Veteran lighting designer LeRoy Bennett, who has worked with pop icons such as Prince, Lady Gaga and Nine Inch Nails since 1980, will join Chinese rock singer-songwriter Wang Feng's 2014-2015 tour.

The tour kicks off in Jiangsu province's Suzhou city today and heads to Beijing's National Stadium - aka the Bird's Nest - on Aug 2.

"I've always had this fascination about China since I was a little boy - especially the architecture and food," Bennett says.

"This is my first time working with a Chinese artist. So I am very excited to use all my vision about China in this production. I want this production to be something Chinese, rather than pushing a Western way. I added traditional Chinese elements, such as the moon gate and percussion instruments, which makes the production multipersonality."

Bennett learned Wang wanted him to join his tour when Bennett flew to Shanghai to see a friend in November 2013, while preparing for Paul McCartney's Japan tour. They met in Shanghai.

"I listened to his music, which was beyond my expectation," Bennett says.

"He is like a Western musician - blues, rock and all the Western influences. I am a big music fan. Though I don't know what he sings about, the feeling is right."

Bennett hopes to facilitate more international teamwork with Chinese artists.

Wang says he shares this aspiration.

"I've always had the dream to bring world-level designers to my concerts because I want Chinese audiences to watch a great show in China by a Chinese singer, rather than flying abroad to see Western stars or watching DVDs at home."

The 43-year-old Beijinger, who's trained as a violinist, has released 10 albums since 1997. Last year, he released his double CD Born in Hesitation and staged a sold-out 15-city national tour.

His onstage intensity has made him one of the country's best-selling singer-songwriters.

"We've talked with several production teams, who work with U2, Muse and Michael Jackson. Finally, we have Bennett, whose schedule and ideas fit my tour."

Bennett says joining Wang's tour is fun yet challenging, especially at the Bird's Nest, the venue of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games' opening ceremony.

"I've watched the opening ceremony, and I know the venue is very special," he says.

Bennett always consults artists before designing.

"Every artist is their own individual," he says.

"For example, Paul McCartney knew exactly what he wants, and Lady Gaga would twist everything you give in her own way. My role is to develop their ideas and provide them with an overpowering environment for presenting their music."

Fulfilling this role in China presents new challenges, he says.

"It's a long and slow process to work things out, which took lots of patience and effort. But I like watching how my vision is realized, and I like seeing the feedback of the audiences during the shows. It's a drastic step in my career - the new culture, new artist, new language - which I have never done before."

IF YOU GO

7:30 pm, June 8. Suzhou Sports Center, 1131 Sanxiang Lu (Road), Suzhou, Jiangsu province.

7:30 pm, Aug 2. The National Stadium, A3 Anding Lu (Road), Chaoyang district, Beijing. 180-1,680 yuan ($29-267).

400-615-5111.

chennan@chinadaily.com.cn

LeRoy Bennett joins Chinese musician Wang Feng's 2014-2015 tour. Zou Hong / China Daily

(China Daily 06/08/2014 page9)