On Stage with Not for Radio: Visuals and Set Design from María Zardoya's 2026 Concert Run
By Marcus Vance
Q1: What inspired the Swan Lake stage design for the 2026 tour?
A1: María Zardoya and the creative team developed the concept around classical ballet dualities to visually reflect the band's transition from gentle dream pop toward darker, more structured compositions. The staging reflects themes of transformation and liberation.
Q2: How did the setlist differ between festival sets and theater headline stops?
A2: Headline theatre stops featured a full 90-minute set structured into three visual acts, complete with acoustic transitions and extended brass arrangements. Festival appearances, such as their Coachella sets, focused on higher-energy tracks with compressed pacing to suit time limits.
Q3: Did the elaborate tour set design accompany every date on the tour schedule?
A3: The complete kinetic feather rig and descending fly frames appeared primarily in major theatrical stops with modern fly systems. Outdoor dates, including the Lake Eola Orlando show, utilized an adapted open-air layout built around projection screens and shoreline reflections.
Marcus Vance is a cybersecurity auditor and technology writer dedicated to educating the public about online safety, data privacy regulations, enterprise security, and emerging cyber threats.
