LDI 2017

Legendary designer Jonathan Smeeton started working on light shows in the 1960s in a world of Aldis projectors, five cell animation loops, keyboards that controlled flashing and flickering, but didn’t dim and the new fangled strobes. He cut his teeth with groups like Traffic and Frank Zappa, and a few years later as “Liquid Len” did seminal work for the band Hawkwind. There probably isn’t a touring LD today that hasn’t been influenced in one way or another by Smeeton's groundbreaking work. Unlike a lot of pioneers, Smeeton didn’t retire to the ranch once his initial glory days were over. He’s continued to push the envelope, loading up his resume with a galaxy of star projects for the likes of The Rolling Stones, George Michael, Journey, 3 Doors Down, The Electric Light Orchestra, and more. He was also the production designer for young country star Taylor Swift’s 2009-10 Fearless Tour.