See You Later Creates Magical Set for Summer Walker

Before a single note hits the air, the stage design can tell a story all its own. For Summer Walker’s performance on Chris Brown’s Breezy Bowl XX Tour, the Los Angeles-based design studio See You Later crafted an entire world that perfectly complemented her dreamy vocals and artistic vision. Their work goes beyond mere decoration; it’s the foundation for an immersive experience.

Crafting Immersive Performance Environments

See You Later, founded by stage designer Darrius Medina, is renowned for creating performance environments that are both emotionally tuned and visually stunning. They fuse architecture, art, and narrative to design spaces that respond to sound and elevate the artist’s presence. Their impressive client list includes major artists like Sabrina Carpenter, Doechii, Bad Bunny, John Legend, and Missy Elliott.

For Summer Walker’s set, the challenge was to create a distinct world for her within the larger arena production of Chris Brown’s tour. This required agility and a deep understanding of Walker’s artistic identity. Medina explained their core mission: “Our job really is to build a narrative or story around the artists and build a world around them… It becomes a big collaboration with the artist, their team, and our team to build the best show possible.”

Collaboration and Creative Synergy

The collaboration for Summer Walker’s set began early in the year, with Medina teaming up with Creative Director Harriet Cuddeford and filmmaker Lacey Duke. Their synergy was immediate, building on previous successful projects like Bad Bunny’s Saturday Night Live performance. Cuddeford praised the collaboration, noting, “It’s such a synergy that’s really special. You have to understand each other, problem-solve quickly, and create a kind of safety and reciprocity in the process.”

Summer Walker herself came with clear visual references, including an interest in the retro-futuristic aesthetic of the Instagram account Chaos Stream Land. With a strong vision and a supportive team, See You Later was able to translate these ideas into a cohesive stage design. Medina highlighted the importance of asking the right questions to extract moods and feelings, ensuring the creative vision was executed despite practical constraints like stage size and load-in times.

An Intergalactic Stage for Summer Walker

The result was an intergalactic-inspired set that perfectly matched Walker’s dreamy vocals with a futuristic glow. Even within the limitations of a supporting act’s stage setup, See You Later managed to create a unique moment for Walker. Cuddeford mentioned, “Chris’s team were kind and accommodating. Within reason, she was able to build her own setup and have her own moment, while still fitting inside the larger production.”

The studio’s name, “See You Later,” reflects their adaptable and collaborative ethos. Medina described it as a phrase born from the idea of creating experiences together and returning to do so again. Ultimately, they hope audiences remember Summer Walker’s artistry, her growth as a performer, and the immersive experience created, rather than just the spectacle.