Band Forecasts Thick Layer of Mid-Set Stage Fog

MINNEAPOLIS — Local band HorseLord forecasted a surprise front of thick stage fog rolling in around the middle of their set, despite a temperature of around 70 degrees with a chance to climb once the audience really starts moving, confirmed sources checking their Weather Channel apps.

“About halfway through, we’re projecting a heavy front of Chauvet Hurricane fog to sweep in, likely enveloping myself and the rest of the band in an atmospheric, moody haze that’ll signal both a change in song and a change in mood for the show,” said Susanne Faherty, HorseLord’s lead singer. “Out will go the clear, easy sightlines of the first half of the show—the fog’ll really do a number on the audience’s understanding of ‘where we are.’”

The venue HorseLord’s booked to perform, Minneapolis’ Union Underground, boasts a wide range of production capabilities, including an impressive fleet of three Chauvet Hurricane 1800 Flex fog machines, each of which offers DMX control with 180-degree angles.

“We do it all at the Union Underground. Elaborate lighting setups, shows in the round, and, occasionally, fog machine fog so thick I wouldn’t recommend driving a car through it unless you got yourself a deathwish, bub,” explained Murph Lawson, a Union Underground stagehand. “Now, there are some telltale signs a stage fog front’s rolling in—mostly, myself, crouching low and turning the machines on. I can also do the remote, but if that’s acting up, you know, I’ll get in there. But either way—fog’s coming.”

Stage fog has long been a go-to for bands to give a different look to their sets, though it’s a touch off of most weather services’ reporting radars.

“We project all kinds of weather—heat waves, hurricanes, monsoons, you name it. But no, stage fog’s not something we’d cover,” noted Carol Martinez, the weather reporter for Minneapolis’ NBC affiliate. “Stage fog is usually more of a man-made—kind of self-indulgent, if you ask me—artistic choice on the part of either a musician or a production manager who’s got fog juice to burn. Now, does it look cool? While it’s not exactly in my professional wheelhouse to say, as an occasional show-goer myself, I’d say yes. It does look cool.”

At press time, Union Underground’s staff were seen showing the band their range of strobes, which HorseLord forecast for one last look change to distinguish their encore from the rest of the set.

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