Strictly FX started touring with Coldplay in April of 2008. It started in Europe, traveled over to the U.S. for a little bit and then went back to Europe.
The 2009 tour made its way back across the U.S. with 4 10-watt full-color air-cooled laser systems, TONS of butterfly UV confetti, and some flare / sparkler effects.
The show started out with a small confetti effect. As the tour went on, that effect got larger and larger until it has grown into what is possibly the largest confetti effect ever seen in a concert tour. There are 30 confetti machines used in each show pumping out pounds and pounds of butterfly confetti each second. There is also a "have to see it to believe it" confetti drop featuring UV confetti that glows in the dark.
For the last leg in Europe, the tour added TONS of pyrotechnics to the last song of the show. During "Life in Technicolor" the show concluded with 30 seconds of 150' to 300' product in an array of beautiful, rainbow colors.
Summer of 2011, Coldplay has brought Strictly FX back out for a string of festival dates leading up to the Fall release of their latest album Mylo Xyloto. Effects featured through their festival run still include the signature confetti drop, multiple high powered lasers, and a huge pyro finale. In addition, a new laser effect has been added! A fabric cone and high powered laser are paired up to project laser graphics that dance along onstage. Thus creating a huge visual backdrop of lasers onstage as well as reaching out into the massive crowds festivals generally host.
LD: Paul Normandale
Laser Operator: Mike Hartle
Laser Programmer: David Kennedy
Pyro Operator: Wes Fiske
Confetti Wrangler: Brook Blomquist
Confetti Wrangler #2: Eric Gorleski
