Lighting for the show which is produced by Alda Events was operated by Tom Spaan from The Art of Light.
Apple, one of the country's top rental companies provided 25 x Robin Pointes, 16 x ColorSpot 1200E ATs, 6 x ColorSpot 2500E ATs, 14 x ColorWash 1200E ATs and 42 x Robe 100 LEDBeams for the gig which was completely sold out.
The stage design includes a square LED screen behind the DJ booth with an additional frame of LED surrounding it which is integrated into the actual booth structure, adding a real 3-dimensionality to the set up. Either side of the DJ booth are three 'wings' of LED screen rigged in a shrinking perspective - with lighting filling in the gaps between these.
The ColorSpot 1200E ATs were positioned in the wings and on a front truss. The ColorSpot 2500E ATs were used for strong and dramatic back-lighting and front key lighting on Hardwell, while the ColorWash 1200E ATs were all on the front truss.
The Pointes were grouped into fives and rigged on the front and back trusses and also positioned on the stage floor ... for maximum effect.
The little LEDBeam 100s were dotted all over the rig - in the wings, around the centre screen and also on some audience trusses flown out in the auditorium.
Each fixture had a different function in the show, and all of them were worked hard explains Spaan, who used a grandMA2 full size for control.
The ColorSpot 2500E ATs were used for lighting Hardwell himself. Three were on the front truss, their potent beams softened with a CTO filter for more 'natural' front illumination, and this light subtly changed between warmer and cooler hues to keep continuity with the look and feel of the video content, specially created for the show by Kijkbuiskinderen.
The other three ColorSpot 2500E ATs were used in static positions backlighting the superstar DJ, highlighting his head and shoulders and matching in with the rest of the lighting. "Theatrical back-light and the great effects it brings to the equation is often lost in dance shows" observes Spaan.
The ColorWash 1200E ATs were used for general lighting and for the warm up act. Many of Hardwell's shows are recorded on camera or streamed on the internet, so he ensures that there is always some dynamic lighting on the audience, and that the whole space does not ever look like an uninviting black box.
Spaan has been working with Robe products for all of his professional career as an LD and programmer, and is always pleased when the brand is on the spec for a show, especially LEDWashes, LEDBeams and Pointes.
(Jim Evans)
