Lighting designer Nick Sholem has, for the past 20 years, been the man who comes up with the plan to illuminate the new tunes and old favorites for Sting on his worldwide concert tours. Lighting contractor is Upstaging, with European support from Neg Earth Lighting. One wonders how difficult is it to redesign a hit song, an old favorite, when one has done it so many years. Sholem, speaking to us from the road, says it wasn't difficult at all. Some lighting designers work closely with the artist while others are given carte blanche to give the show the lighting treatment it needs.
Sting is one such artist who has no involvement at all.
He has learned to trust my design judgment. He can feel if it is right for him and also his friends will tell him anyway. I greatly appreciate his trust. Plus I run through the design with Tam Fairgreive, Sting's long-time production manager. I guess I gel with the clients to a certain degree.