenario” says Peter Shorten, Director of Axiom Events. “We were fortunate that our long-term trusted partners, Absen & PSCO, delivered precisely that, providing high-spec, bright Absen LED displays that exceeded our expectations.” AbsenLive’s Polaris (PL) V2 Series, featuring a 3.9mm pixel pitch, was chosen for its optimal blend of build quality, cost-effectiveness, and dual-environment capability. The PL V2’s lightweight, wind-resistant design, coupled with its flexible curve connection (-7.5° convex to +10° concave), allows for complex and creative configurations. The UltraBlack Technology delivered superior in-camera visuals through reduced light reflection and improved contrast. The system’s rapid assembly and disassembly, facilitated by magnet-assisted side locks and an auto-eject mechanism, streamlined touring logistics and minimised labour time and cost.
“We are pleased that the PL V2 panels were a valuable asset for the Culture Club tour. The state-of-the-art technology delivered stunning visuals, captivating the audiences and performers, making it an unforgettable live experience”, said Darren Jackson, Business Development Manager UK & IRL at AbsenLive. Deployed as a unified, expansive screen, the AbsenLive panels delivered stunning visual quality, elevating the entire concert experience. The LED displays illuminated venues with a dynamic blend of archival, live, and custom-designed visuals, seamlessly synchronised with the lighting to captivate audiences and create a truly immersive experience.
The tour’s visual presentation, driven by the AbsenLive LED screens, was a major success. Brought to life by Creative Director William Baker, Lighting Director Nick Whitehouse of Live Re:Designed and Set Designer Josh Zanghen, the LED panels met the needs of both the technical and creative teams, providing an engaging visual experience and true canvas for Dean Stockings and Lee Gregory’s content.“We are delighted with the success of our LED on this tour as it demonstrated AbsenLive’s impressive staging capabilities”, comments Debbie Zheng, Managing Director of AbsenLive. “We are excited to get involved with future projects as the live events industry continues to evolve.” Axiom Events, impressed with the panels’ high-quality visuals and reliable performance, plans to expand its PL V2 inventory for future projects. This success highlights the panels’ suitability for large-scale, visually dynamic events.
