Clay Paky Dominates Eurovision Song Contest

BAKU, Azerbaijan – The Eurovision Song Contest recently completed its 57th year, held at The Baku Crystal Hall in Azerbaijan. LD Jerry Appelt specified an arsenal of 2,891 lighting fixtures. Of the 1,400-plus moving heads, 667 were Clay Paky fixtures. One lighting element new to the Eurovision stage was the Parasol KLR (Kinetic Light Ring) system, hung directly over the stage, which allows moving lights to move along a fixed path on a linear or curved truss. The Eurovision system consisted of three concentric rings with circular motion, all lit with Alpha Beam 1500s, with their independent and simultaneous motion over the stage for a dynamic effect.

MONTREAL – Moment Factory created multimedia content for Madonna’s new world tour, which kicked off May 31. Every step in the production process was carried out in close collaboration with Madonna and her team, including show director Michel Laprise of Cirque du Soleil, set designer Mark Fisher, lighting designer Al Gurdon, production manager Jake Berry, video technical director Stefaan Desmedt and choreographers Rich + Tone.

LONDON – UK hip hop star Professor Green’s recent touring rig was dominated by Philips Vari-Lite VL3000 Spot luminaires. LD Pete Watts says his design concept was similar to how a ballet LD relies on bodies of the dancers to deliver impact.

GENEVA, Switzerland – LD Peter Heilig specified more than 300 Robe ROBIN 600 LEDWash and PureWhite moving lights to showcase the BMW stand at the 2012 International Geneva Motor show. The LD had not used Robe products before, so his fixture choices were selected after several shoot-outs.

AUSTIN, TX – High End Systems products play an instrumental role in Tangerine Dream’s spring/summer “Electric Mandarine Tour 2012.” LD Andreas Fink, from Austria’s Preworks, specified 2 DL.3 Digital Lights and 2 SHOWGUN 2.5 and 2 SHOWBEAM 2.5 automated luminaires, controlled with a Road Hog Full Boar.