Data Visualization of Taylor Swift Eras Tour
This project brief is titled, “Remix”, and our Professor Nick Rock had assigned us two things we were interested in during the summer. In this project, I am exploring the remix of data visualization and performance lighting.
Since exploring projection mapping in my project “Azure Mind”, I have been more drawn to the idea of how light can transform an experience. Over the summer, I attended many different live performances, where I couldn’t help but wonder how something was done. I wondered how certain lights were chosen, how the lights were planned, and what types of lighting or projection was being used.
At first, I struggled with filtering what I was researching. I started looking up what set lighting was and found many articles and videos breaking down how lighting was planned. However, it was difficult to find proper data sets on set lighting without having a more specific filter. I, then, reflected on set designs that I have seen and thought of Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour performance.
I had the amazing opportunity to attend her concert thanks to my cousin graciously finding us tickets for her Boston show. I remember being in awe of the show and how every aspect felt planned out.
Part 1: Poster
To collect my data, I watched and read about the behind the scenes of the Eras tour to find information on:
- How is the Eras Tour set built?
- How many and what kind of lighting is used?
- What type of technology is used for the crowd bracelets?
After learning about the main types of lighting, I started a spreadsheet and rewatched Swift’s performances and rated how often a type of light seemed to be used during each Era she was performing. Although this data is observational and subjective it offers the perspective of a fan attending the concert, giving an idea of what stands out while a singer is performing.
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I initially struggled with the idea of visualizing many different types of lighting (spotlight, beam lighting, bar wash lighting, and digital screens) in one type of chart.
However, I found a way to merge them while also giving an idea of what the type of lighting is like. Overall, I am happy with the effect and illusion of lighting the graphic gives.
Part 2: Animation + Projection Mapping
Another aspect of Swift’s performance lighting that I wanted to visualize was the crowd’s light bracelets that were created from PIXMOB. While attending the concert, this bracelet was so impactful in the experience where everyone was so excited about the changes in colors of the bracelets and how it affected the display in the crowds. To visualize this, I took note of what bracelet colors were common in the crowd during each era. I also noted what type of effect it had: shimmery, flashing, quick bursts, slow bursts, etc. I, then, made rounded pixel grids and filled them in with colors, then edited them, and strung them together in After Effects. I wanted the feeling of motion and added a bit of blurriness in order to merge the lights together.
To display them, I tested different ways to display them, my original idea having each animation gridded in a row and projected onto a corner. However, this was challenging because it meant that the size of each would be shrunk, giving less detail of each animation. When I first plugged in my projector, I loved the effect of having each display in a large scale. Comparing the two, I had to pivot from my original idea.
I used projection mapping to map them onto the windows in one of the classrooms in my school building. The windows allow for a large scale to give room for the animations to play and feel more immersive. To recreate the nature of being in the crowd, I edited sound clips from the beginning of her concert and overlaid sounds from when people were cheering in the stadiums during her concert.
