GLOBAL: For a tour defined by spontaneity, fluid set lists and the unmistakable rhythmic identity of Jamiroquai, lighting designer Vince Foster has once again placed his trust in the Electronic Theatre Controls (ETC) Hog platform, this time at the helm of the newly released Tour Hog console. Part of the next-generation Hog lineup, the Tour Hog now drives the band’s current live production, reinforcing a relationship between designer and console that spans more than three decades and continues to evolve with the demands of modern touring.

Foster’s long-standing allegiance to Hog is rooted in what he describes as its intuitive design, reliability and adaptability—qualities that have become critical in an environment where creative decisions often happen in real time. On the Tour Hog, he highlights the advantages of its modern hardware architecture, praising both its physical resilience and ergonomic flexibility. “I love the movable screen, the backlit and user-defined buttons, and the color-coded faders. The extra screen real estate and software improvements make it even more powerful,” he explains. With 64 universes built in, the Tour Hog—alongside other new consoles such as the Stage Hog and Flex Hog—is engineered to manage medium to large-scale productions without the need for additional hardware, giving designers the capacity to scale without complicating their workflow.

Foster’s connection with Hog dates back to the early 1990s, when the original Wholehog redefined how moving lights were programmed. “Before Hog, we were using generic desks that weren’t built for moving lights – it was difficult and impractical,” he recalls. “The Wholehog revolutionized programming, particularly with the additions of encoders, palettes, push buttons, and a user-friendly interface. It made life a lot easier.” Over the years, that foundational philosophy has remained central to the platform, evolving in both software and hardware while preserving a workflow that feels instinctive to experienced programmers.

That familiarity is especially valuable in the context of Jamiroquai’s live performances, where unpredictability is part of the show’s DNA. “I’ve been using Hog for the last 30 years. It’s like a comfortable pair of slippers – I can almost program it with my eyes closed,” says Foster, pointing to the console’s intuitive patching system, built-in fixture library and auto-menus as tools that allow rapid setup, seamless fixture changes and fast adaptation to the demands of festival stages and touring schedules alike. With set lists often delivered minutes before a performance and the band frequently looping or improvising mid-song, the Tour Hog’s operational flexibility becomes more than a convenience—it is essential. “This show has no time code, and Jamiroquai often loops or improvises mid-song. Hog’s contents window allows me to jump between cues in a non-linear fashion, so I can adapt instantly to whatever the band is doing. It’s perfect for spontaneous programming.”

For ETC, the continued presence of Hog at the heart of a globally recognised live act underscores the platform’s design ethos: empowering designers to respond creatively in the moment without sacrificing technical control. “We’re really pleased to see Vince Foster continue to trust Hog consoles for a tour as dynamic as Jamiroquai’s. Hog was built to give designers the freedom to adapt in real time, and Vince’s work is a perfect example of that vision in action. His creativity and the console’s flexibility come together to deliver great shows,” says Matt Cowles, ETC Associate Regional Manager.

Reflecting on a relationship that has shaped much of his professional life, Foster offers a candid summation: “Challenging sometimes, but on the whole I have a great experience running and using this desk-otherwise I wouldn’t have been using it for the last 30+ years. I’ve never used any other moving light desk. I like the desk, I like the interface, and it’s only gotten better.” On a tour where rhythm, improvisation and visual storytelling intersect night after night, the Tour Hog is proving that evolution in control technology can be as much about creative freedom as it is about technical power.