Set up by brothers Paul and Preston Hoffman in 2005, Pulse Lighting were asked to light the Californian-based 'fusion' band in their own right for the first time. "The management knew we had experience of the venue, and in running concert lights for broadcast," said Preston.
The day of the event - 20 April 20- was also significant since it is the day when counter-culturists celebrate the love of cannabis, as Preston explains. "With cannabis legalised in the state in 2013, the 4/20 show was historic for everyone involved in that culture. It is no secret that Slightly Stoopid is a pro marijuana band so this event was monumental - and they really wanted to make it a special for their fans."
And the GLP impressions helped ensure that dream became a reality. The Hoffmans' experience with the German manufacturer's LED platform dates back to the very beginning, and the launch of the original impression 90 in 2007. "At the time, it was an amazing product - but it is unbelievable how far that technology has advanced in such a short time since then."
Preston further experienced the high value of the Volkslicht Zoom on tour with Furthur and featured them in a music venue called The Hamilton in Washington DC. However, the Red Rocks show was the first time he had used the new generation impression X4's. "And I was very impressed with everything about them," he said.
To exemplify the point Hoffman was able "to pull triple duty" from just 12 fixtures - "and In all three categories the X4 did great!" he reports. In particular, he wanted to see how they would perform as a wash/beam/effect light, suspended directly behind the band where the cameras would pick them up.
Pulse Lighting were working through local technical production and event management specialists, Brown Note Productions (who provided all the lighting, including the X4's), and Preston Hoffman was full of praise for their professionalism. "In my opinion they have some of the most cutting edge equipment in Denver."
In summary, the lighting director says this was a project he couldn't have felt more proud of. "I have been on a personal quest to find the best moving head LED on the market that can be a multifunctional, lightweight and power efficient fixture.
(Jim Evans)
