Willie Williams (set designer)

Willie Williams ( born 1959 in Newcastle -upon- Tyne, England ) is a British video artist and designer for lighting design on concert stages, in theaters and multimedia projects. He became known by the stage designs of the rock band U2.

Born and raised in Sheffield, England, Williams was an above average student in physics and mathematics and planned after school at the University College, London to study physics. With the development of punk music, however, he decided to become active in the music scene. He developed the lighting and stage designs of the bands Writz, Deaf School and Stiff Little Fingers. After hearing the album Boy of the rock group U2, he decided to work for the band and got this job as well, after the U2 manager Paul McGuinness contacted.

Willie Williams was responsible for all the stage designs of the band U2 since 1982. Particularly exceptional as well as the Joshua Tree Tour ( 1987) Lovetown Tour was the Zoo TV Tour ( 1992-93), but also the minimalist War Tour ( 1982-83 ) and Unforgettable Fire Tour ( 1984-85 ) (1989-90 ) PopMart Tour ( 1997-98 ) Elevation Tour ( 2001) and the Vertigo Tour ( 2005-06). He has also worked with the likes of REM, David Bowie, The Rolling Stones, Darren Hayes and George Michael.

He also collaborated with Laurie Anderson, Marianne Faithfull and the Kronos Quartet.

Williams also worked on theater productions such as We Will Rock You, Little Britain Live, French and Saunders, The Fast Show, Barbarella and Pam Ann.