Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Moore.
Hi Michael, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My interest in lighting was first sparked in 2009 after seeing a band called Sound Tribe Sector 9 at a show in Tulsa Oklahoma. I’ve been a drummer my entire life, so music has always spoken to me in a rhythmic way. STS9 was the first instance where I was able to experience rhythm on a visual plane and it was captivating. I had just graduated college with a political science degree and was unsure of what I wanted to do, so I started to learn about lighting and lightshows and dabbled with some very basic software. I ended up applying for an internship at a Dallas-based company called Onstage Systems, was hired and in spring 2010 moved from Fayetteville Arkansas to Richardson Texas to start my internship.
I was a full-time employee at Onstage Systems for 7 years, where I was trained and worked as a lighting and video technician for concerts, music festivals, and live events. I also spent 3 years on a worldwide tour as a lighting operator and media server programmer. I left Onstage in 2017 where I had a short stint in commercial LED sales, which I quit after a few months.
In the spring of 2018, I started working as a contractor for live events and festivals. I also began partnering with local DJ collectives around DFW to started throwing extremely well-produced and unique underground shows. The Dallas local house/techno scene became my lifeline during covid and really helped carry me through a time when I was very lost and work was almost impossible to find. During that time and while doing those shows I began to purchase my own gear and control systems and in 2021 I started my LLC – Moore Lighting and Visuals. Since 2021 I’ve done significant lighting/visual/fx upgrades and installs at 6 locations around Texas.
I’ve toured extensively with many large artists in the past two years as a visual artist and representative of my company.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Absolutely not. I have failed more times than I can count and gotten more second chances than I deserve. I’ve fucked up in minor and major ways, I’ve burned bridges and crossed lines. I’ve gotten fired for good reasons and I’ve gotten fired for no reason at all. I’ve been thrown under the bus for shit I didn’t do, and I’ve had to apologize to people I let down for the mistakes I made. My entire path has been a struggle a majority of the time. I have never given up because I have truly tried to learn from every mistake and better myself in some way through each experience.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I specialize in live music production design and operation. I am most known for my unique style of operating lighting and visuals for underground shows, and on a larger scale, I am known for my intricate and detailed laser timecode.
I served as a programmer and laser technician for Arjet Singh’s North American tour. I also did the laser timecode for the $uicide Boy$ grey day tour. At the end of 2022 I hit the road for 3 months with Steve Lacy where I served as the timecode programmer, laser technician, and carpenter for his ‘Give you the World tour.’
In 2023, I started the year off as timecode programmer and laser technician for Subtronics ‘Anti fractal’ tour. I also had that position for the first two months of Janet Jacksons ‘Together Again’ tour. In May, I was brought to EDC by the artist Slander where I timecoded all the lasers for their mainstage set. I also recently timecoded all of the laser looks for LSDreams ‘RAVE’ tour, which is still on the road.
Since July I have been on tour with Peso Pluma, where I am part of the front-of-house creative team. Onsite I serve as laser designer, programmer, FX coordinator, and LSO for the team. We have done more than 60 shows in 6 countries, 4 festivals, and live streams for Amazon Music, Apple Music, and TikTok.
I am most proud of my timecode on Subtronics tour, LSDream tour, and my work at Radiance NYE Festival 2022 and Seismic Dance Event 2021. I’m also pretty proud of my work with Peso Pluma as the music I’ve had to work with was as foreign as possible when I first started the job.
A few things set me apart from others – my drumming background gives me immaculate timing and understanding of music. I also feel like I just get it. I know what needs to happen, when, and how it should happen to enhance a moment in just the right way.
Do you have any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
Playing catch with my dad in our front yard and when my family would go on group bike rides together
Contact Info:
- Website: www.MichaelLights.com
- Instagram: @michael_lightss
