Frank Ocean’s “2017 Blonded World Tour” was billed to be one of the biggest shows of the year. With massive screens, a customized catwalk and Academy Award-winning director Spike Jonze shadowing his every step, the 8 stop tour was nothing short of spectacular.
However, prior to Blonded, Frank opted for an austere look when it came to his performances, here’s how he returned with a blueprint to change that once and for all.
Frank’s year finished off at the “Odd Future Carnival” where he headlined and performed classics tracks like “Pyramids” and “She” with Tyler, The Creator. Draped in a ocean blue scarf, Frank had his band tucked behind a large LED screen which displayed simple visuals such as palm trees and coloured backgrounds.
Frank played some deep cuts such as “Whip Appeal” and “Acura Integurl”.
In 2014, Frank performed at the Met Gala with a live band.
He sang “Thinkin Bout You” and “Super Rich Kids”.
Frank’s interview on the red carpet would mark his last official on video interview until a leaked interview about the making of Blonde was accidentally left public by the editor on Vimeo.
Frank went with a very simple stage set-up channelling classic 80′s vibes.
A month later near the chilly mountains of Pemberton village. Frank performed at the Pemberton festival in British Columbia, Canada.
Outkast was originally intended to close the festival but due to a scheduling mix up, it was up to the 26 year old to follow a legendary performance with one of his own. Pemberton would mark the last time Frank Ocean took the stage until his return in June of 2017.
Up until that point in his career, Pemberton was the most monumental performance in Frank’s career regarding visuals. The massive screens of the festival allowed Francisco Soriano’s visuals to soar in full effect. Each track had it’s own feel, during certain tracks, a psyhedelic filter was applied to Frank’s gold wrapped E30 which resulted in a gorgeous output.
Frank ordered 6 BMW’s to be customized before the start of the 2013 shows. Above is one of the gold wrapped E30′s used to film the tour visuals.
Jenny Holzer’s work would make a return in the ‘Nikes’ video in 2016.
The visuals for Frank’s 2013-2014 performances can be watched here:
Frank at the premiere of the “Skepta: Top Boy” documentary in London, 2015.
As both of the albums and magazine were now completed, Frank’s team turned their attention to the artistic side, taking in how the projects were to be presented and creating early drafts of the stage setup and performance lighting.
The blueprint for Frank’s return was slowly being crafted and well underway. Swiss graphic designer Michel Egger was hired to create the artwork for ‘Endless’
This concept art was used as the foundation for the project’s marketing.
Image used by Apple Music on iTunes the day of release.
2017 BLONDED WORLD TOUR
THE STAGE
Early sketches by Willo Peron & Assosiates.
The towering pole served as a source of light and also projected LED lazers, smoke and atmospheric projections as the set went on.
CAMERA EQUIPMENT
For the stunning movie tier quality visuals displayed onto the screens, Spike Jonze pulled out an array of cameras, from vintage camcorder-style visuals to professional movie looks. Spike wanted to create an evolution of picture, 4 cameras with 4 different looks.
They ranged from a black and white security camera with infrared illumination, a Sony VX-1000, popular for skate videos in the 90’s – and an Ikonoskop, a digital video camera which produces a specific, thick colour picture. The last camera was an “Alexa Mini” with an anamorphic lens, which provided large depth and the cinematic look.
Spike Jonze filming Frank with a Sony VX-1000 at Panorama.
Frank is playing the Wurlitzer as Spike films with the black and white security camera.
THE FURNITURE
While visiting Tom Sachs studio in New York City, Frank liked the chairs Tom was building at the time and had him make some for the upcoming tour.
With a plywood base and clear polycarbonate back, Tom made this all band members. Tom also remade the "Endless boombox into a smaller size to fit the stage.
The boombox featured an axe and Koss 4aa headphones.
THE CATWALK
The last element of the stage was a customized runway made just for Frank’s performances. The stage would be constructed as the regular scheduled festivals carried on and would be completed an hour before Frank’s slotted time. It featured graphics designs, doodles and drawings from Frank’s friends, collaborators and tour staff. The designs provided a glimpse at Frank’s subconcious with nods at fashion, brands, manufactures and personal quotes.
Frank Ocean for i-D Magazine.
Ben Reed, Ed Hayes, Vegyn, Alex G and Buddy Ross sit on the Blonded platform.
Frank Ocean redrew the entire blueprint for the next chapter of his career once he left the stage of Pemberton. He constructed a team of select individuals to ensure his creative vision was to be executed meticulously upon his return. Frank channelled inspiration from various forms of art and returned with an experience that’s as personal and raw as one could get standing beside thousands of fans. The Blonded shows were performed the only way Blonde could’ve been showcased, with a unique warmth of freshness.
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