Why would there be a laser beam projecting over a concert audience?
Asked by
lefteh (
9434
)
June 23rd, 2008
I just got back from a Tom Petty concert in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. Throughout the entire concert, there was a fine, red laser beam projecting from the top of the stage over the crowd. It did not project onto anything, but instead the beam disappeared into the darkness (it was an outdoor event). It was obviously not part of the light show. What could the purpose of this have been?
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29 Answers
Someone had a laser pointer?
No, we could clearly see the source. It was being projected from above the stage, and was stationary.
dude its like so trippy of a trip wire
Simple then. It had to be E.T.
I happen to know for a fact that he loves Tom Petty.
it kept the aliens from landing there and crushing you. You should thank tom petty for his forsight.
Why not throw in some lasers here n’ there. Spice things up a bit.
I’m guessing it is part of the show but was not functioning.
I think iJimmy might ne on to something. But, is it possible that is was a control for something? Pretty much talking out my ass on this one.
It was a beacon for a ship full of beaked aliens. Luckily, they did not arrive. If they were in a bad mood we’d all be in trouble.
@iJimmy: I suppose it could have been part of the show. It seemed oddly placed though — to the right of center stage, without a mate on the other side.
But perhaps the one on the other side was turned off, and this one was not functioning as you said?
Regardless, it did look very…UFO-esque.
Could it have been some kind of wireless control beam for P.A or lighting equipment? Like Infra-red but visible? I would imagine the P.A desk / Lighting rig was situated at the back of the crowd, right?
That’s what I thought at first, but no, there was no booth there or anything. It was an outdoor amphitheater, and the beam just sort of dissipated into the sky.
Did you happen to see if there was a “Freakin’ Shark” attached to that “laser”?
More importantly, did he perform Handle With Care or any other Traveling Wilburys songs?
He played End of the Line.
Full set list:
You Wreck Me
You Don’t Know How it Feels
I Wont Back Down
Even the Losers
Free Fallin’
Saving Grace
Mary Jane’s Last Dance
Sweet William
End of the Line
The Waiting
Straight into Darkness
Spike
Face in the Crowd
Learning to Fly
Don’t Come Round Here No More
Refugee
Encore:
Running Down a Dream
Gloria
American Girl
were you taking notes or something?
Hah, no, the Cleveland Plain Dealer included the set list with their review.
i’m a rave dj, we use lasers commonly for people on hallucinogenics to highten their visual experience.
i could see tom petty doin’ that
I thought about that, but wouldn’t it be moving?
lol, no… to be honest, during a good trip, it’s the things that you’re not sure are moving or not that are the trippy-est.
Interesting. I’m thinking that this was not the case here, as Blossom is a family venue, but it’s certainly a possibility.
blossom may be a family venue but I have seen the first through third lollapaloozas there and there was enough drugs at those shows to make Columbia look like a family venue.
Oh there were drugs left and right, but my point is I doubt Blossom would allow anything to cater specifically to drug use.
lasers aren’t “specifically” used for it, or no, they probably wouldn’t have been allowed
It was broadcasted for the extraterrestrials’ enjoyment
I no nothing of lasers so I’m not even going to pretend to answer this question but I LOATHE YOU! I have been wanting to see Tom Petty since I was 11!
Maybe the laser was used as a carrier wave for backstage communications with the sound engineers.
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