Hi

I'm new to Processing (even though I work as a software developer). I'm working on a project to have an interactive light show for my band using Processing, possibly Arduino, and project the graphics onto my band.

Now, the problem I have is how to control the light show, and I thought that perhaps someone here has some experience.
Basically, I see a couple of possibilities (and problems):

• The PC controls the whole light show, and the band plays with a click track. However, this makes the music much more rigid (we're a rock band, not a techno act).
• Processing reacts to some input (like the music, some webcams, some joysticks for public use etc.). But how should Processing tell a song's verse from a chorus? Also, what happens if nobody of the listeners wants to interact with the input devices?
• Processing has a couple of "presets" which are then switched by someone who understands the music. In the ideal case, this is a person only dealing with the light show - but we're not that big as a band... Which leaves the musicians. Someone could step through the presets using a MIDI board, however this might lead to confusion, since playing music and controlling the light show is quite a task.

Sooo... any good ideas?  :-)

Best regards
Eric