LMG TOURING POWERS THE TWO FRIENDS “HEAT WAVE” TOUR

Follow us on Instagram

OVERVIEW

The Heat Wave Tour marked another milestone in the creative collaboration between the electronic duo Two Friends and their longtime design team. Lighting Designer and Programmer Mike Sheck, alongside Project Manager and Tour Designer Benjamin Schroeder, crafted a uniquely immersive experience that balanced viral spectacle with emotional subtlety. At the core of this tour’s technical execution was LMG Touring, whose technical support and equipment packaging enabled the production team to push creative boundaries without sacrificing logistical efficiency.

DESIGN GOALS

The design objective for Heat Wave was to evolve from the high-octane spectacle of the previous Two Friends shows into something more emotionally dynamic—incorporating powerful, picturesque moments alongside explosive visual impact. This required a modular rig that could flexibly adapt to mid-sized venues with varying specs and constraints.

The team tackled an especially ambitious production: circular LED trussing, pixel lines, blinder integration, and graded risers with underlighting—all working cohesively to build a highly visual, story-driven experience. Every detail was considered, from rig modularity to venue adaptability, making advance preproduction a critical component of success.
Lighting Designer Mike Sheck and Tour Manager/Designer Ben Schroeder set out to create a rig that delivered cinematic moments and energetic visuals in equal measure—without sacrificing adaptability.
{

MIKE SHECK, LIGHTING DESIGNER

“We wanted something modular that could scale up or down based on the room—and still feel like a full show. LMG helped us make that happen.”

The Vegas-based LMG Touring team—notably Kevin Maas and the shop staff—ensured the entire rig was prepped to get on the road with wheels and casters, maximizing mobility and reducing setup time. All the gear was housed in GT truss, enabling fast, rolling load-ins and load-outs. Power distribution was designed for efficiency, using a single true1 circuit per stick of truss, which minimized cabling and eliminated unnecessary socapex runs. The quality time spent prepping translated to near-zero delays or technical hiccups throughout the tour.

TECHNICAL INFRASTRUCTURE & CUSTOM RACKS

One major evolution from previous tours was LMG supplying a media server package, replacing the need for the team to carry their own, proving to be a game-changer:
  • Network setup support, including VLAN configuration and integration with TouchDesigner and MA3.
  • In-rehearsal tuning with a dedicated tech (shoutout, Gabby!) to ensure smooth operation.
  • Enhanced confidence in redundancy and reliability—giving video designer, Colin, peace of mind.
This rack setup not only met the performance needs but set a new standard for future tours.

“It was amazing. Our video guy was skeptical at first, but now he doesn’t want to go back to the old way.”
— Mike Sheck
 
 
 

CREATIVE EXECUTION

The rig’s circular theme evolved naturally from Two Friends’ previous UFO-themed designs. The modular layout allowed for:
  • Scalable floor vs. air packages based on venue needs.
  • High impact looks even in smaller configurations, thanks to elements like the Vanish V8T lightweight tiles and graded risers with underglow.
  • Integration with house rigs via MA3 show files and programming recipes.
From an artistic standpoint, the show featured both “in-your-face” spectacle and moments of stunning simplicity—using tools like Cloud 9 low foggers and under-riser lighting to create intimate, viral visuals.

ON-TOUR SUPPORT

While support needs were minimal, LMG Touring was still there when it mattered:
  • Rapid drop shipments (e.g. hazers) resolved minor issues with zero downtime.
  • Last-minute “snack packs” of ancillary gear filled unforeseen gaps.
  • An ethos of “show first, questions later” ensured every stop ran smoothly. 
{

AS MIKE DESCRIBED IT,

“The mindset is always: ‘Where does it need to go? What do we need to do?’ That kind of support is invaluable.”

 

TRUST BUILT ON RELIABILITY

{

FOR BEN, LMG'S INVOLVEMENT WAS A NO-BRAINER

“When I know LMG is our technical partner, it’s a huge amount of stress off my shoulders.”

With over a decade of experience with LMG, Ben cited this tour as one of the smoothest he’s ever run with little to no need to be involved in the day-to-day production workflow.

OUTCOME

With over 40 venues mapped in advance and the entire production previsualized and rehearsed, the Heat Wave Tour went off. The collaboration between the Two Friends team and LMG Touring set a new benchmark for what’s possible when creative ambition meets logistical planning.

{

AS BEN PUTS IT,

“There will never be a tour that I do with Two Friends where LMG Touring won’t be contacted about it.”

ACCREDITATIONS

LD/Programmer: Mike Sheck

PM/Designer: Ben Schroeder

Photos by Gregory Fry

AV Vendor: LMG Touring

GEAR

ROE Vanish V8T

ROE CB8 (8mm) and CB5 (5mm)

Brompton SX40 Processors & XD Units

Welcome Cory Froke | Technical Project Manager

Welcome Cory Froke | Technical Project Manager

LMG Touring is pleased to welcome Cory Froke as the newest Technical Project Manager on its expanding team. Based in Las Vegas, Froke brings an extensive background in touring, lighting, and operations along with a renewed enthusiasm for the touring world.

read more
How Full-Time Techs Power LMG Touring | Uven Lauzan

How Full-Time Techs Power LMG Touring | Uven Lauzan

Kesha’s “Tits Out” tour marks the biggest North American headline run of her career and her first album release as an independent artist. For LED Engineer Uven Lauzan, it’s also a milestone: helping bring the pop icon’s bold vision to life just one year after joining the LED show team.

read more
The Driver Era – Obsession Tour

The Driver Era – Obsession Tour

This spring, The Driver Era hit the road with a tour that pushed creative boundaries and set a new bar for seamless production. From theatrical storytelling and cinematic camera interactions to flexible rigging solutions, this tour was a showcase of artistry, adaptability, and planning.

read more
RECENT PROJECTS & POSTS

What’s New

Welcome Cory Froke | Technical Project Manager

Welcome Cory Froke | Technical Project Manager

LMG Touring is pleased to welcome Cory Froke as the newest Technical Project Manager on its expanding team. Based in Las Vegas, Froke brings an extensive background in touring, lighting, and operations along with a renewed enthusiasm for the touring world.

read more
How Full-Time Techs Power LMG Touring | Uven Lauzan

How Full-Time Techs Power LMG Touring | Uven Lauzan

Kesha’s “Tits Out” tour marks the biggest North American headline run of her career and her first album release as an independent artist. For LED Engineer Uven Lauzan, it’s also a milestone: helping bring the pop icon’s bold vision to life just one year after joining the LED show team.

read more
RECENT PROJECTS & POSTS

What’s New

Welcome Cory Froke | Technical Project Manager

Welcome Cory Froke | Technical Project Manager

LMG Touring is pleased to welcome Cory Froke as the newest Technical Project Manager on its expanding team. Based in Las Vegas, Froke brings an extensive background in touring, lighting, and operations along with a renewed enthusiasm for the touring world.

read more
How Full-Time Techs Power LMG Touring | Uven Lauzan

How Full-Time Techs Power LMG Touring | Uven Lauzan

Kesha’s “Tits Out” tour marks the biggest North American headline run of her career and her first album release as an independent artist. For LED Engineer Uven Lauzan, it’s also a milestone: helping bring the pop icon’s bold vision to life just one year after joining the LED show team.

read more
The Driver Era – Obsession Tour

The Driver Era – Obsession Tour

This spring, The Driver Era hit the road with a tour that pushed creative boundaries and set a new bar for seamless production. From theatrical storytelling and cinematic camera interactions to flexible rigging solutions, this tour was a showcase of artistry, adaptability, and planning.

read more
BACK TO NEWS