I haven't gotten too into the NBC summer show America's Got Talent, but I do watch it from time to time when there's nothing else on in the evenings. It's kinda like American Idol, as there a host and 3 judges and people from all over the country have to audition, only it doesn't feature just singers. The winner of the competition gets $100,000 and becomes a headliner in a Vegas show, so there's all kinds of different people auditioning from dance groups, to magicians, to odd random performers and more! Ever since the audition round, the performers are divided up into groups of 3 acts and each week 3 or 4 groups of 3 perform again and then America gets to vote by call and/or text and decide who the winner is in each group and that group then gets to head to the next round in the competition.Anyways, one of my favorite groups I saw during the audition rounds is called ArcAttack.
From their website:
Creators of the original Singing Tesla Coils, the crew of ArcAttack uses their high tech wizardry to generate a truly 'electrifying' performance. Two custom engineered hand built Tesla Coils throw out electrical arcs up to twelve feet long, each one acting as an instrument with a sound reminiscent of the early days of the synthesizer. A robotic drum set accompanies the spectacle, it's high power LED's flashing bright colors with the stroke of each mechanically actuated stick, while ArcAttack's six members churn out rhythmic instrumental melodies. Live instruments meet drum loops and samples to produce rock, electronica and indie with a splash of punk and a dash of metal served with a side of pop. During the show, the MC engages both the crowd and the Tesla Coils by walking through ½ Million Volt sparks wearing the relatively thin layer of his chain mail Faraday suit. This high power performance is unique in it's elements and energy, being at the same time mesmerizing and energetically thrilling.For their audition round, they did the Imperial March from Star Wars and it looked REALLY COOL! For the round that aired this week, they did Iron Man which was just as neat.
I *really* hope these guys go all the way and win this season - their act is so different and unique from all the others and it's got the element of danger too as they are basically playing with electricity - they really have what it takes to headline a Vegas show. I know would I definitely pay to go see them if they're out there the next time we go to Vegas - the judges keep saying, TV doesn't do their act justice, which I would believe as it seems like it would be a great live experience!
Check em out in the videos below.
Here's their audition performance of the Imperial March from Star Wars
Here's this week's performance of Iron Man
Whoa. That is a crazy act. I wonder just how dangerous it is. Like, are we going to hear about the America's Got Talent act that got burnt to a crisp on stage? I've seen demonstrations where Tesla coils send electricity leaping towards a metal cage with a guy inside, but that seems a bit different from a guy in a chainmail suit.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, very unique and entertaining. I hope they get far, and don't get shocked.
Anytime you "play" with electricity there's obviously a danger factor. Luckily they're pros at what they do. The coils' parts are Joe DiPrima's own design; therefore he understands them inside out. So no, I don't think anyone will get "burnt to a crisp", (although don't try it at home, anyone else probably would). And there are people who use Faraday cages, but like you said the chainmail suit is different, (and freakin awesome). And no one else really uses music or interfaced instruments to actually produce the notes through coils. I know I've seen them several times and I could watch them several times a day for the rest of my life without fear of boredom. I also hope they win the million and the Vegas show. There's no better entertainment I could imagine!
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