: Jarre famously wears specially designed asbestos or Kevlar-lined gloves to protect his hands from the heat of the lasers and to ensure better light reflection back to the sensors. "The Time Machine" Performance
For fans, seeing the Laser Harp live is a ritual. During "The Time Machine," it serves as more than just a musical instrument; it is a piece of performance art.
: The performance starts with Jarre framed by the towering green beams. As the tempo builds, the surrounding LED screens display synchronized 3D graphics that give the audience a sense of traveling through a digital vortex. jean_michel_jarre_the_time_machine_live_laser_harp
: It represents Jarre’s lifelong obsession with the "physicality" of electronic music—trying to make invisible sounds visible and tangible.
"The Time Machine" is the title track of his 2015 album Electronica 1: The Time Machine . In a live setting, this track serves as the grand showcase for the harp. : Jarre famously wears specially designed asbestos or
: While newer digital instruments exist, the Laser Harp remains Jarre’s signature because of its sheer scale and the precision required to play it without "ghost notes" or sensor errors in a stadium environment.
: During "The Time Machine" tour, the harp was integrated into a massive stage rig featuring 3D LED walls and moving light panels, creating an immersive "tunnel of light" effect. : The performance starts with Jarre framed by
: The beams are projected upward into the air. When Jarre's hand "breaks" a beam, a sensor (typically a photocell at the base) detects the lack of light and triggers a specific MIDI note via a synthesizer.