Live performances are a realm where music transcends its auditory origins, intertwining with architecture, visuals, and innovation. WhoMadeWho, the Denmark-based electronic band, has embarked on an extraordinary world tour, pushing the boundaries of conventional concerts. What sets this tour apart? What sonic wonders await audiences as the band takes the stage in cities around the globe? In the ever-evolving landscape of live performances, a question arises, can a concert be more than a musical experience? The answer unfolds in real-time, with the band leading the way into unchartered territories of creativity and immersive experiences.

In an era where live performances are evolving into multisensory experiences, stage design has become a focal point of innovation. Artists, inspired by the desire to create immersive worlds for their audiences, are collaborating with architects and designers to push the boundaries of what’s possible. The stage is no longer confined to being a space for artists to perform; it’s a visual extension of the music, reflecting a synthesis of artistic expression and technological innovation. This trend, evident in the collaborative efforts of WhoMadeWho and Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) marks a shift in how we perceive and engage with live music, transforming concerts into multisensory journeys.

The world tour, which kicked off in November 2023, is more than a series of performances, it is a sonic voyage that spans across cities like Paris, Berlin, Istanbul, New York City, Los Angeles, Santiago de Chile, London and the band’s hometown, Copenhagen. The anticipation expressed by Tomas Hoffding, Tomas Barfod, and Jeppe Kjellberg is palpable as they share, "We cannot wait to present this new project which is by far the most ambitious and elaborate we have ever worked on. With the help of several astonishing artists of different fields, this year, we hope to connect with our fans in a new progressive and immersive way." For this tour, the trio aimed to merge forward-thinking sounds and visuals with an enthralling new stage setup. Their collaboration with BIG ensures that the concert experience goes beyond the conventional.

At the heart of the Danish band’s stage design is the inflatable sphere; a striking embodiment of architectural ingenuity and inventive craftsmanship. This colossal structure stands as a testament to the transformative power of design. The sphere is not a static prop, it is a living, breathing entity that pulsates with life, responding to the rhythmic cadence of the music. Drawing inspiration from BIG’s previous ventures into inflatable creations like SKUM and THE ORB, the sphere serves as a mesmerising canvas for three-dimensional video projections.

What distinguishes this inflatable sphere is its sheer magnitude and versatility. As Jakob Lange, Partner and Head of BIG Products, emphasises; it is designed for maximum impact. It is not just a backdrop but an active participant in the performance, capturing the essence of WhoMadeWho’s sonic universe. Inflating the sphere with life, it becomes a dynamic extension of the music, enveloping the audience in an immersive experience that blurs the lines between architecture and performance art.

BIG, under the visionary leadership of Bjarke Ingels, has consistently pushed the boundaries of architectural innovation. Their foray into the world of electronic music is not an isolated venture but a continuation of their audacious explorations. From the otherworldly “THE ORB” at Burning Man to their collaboration with WhoMadeWho, this Danish architectural firm’s creations are a testament to their commitment to redefining what is achievable in design. Their collaboration with the band transcends conventional expectations of a stage. It is not just a structure to support the performers; it is an immersive environment that amplifies the auditory and visual elements of the concert. The sphere in its grandeur, is not just design, it is an architectural statement that echoes the progressive ethos of both the band and the architects.

Flora&faunavisions, the team behind stage designs for music giants, adds another layer of complexity to the sensory experience. Their visionary designs, from rave parties to opera houses, reshape the boundaries of art, technology and human perception. Beyond the visual spectacle, their collaboration with the band delves into crafting visual systems that respond in real-time to the band’s tracks. This synchronicity between music and visual art takes the audience on a deeply emotional journey, creating an immersive narrative that transcends genres. This collaboration is not just about sight and sound. It is about creating a living, breathing environment where architecture plays an integral part of the performance.

As the sonic journey unfolds, EyeMix Studio takes the reins to head the visuals. Known for their work with notable producers, including Tale of Us’s MRAK, the LA-based agency combines the power of artificial intelligence with advanced visualisation tools introducing a cutting-edge dimension to the band’s live shows. Ariel Vromen, a renowned film director, and Solo Avital, digital artist known for their avant-garde works, bring over 20 years of expertise in film making, digital art and post-production. “To me, WhoMadeWho’s sound captures the electronic essence of Pink Floyd,” say the founders. “In today’s live performance landscape, audiences expect visuals as a fundamental part of the experience. We aim to harness this audio-visual synergy to strengthen the artist’s connection with their fans.” With AI-powered visuals, the concert experience becomes a symphony of art and technology, inviting the audience into a transformative visual journey that complements the band’s sonic exploration.

WhoMadeWho’s musical evolution is not confined to stages, it extends into the very fabric of their creations. From the unforgettable Cercle appearance at the Abu Simbel temple in Egypt to collaborations with electronic music elites, their journey has been marked by a fusion of Indie, Disco and Techno. The trio’s connection to the club world has been galvanised by collaborations with friends such as Rampa, Frank Wiedermann, or Artbat. Their ability to curate and mix a compilation for German Powerhouse, Watergate, showcases their intuitive understanding of groove and emotions.

The summer of 2020 saw them spearhead an array of collaborations, resulting in the album ‘Synchronicity’ and three EPs released with seminal techno label Kompakt. Part of the band’s charm lies in their divergent musical backgrounds, creating a fascinating group capable of producing varied musical styles with a refreshing combination of vulnerability and confidence. Their stage setups and sound art, including the daring ‘Hybrid DJ Set' and immersive ‘Live Set’, showcases a band willing to push themselves creatively and explore the full spectrum of their potential.

United as a group, the band thrives on the fusion of three distinct egos, serving as a catalyst for their boundless creative energy. The addition of diverse artists into their studio sessions adds an extra sparkle to their collaborative process. Adapting to their songwriting and production techniques for the dance floor has been an enlightening journey for the trio. This shift demands a hypnotic balance of rhythm, melody and vocals; a challenge embraced by the band. The essence lies in capturing the infectious feeling of a dance floor movement, where a simple yet irresistible hook infiltrates your senses and refuses to let go.

As WhoMadeWho’s world tour captivates audiences globally, the anticipation surrounding their innovative design for the stage curated by BIG Architects continues to grow. This immersive experience, a fusion of architectural marvels and avant-garde visuals, represents a glimpse into the future of live performances. The stage is no longer a static platform; it is a dynamic entity that evolves alongside the music, creating an ever-changing landscape for the audience.

In this current phase of their existence, WhoMadeWho’s focus on dance music, coupled with alternative stage setups, showcases a band unafraid to embrace change and explore new horizons. This evolution is not a departure from their roots but an expansion of their creative spectrum. The dance floor vibrations become a metaphor for the band’s ability to resonate with diverse musical styles, inviting fans to join them on a sonic journey that transcends the conventional.

With WhoMadeWho’s globe-trotting performances, the partnership with BIG Architects unveils a new era in live music. The colossal sphere, a living canvas, encapsulates a metamorphosis where architecture intertwines seamlessly with sound. As the band delves into dance music and alternative setups, their evolution is not just a departure but an expansion of creative boundaries. In this ongoing tour, each beat and visual phenomenon becomes a testament to a musical journey that transcends the ordinary.