LD lights Houston Rodeo shows with Elation
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HLSR recently unveiled a new star-shaped concert stage and backdrop truss structure for the shows that supports LED video and hundreds of intelligent lights, among them Elation Protron Eclypse, Elation Paladin, and Elation Fuze Wash Z350 fixtures.
Production company LD Systems has been working on HLSR since 1985 and for the 2019 version (25 February to 17 March 17) again provided complete audio, video and lighting production services and technical support for the NRG stage. LD Systems deployed a stadium-wide system of automated lights that lighting designer Nathan Brittain used to create spectacular looks for a star-filled line-up of nightly concerts that included names like Tim McGraw, Brooks and Dunn, Zedd, George Strait, Santana and more.
Multifunctionality has become an increasingly important aspect of a lighting fixture with Brittain employing Elation’s new 4-in-1 Protron Eclypse hybrid LED luminaire as a strobe fixture from overhead while also using it for eye candy effects for the audience. “We also washed the seating bowl in colour at times. In fact, we used all its functionality - blinder, strobe, wash light, and eye candy effect,” he said. “I had them in 6-zone mode, which was sufficient to be read well from far away, even in a football stadium.” Some 56 Protron Eclypse fixtures were used in the setup located on multiple levels all around the main overhead lighting system above the stage.
The designer says the Eclypse lights helped complete the look of the system when looking at the full picture. “The stage has a lot of pixel elements from several fixtures and I think the Eclypse’s continue that theme up to the overhead system,” he comments. “They really help to tie it all together.”
LD Systems turned to other Elation fixtures in the setup as well. Hanging high over the lower bowl and providing downwash onto the audience for camera shots were 36 Elation Paladins, powerful IP65-rated hybrid effects with twenty-four 40W RGBW LEDs that also multi-function as a high-power wash light, strobe, blinder or eye candy effect. Additional colour came from 20 Fuze Wash Z350 single source Par LED moving heads mounted on the overhead system.
The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo not only educates and entertains the public as a showcase of Western heritage, it also has a philanthropic element by supporting Texas youth. “The LD Systems team is proud to support the incredible charitable accomplishments of HLSR and is honoured to provide technical support for this great organization,” Brittain concludes. “And thanks to Joe Adams and Elation for all the support.”
(Jim Evans)
