I just tried a 50ohm resistor, and also no resistor, no improvement.
Also tried a decoupling cap on the first LED, no improvement.
I think it might be in the library 
Found this fix for a WS2812 ESP8266 library, not sure if it helps or not…
Just tried the stock library without parallel output and the problem is even worse 
@Jeremy_Spencer the first led of each strip flickering is due to the interrupts. I need to fix it by modifying the code. Like i did you would need to ‘hide’ the first one whilst I am done with that
@Yves_BAZIN I’ve ordered a bunch of WS2811s on boards with no leds, which I should be able to hide in the controller box 
@Jeremy_Spencer let us see the result I am curious
@Yves_BAZIN Will do, still got add the microphone and rotary encoder and then put the LEDs in the umbrella…
@Yves_BAZIN , the null pixels are in
Ws2811smissing/deleted image from Google+
In silicone and heat shrinkmissing/deleted image from Google+
@Jeremy_Spencer can’t wait to see the all stuff light up
@Yves_BAZIN Just fitting the leds now…
Still need to make an enclosure for the controller and another for the rotary encoder
Half the LEDs are in 
missing/deleted image from Google+
@Jeremy_Spencer that’s a super nice summer ready unmbrella
@Yves_BAZIN I’m kind of wishing I’d stuck with the normal 8 rib version, a lot less work!
But this will look amazing when all 480 LEDs are up and running :)))
@Jeremy_Spencer Ahha when you do large stuff there is always that point when you think: ‘why why why?’ But then the finish product makes you proud. Any video of it all light up ?
Only four ribs left to do missing/deleted image from Google+
I’ll try and do a proper post tomorrow…
@Yves_BAZIN , thank you for all of your help :))
@Jeremy_Spencer that looks amazing