Strobe lights

[Stilettoprefer]

How do you deal with strobes when they end up being used during a show? I get really tripped out by them.... When I see the guitarists moving in stop motion it just throws my head through a loop and I end up having to stand still and focus on the ground until the strobe stops hoping that I don't fall over with my bass attached to me...

Btw, I wasn't sure where to post this. So mods, please feel free to move

 

[FrenchAK]

I hear that. Once, I played a gig that had strobes and extremely bright stage lights that would stay off for about ten seconds, then blast for two or three seconds. The combination of strobe and extreme light/dark changes actually made me sick, and I had to get out of there ASAP after the set.

Some people are more effected by strobes than others, personally, I've never had an issue with them until that one show.

 

[Stilettoprefer]

Good to know I'm not the only one may have to ask the lights guy at the place we play at to stop using the strobe...:/

 

[PerlNinja]

I'm not playing gigs yet, but when attending some, if there's strobes around it's a no-go. I get some serious vertigo when they're going off, and on more than one occasion I've had to hold on to some{thing|one} to not keel over. Can't imagine playing like that either :/

 

[mpdd]

don't go to indian jewelry shows, their strobes are freaking insane

 

[Dekker]

Strobes don't seem to bother me, but I can see how that'd be disorienting. I doubt even playing with your eyes closed (during those segments) would help if the strobes are bright enough!

 

[mpdd]

just sharing a pic

 

[bound'n'blocked]

I do concert lighting, and the boss will not let me use the strobe for extended periods of time. Only for just a few seconds at at time. I think I've heard somewhere that people with epilepsy have issues with flashing lights, but could way off there. Anyway, I never turn them on for more thant 5-6 seconds at a time.

BnB

 

[Phalex]

Strobes can be annoying, but I have real issues with the old fashioned disco balls myself. Given enough time under low stage lighting conditions, the ten thousand points of light all moving at the same speed in the same direction makes me nauseous. I don't even have to look at them, if I catch it out of the corner of my eye, I feel like I'm moving. Then when I realize I'm not really moving...... Blech!

 

[Stilettoprefer]

5 seconds of strobe wouldn't bug me, but during one particular cover (killing in the name of) the lights guy knew the song and put the strobe on for a bridge(20 seconds? Maybe it just felt that long....) and I totally lost track of the song and ended up staring at the floor to keep from falling over with my instrument.

EDIT: luckily I have yet to play while a disco ball is going. I don't know how well I could handle that situation

 

[southgabass]

What I've run into are the clubs using strobes/lazers/ and SMOG machines (more than just smoke, its like Jeff Spicoli lives there) with the lazers and lights positioned perfectly to hit me in the eyes... it really bothers my soul... then at one they even add the disco ball into the mix (which we'll be playing there this saturday).... my method is to just focus on the crowd and drink enough to prevent a headache

 

[Aged_Clayman]

I`m ok with strobe lights, but my drummer always says he can`t stand first hearing the drum and only then seeing, that it`s been hit