Stage lighting for a music festival is in an entirely different league than that of lighting a venue concert or house show. There are new complications present such as the possibility of bad weather, presence of daylight, the density of performances in such a short amount of time, different budget, and lack of infrastructure as compared to a venue, along with countless unforeseeable other hitches. However, lighting professionals work their magic to ensure an expressive, customized, and perfected show for each festival and its valued performers.
The hot, sunny, sweaty, dehydrated, manic, and wild mood often set by weekend long music festivals in the summer make for a difficult time when devising plans for a memorable lighting set. Many festivals have an overall theme, where lighting designs remain relatively constant throughout the multiple day events. However, there are also festivals which customize lights for each and every set performed, as determined by the individual performer’s requirements. Since such a large part of any live show (and especially a festival) is the visual aspect, lighting professionals must put in the extra work to make a wonderful experience for both the performers and audience alike.
As for lighting a temporary stage in the middle of field on a summer day, light set designers must retain their ability to have a functioning light show during daylight hours, as headlining acts often go on even before the sun sets. Therefore, many rigs utilize bold and bright LED color light washes, haze/fog, lasers, gobos, and video walls. With these tools, bands are swathed in colors which make them pop, have a surrounding atmosphere where lights may be seen through fog, and may project their name or logo anywhere around the stage! Perhaps the most important facet of this type of setup is fog. A fog machine provides a place for light to be diffused, shadows to be softened, and highlights to be emphasized. Light beams will be much more visible in the daylight, and crowds will feel much more involved in the atmosphere among the drifting fog.
Time, weather, and logistics all come into play when considering running lighting and sound for a music festival. Since the budget for a major festival is much larger than that of a single venue show, lighting rigs are built from the bottom up, allowing for customization and concision. Also, flexibility is a major must have, seeing as to the sheer amount of individual performances occuring in a three day time span. Each band wants to have their own memorable vision, with epic looks coinciding with their monumental performances. Therefore, each lighting tool used should be imperative to the show, and able to provide unique and cinematic looks for everyone. Fixtures involved in the lighting rig must each have great variability and endurance, for the conditions of their use are guaranteed to be tough. Through pouring rain and intense sun, lighting rigs must remain perfect, as there is no time between performances to fix things, or replace fixtures, as back to back acts are the governing setup of any festival.
To add on, festivals are often known for creative lighting among the grounds, not necessarily exclusively on the stage for performance. Events such as Ultra Music Festival and Electric Daisy Carnival are famous for their artistic builds which feature LED lights rigged to domes, arches, pyramids, or essentially any structure. Entire campground and performance environments are constructed with lighting rigs, to be placed among festival goers, and inspire an unforgettable summer weekend experience. The festival market is a great way for lighting professionals to expand their horizons, even if it may provide new and unfamiliar difficulties. There are countless creative opportunities for any lighting designer who happens to be stuck in an all too familiar venue, and who needs a new and challenging, high profile project.
Those fortunate enough to attend a festival lit by a passionate and experienced lighting team are able to witness magic as soon as they enter the ground gates, and are sure to have the time of their lives thanks to such a creative, high tech festival experience.
What are some of your most memorable festival lighting experiences, as an attendee or even a designer?
