Fog/Moisture at Big Shows

[WG Plum]

So fog machines have been a thing at bigger shows (and some club bands) for ages, but I'm curious about what seems like a new trend - moisture being blown onto stage. It's definitely not fog machines, or looks very different, at least. Can any sound guys/gals or stage managers talk about what it actually is and what its purpose is? I always thought moisture was the enemy of electronic equipment and musical instruments. Is it just a different kind of visual effect or does it serve an additional purpose?

Thanks!

 

[Jason Stock]

Haze. Not as thick as fog, still allows light beams to be visible. Improves the visual effect of lighting. It can be water or oil based. It has less smell also.
It is a different machine. In almost every club or venue we play now, fog is not allowed (smoke detectors get set off by it, yes, I know and the fire department was not happy....) We got rid of our fog machine many years ago.
I actually find it to be less offensive to the gear than the old fog machines we used but we are not playing every weekend so those that use it all the time may have different experiences.

 

[WG Plum]

Haze. Not as thick as fog, still allows light beams to be visible. Improves the visual effect of lighting. It can be water or oil based. It has less smell also.
It is a different machine. In almost every club or venue we play now, fog is not allowed (smoke detectors get set off by it, yes, I know and the fire department was not happy....) We got rid of our fog machine many years ago.
I actually find it to be less offensive to the gear than the old fog machines we used but we are not playing every weekend so those that use it all the time may have different experiences.

Awesome, thank you!

 

[Windreaper]

Yup, these are broad categories, but water/sugar* based haze generally causes less irritation and is less likely to leave a sticky film/residue than oil-based products. IMO water-based haze is the way to go for live performance (unless dramatic, low-flying fog is required) - safer for the performers and audience.

* "Sugar" sounds innocuous, but these are typically glycol or glycerol family substances. Glycerol is essentially non-hazardous at the concentrations used in haze fluids. (Propylene) Glycol is also considered safe for occupational exposure, but has a higher chance of causing irritation.