Claypaky takes centre stage at Sundown Festival

Claypaky takes centre stage at Sundown Festival posted: 31/12/2016

The lighting designers of music superstars Jason Derulo, Dizzee Rascal and Chase and Status requested Claypaky Sharpys and A.leda B-EYE K10s as key fixtures in their touring rigs at UK urban music festival Sundown. Responsible for the mainstage festival rig was Mick Freer, Head of Concert Touring at award-winning production and hire outfit Hawthorn that provided the lighting, rigging, drapes, FOH control systems and followspots for Sundowns mainstage.

Jason Derulos lighting designer, Bobby Bascombe, specified the 24 x Claypaky A.leda B-EYE K10s for the flown rig, and 26 x Claypaky Sharpys in vector mode for the floor package, says Freer. Claypaky Sharpys were also requested by Steve Bewley, lighting designer for Dizzee Rascal, and Chase and Status LD, Andy Hurst.

Freer consulted Bascombe, Bewley, Hurst and the other visiting designers in the months leading to the festival to create a main stage rig that would accommodate the specific needs of the headline acts and provide versatility for other visiting artists.

The lighting designers provide a festival/touring plot in their rider, says Freer. I then pick out the key elements that they want and incorporate them into the rig design. In this case the Claypaky Sharpy and A.leda B-EYE K10 were fixtures specified by multiple designers.

The award-winning Claypaky A.leda B-EYE K10 fast has proved a popular festival fixture. Operating in three modes, wash, beam and FX, the B-EYE provides a range of creative opportunities for designers who are looking for versatility and excitement.

The B-EYE K10 was specifically requested by Jason Derulos production, says Freer. Incorporating this fixture into the design provided the opportunity to create really crisp washes on stage as well as the chance to use the fixture in its FX mode displaying some great eye-candy effects for the audience. They are ideal fixtures for a festival situation where you have big crowds, big acts and quick changeovers.

The A.leda B-EYE K10 is notable by its honeycomb lens that allows light to be focused into a 4 beam light and then expanded into a 60 wash light at the touch of a button. The front lens then enables the light to perform in FX mode whereby designers can create kaleidoscope effects that ripple across the stage.

The Sharpy was perfect for the Derulo floor package and as a general workhorse for the rig, continues Freer. Sundown Festival has a lot of quick changeovers and the Sharpy was fast and easy to put into place. Its small size meant we could also hide the fixture into backline set-ups which allowed us to create some great aerial visual effects. The fixture combines this power with a small physical footprint and a lightweight build.

The Sharpy weighs in at a compact 19kgs and at 49cm tall, a compact fixture whose laser-like beam punches out 59,760 lux at 20m (5,100 footcandles at 65 ft) - perfect for Sundowns 40,000 strong crowd.

Hawthorn chooses to invest in Claypaky for the versatility of the fixtures, says Freer. We have a great relationship with the brand and value the reliability of their fixtures and service. The bright, even beam and great colours that their products provide makes them a sound investment.

Sundown Festival was held on the 1 - 3rd of September in Norwich.

LINK:	http://www.live-production.tv/news/shows/claypaky-takes-centre-stage-s...
	See more stories from liveproduction

Most recent headlines