Danish architecture studio BIG has created an experimental stage set for Danish pop trio WhoMadeWho’s world tour.

A suspended silver orb formed the centrepiece of the immersive audiovisual design, which was created for the tour that began in November. It is BIG‘s latest inflatable structure and was informed by the floating 26-metre-diameter, mirrored sphere it created for Burning Man in 2018.

“Our design for WhoMadeWho’s stage draws from our previous ventures into inflatable creations like SKUM and The Orb [at Burning Man],” BIG partner Jakob Lange explained.

“With maximum visual impact, the inflatable sphere serves as a canvas for captivating three-dimensional video projections, elevating the concert experience to a new level.”

The orb was integrated with controllable lights and visuals, but was also designed to reflect the surrounding scenography to give its presence a multimedia dimensionality.

Three futuristic silver pods were positioned below the sphere to be occupied by each band member and the stage was framed by an expansive LED screen background.

BIG’s stage was brought to life with immersive visuals from the creative teams of Flora&faunavisions, LA-based EyeMix Studio and animator Christopher Mulligan.

Using AI and other advanced visualisation tools, the artistic teams sought to combine BIG’s stage set with cutting-edge imagery that can respond in real-time to WhoMadeWho’s performances.

The stage system will reach audiences across cities such as Paris, Los Angeles, London and New York City as WhoMadeWho – comprising of Tomas Høffding, Tomas Barfod and Jeppe Kjellberg – continue their world tour in 2024.

Founded in 2005 by Bjarke Ingels, BIG is one of the world’s most influential architecture studios with headquarters in both Copenhagen and New York. The studio recently unveiled its masterplan for a 1,000-square-kilometre development in Bhutan and its design for a cascading, luxury residential building near Athens.

The photography is by Michael Poselski