Daan Oomen is the creative director and co-founder of Live Legends and CEO of Live Legends Asia, operating in 26 countries worldwide. Live Legends creates amazing live experiences, bringing inspiring content and cutting edge technology together: from tailor-made show creation, set, stage, and lighting design, video content, experience architecture and more – for concerts, theatre, television, high-end clubs, festivals, eSports, conferences and corporate live events.

Robe: Where are you right now?

Daan: At my home studio in Utrecht, and sometimes at our new office in Abcoude. (Netherlands)

Robe: How are you spending time whilst isolating / on lockdown?

Daan: Working on new designs and concepts, spending time with my family.

I have never been home for such a long time.

With over 100 flights a year, you can imagine I rarely have quality time with my family.

In the ten years I’ve been in a relationship with my wife, we have never spent more time than 4 weeks together, so this is definitely a test for our relationship. And it turns out, that we really like each other (I guess she will be reading this article too hahahaha lol).

Besides that, my cooking skills are improving. I always loved to cook, but now I have time, I am getting better at it.

Robe: What’s the most creative thing you can do whilst in isolation?

Daan: Besides designing, we – Live Legends – have developed a new online event concept: LIVE@HOME, a corona-proof solution to create legendary live experiences in a hybrid virtual setting.

Robe: Are you looking after anyone else during the Covid-19 crisis? Like neighbours or others in the family?

Daan: My family.

Robe: Has anyone particularly inspired you since this crisis started?

Daan: It is inspiring to see how everyone is trying to create solutions in the time of COVID-19 … and how rapidly technical innovation is growing to make sure we can still meet each other in a virtual world.

Robe: What has been your favourite book / movie / Netflix or TV series / viral video / Games / music?

Daan: I finished watching the last seasons of Ozark and Westworld.

My favourite book is “The Subtle Art of Not Giving A Fuck!” (by Mark Manson – A Counterintuitive Approach to Living), I was always bad at prioritizing, and this book made me realize what needs priority and what does not.

Robe: What is the first thing you’d like to do when we are through this crisis?

Daan: I can’t wait to get back out there, and do what we love best, telling stories on an actual stage, capturing live emotions. After the event, we would go celebrate with drinks, dancing on the tables, holding hands!

Robe: Own question / answer / message of solidarity or something you would like to say?

Daan: I see creativity as an important pillar in the fight against fear and isolation.

Creativity and inspiration give us hope and take us further as a society. Just as scientists are inventive in creating a new vaccine. We as artists can contribute to creating beautiful events and settings to counteract fear and medicine for inspiration.

Like isolated Italian residents who sang and created songs to stay connected and energized.

Creating breeds hope, it brings us together in this struggle. We will stand strong and get through this!