Stadium rock artists are known for putting on a show, and lavish concert stages are a big part of that. From U2 to Pink Floyd, most legendary bands used one.
Concert stages truly caught on in the early 70s, when rock bands started selling out huge venues. With so many people attending, these shows needed a form of visual excitement that you could reliably see from a distance.
As the decade went on, the stages saw plenty of innovations, like portable lighting consoles. The big question is: which band used these tools most effectively?
What Are the Basic Parts of a Concert Stage?
First things first: what does staging include? In general, this refers to the full design of the stage, tailored to the artist's requirements. This can include:
- Stage platforms and risers
- Scenic elements and set pieces
- Rigging for audio, video, and lights
- Projection surfaces or LED screens
When it's constructed effectively, a concert stage will turn the show into a visual spectacle. This often requires assembling the stage as quickly as possible. Tools such as a hydraulic drop deck trailer can make this task much easier.
What Is the Best Concert Stage in Rock History?
Over the years, we've seen many impressive concert stages all around the world. That said, there are three particular tours that remain unbeatable:
1. The 360° Tour (U2)
From 2009 to 2011, U2 embarked on one of the most ambitious worldwide tours of all time. The tour got its name for its astounding 360° stage design, featuring a circular setup that the audience was able to surround on all sides.
The setup was best known for "The Claw," a huge four-legged structure above the stage. Each leg had an expanding video screen on top. Moving the sets involved 120 trucks (source: Hayes Hall Gazette), doing most of the heavy hauling.
2. The Wall Live (Roger Waters)
This 2010-2013 tour was the first time The Wall was performed since 1990. Roger Waters aimed to deliver a theatrical performance with an anti-war message. Just the staging preparations for each location cost millions of dollars.
The rock concert stage featured a huge video screen and hundreds of special effects. However, it was the eye-catching props that stole the show, including:
- A massive wall built brick-by-brick during the first half of the show
- A 50-foot schoolmaster puppet used during "Another Brick in the Wall"
- An inflatable pig ("Algie") flown during "In the Flesh"
- A stuffed Pink doll used during "Stop"
3. Steel Wheels (The Rolling Stones)
The Rolling Stones were among the first bands to experiment with staging. Their 1989/1990 Steel Wheels tour was a key example of their creativity. Mick Jagger and Charlie Watts helped design the stage to better suit their needs.
The Steel Wheels tour also had the largest outdoor concert stage at the time. It took hundreds of workers to assemble it and get the props ready. Once the tour moved to Europe, it changed its name to "Urban Jungle."
Concert Stages Explained
The above list is only a small taste of the concert stages we've seen throughout rock history. Even with pop artists like Taylor Swift coming up with their own elaborate live event setups, nothing quite says "iconic" like a rock concert stage.
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