Multi-functional Platinum FLX for Cro MTV Unplugged Open Air Tour

Multi-functional Platinum FLX for Cro MTV Unplugged Open Air Tour posted: 04/10/2016

One of Germany's most influential artists of recent years is pop rapper Cro, who is just wrapping up an MTV Unplugged Open Air tour that played dates across the country this summer. Lighting design was by one of Germany's preeminent designers, Gunther Hecker from CUE Design, who incorporated Elation Professional Platinum FLX hybrid moving heads supplied by German production company satis&fy.

Known for wearing a panda mask when he performs, Cro's music is a catchy fusion of rap and pop, called raop, which, based on his audiences, attracts fans of all ages. His popularity is at an all-time high and for the MTV Unplugged Open Air tour he was supported on stage by a 20-member strong orchestra positioned across three tiers and fronting horizontally-tiered LED screens.

Gunther Hecker handled the entire visual design for the tour - lighting, set and video - his first year working with the artist. It was also his first test drive of Elation's award-winning multi-functional Platinum FLX fixture, four of which he placed on stage, two each downstage right and left, with a further twelve positioned behind the bottom row of LED panels. Working from stage level, beams from the FLX's were projected from behind and through the screen.

It's been interesting to test the FLX on this open air tour, said Hecker, who was introduced to the fixture by Martin Heuser, Global Director Lighting & Rigging Services at satis&fy, whom he has worked with for many years. After I saw a shootout of the fixture at the satis&fy facility in Karben I was sold on it. They've worked out well and I've had no problems with the fixture on this tour.

Hecker has done the lighting for many MTV Unplugged shows before, which by definition are a bit more subdued than plugged shows. Cro's music was toned down a bit for the unplugged version compared to his normal touring set, Hecker says, and that went for the lighting as well. On Cro, I used the FLX through the whole show as both a spot and beam light and used a wide palette of colors. I utilized them when the LED screen was both off and on and especially when I had them in white light they really cut through the LED video. The Platinum FLX's were the only automated fixtures on the tour that the production carried themselves with all other intelligent lighting sourced locally.

satis&fy, who handled staging, scenic, video and lighting on the Cro tour, added 100 of the Platinum FLX fixtures to their inventory earlier in the year and have kept the fixtures busy on a variety of events ever since. The MTV Unplugged Open Air tour, which ran from May through August, was its first European tour outing. Cro will hit the road again later this year, playing arenas.

About Elation Professional

Elation Professional is one of the world's leading lighting and visual solutions providers and is the global brand of Elation Lighting. Founded in 1992 and headquartered in Los Angeles, with European sales, distribution and support based in The Netherlands, Elation designs and manufactures a comprehensive range of innovative yet affordable lighting and video products that are distributed through a global network of dealers and distributors. Made up of a spirited team of dedicated personnel, Elation is setting new efficiency and performance standards in Platinum lamp and LED technology and is acknowledged for a comprehensive commitment to Total Support. As a company in expansion with a presence in a growing variety of market segments, chances are you've experienced Elation lighting at a concert, special event, TV, theater, late night venue, House of Worship, theme park, cruise ship, exhibition, architectural space or elsewhere

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