Germany - For more than 20 years, the Airbeat One festival has entertained fans with the harder side of electronic music with an event that features cutting-edge stage design, epic light shows and leading international DJs.
Airbeat One 2024 was recently held at Flugplatz Neustadt-Glewe, where lighting designer Christopher Rostalski, CEO of CR Lichtdesign, used 130 Claypaky Tambora Linear 100 LED pixel-mapping bars designed for versatile lighting effects and artistic set decoration.
The annual event is one of the largest EDM festivals in Germany, drawing some 100,000 visitors. Every year has a different country theme with France being highlighted in 2024, and the stage designs and presentation of the festival reflecting that choice: the main stage was a faithful replica of the Arc de Triomphe and the Louvre in Paris.
Rostalski selected 130 Claypaky Tambora Linear 100 fixtures for the main stage, where they outlined the venue’s central structures with a total of 12 vertical lines with a maximum height of almost 35m. In addition, a variety of Claypaky Sharpys were positioned on the side floors.
The Tambora Linear 100s are hybrid bars, incorporating two complementary effects in one fixture. The first is driven by a system of 400 RGB pixel LEDs, which offer a background light very similar to that of a high-definition LED wall in appearance. This LED array can be controlled as 16 LEDs in 25 groups to provide high-quality motion graphics.
The second effect is created by a central line of 200 powerful white LEDs for an overwhelming strobe effect, which can also be controlled through 25 different areas for unparalleled versatility.
“I was looking for a linear effect to draw the outlines and building structures,” says Rostalski. “With the RGB chips in the Tamboras we were able to create a large coloured output and a strong impact with the additional strobe line.”
He also cites the advantages offered by the Tamboras’ high light output, light weight and low power consumption.
“We were very happy with the results,” Rostalski reports. “The guest operators, who travel with the main acts and supervise their shows, were also very happy with the choice of fixtures.” He cites the helpful support provided by Manuel Hahn in Germany during the run-up and pre-programming phase.
Music Eggert/Airbeat One GMBH was the event organiser with Poland-based TSE Grupa providing technical services and the Claypaky fixtures.
