Mexico. Zoé won a Grammy Award for "Best Urban Alternative Latin Rock Album" in 2019. Although the honor was well deserved, it only told a part of the story of this dynamic quintet. In keeping with the universal spirit that runs through all great music, the Cuernavaca band defies easy classification as they weave a variety of global influences into their distinctive sound.
Drawing inspiration from Brit Pop and Seattle grunge, Zoé has continuously refined her music since the group formed in the mid-90s, incorporating elements of synth pop and psychedelics to create a rich mix of songs, reminiscent of bands like The Cure, which one listens to with one's heart as ears.
This free-flowing spirit is on full display on the band's current Unplugged tour, which will include a stop at Dodger Stadium in December. Reflecting the mood of the music, there is a beautifully balanced and intricately layered Tony Perez lighting design that features 42 Chauvet Professional accessories supplied by the meridian pro audio company.
Playing his design against a large video wall, Perez floods the stage with Maverick light and bathroom lamps that change color and angles to reflect the tinkling flow of his client's music. Crossing washing patterns and stains on top of each other, it gives the stage a pleasant texture quality that attracts the audience. Further reinforcing the connection between the band and their fans, he lights up the crowd with 18 STRIKE4 luminaires.
"The lighting design came from a set of ideas and general needs that had to be met, through my conversations with Gabriel Cruz and Rodrigo Guardiola," said Pérez, who has been designing shows for three decades and has been a designer at Zoé since 2016. "In general, video and lighting help generate different sensations at different times in the show."
For this tour, Perez specified 20 Maverick MK2 Spot, 16 Maverick MK3 Wash and 16 Strike 4, as well as units of three and Net-X. Place 12 of the points on the front structure, use them for specials of each musician, as well as for general washing. The other eight spotlights are placed on the ground just below the screen and behind all the musicians to provide backlighting and gobo effects.
"For me it is very important to recognize and thank the great work and support of the entire Zoé Crew, the Meridian Pro Audio Staff and especially the help of two great friends, German Sevillano Production Manager de Zoé and Ismael Zavaleta," said Pérez, noting that being involved with this band is an uplifting experience.
