Steve Langton - Pyrophone Juggernaut
Steve Langton – Pyrophone Juggernaught Creator. (percussionist Jake in the background)
Image credits to and courtesy of the Taoyuan Festival organisers, Yeh Yeh and Ya Ling
Thank you both for making us all feel so welcome and special.
Lucas recently returned from a festival in Taoyuan City,Taiwan where he performed once again on the Pyrophone Juggernaut with the very talented creator Steve Langton, and pyro-musical crew. This was Lucas’s third encounter on board the Pyrophone to both help build and perform. (the last show being New Years Eve on Sydney Harbour at the start of 2012)
the tallented (and tough) and lovely Emma building some bells
Benjamin Tchang, Director General from the Cultural Affairs Bureau of Taoyaun, enjoying a tour of the Pyrophone and a ‘whack’ on the ‘Thongaphone’.
Benjamin has got groove and there’s possibly room on board for him if he gets bored with his Director General gig. 
The Children’s festival in Taoyuan is a major event with many International performers flown in from around the world to perform over 2 days.
There was a huge media presence at the festival and a special media event preceded the festival at the new Taoyaun Arts Centre. Many VIP officials and organizers loved meeting the performers and getting a private sample of their acts to follow.
Nick and his crew giving a performance sample at the VIP and Media event.
Pyrophone build team and Yeh Yeah and May enjoying a short break from the Pyro build at the VIP and media event
media shot with VIPs and Russian performers
Set up Pyrophone Juggernaut
Last heavy bit, the Gong (which Steve sand cast himself from aluminium mag wheels)
Steve giving the thongaphone a bit of a smack
In Australia the unpack and careful assembly of the 7 tonne Juggernaut usually takes 2 to 3 days and an experienced crew of 7 .
In Taiwan Steve, Emma and Lucas did it in 2 days of 35+ degree heat with the help of a few super eager but inexperienced young girls!! Thanks to all who helped (and survived this build unharmed). And special thanks to May and Penny for your all your assistance.
Steve suffered another squashed finger on pack down but it will recover. “every digit gets a turn” he said after significantly squashing a different digit on the last Pyro pack down.
It was during the build that the Pyrophone Juggernaut team learnt of possibly one of the worst Typhoon in 13 years was heading to Taiwan (there were actually two Typhoon threatening to merge). But as the saying goes the show must go on!
Luckily the Typhoon Saola was moving slowly and the festival and Pyrophone escaped its eventual wrath.
Typhoon Soalas ‘angry parts’ were about 200klm wide. parts of Taiwan, China and the Philippines were smashed, battered and or flooded by her presence and aftermath.
Your spiral clouds are no Match for our flame throwers! be gone spinning cloud, be gone!
Lucas playing with fire…. again
Emma behind the Horns and wall of flames
First rate staging and production with massive lighting and sound towers and gigantic projectors and screens deep into the crowd of 3000 to 5000 patrons and kids. This entire festival was put on by the City of Toayaun and was FREE to attend !
Nice one Taoyaun, you guys absolutely ROCK !
– we realise that it just mightn’t be possible.
