VISUAL SPECTACULARS
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All images: © Press Association/Andre Pattenden/Cris Matthews/Boss
Lighting the way Lighting, drones, lasers, fireworks, and special effects are used by organisers to create memorable “wow” moments. Read on, as StandOut shines a light on the visually spectacular events being produced Light Festival returned to B ristol the city on February 2. The fourth
iteration of the annual event ran for 10 days and saw thousands of visitors interact with and immerse themselves in 10 spellbinding light installations. Founded by Bristol City Centre Business Improvement District (BID), the event featured everything from a life-sized projection of an astronaut drifting through a cosmos to a series of colossal inflatable illuminated arches. SC Productions provided Bristol BID with site management and production expertise and Redwood Event Solutions provided preevent safety planning and event control and safety services during the festival’s muchanticipated 10-day run. Since its inception, the festival has attracted thousands of visitors (250,000 in 2023) and welcomed an additional £3.3 million increase in spend. As the installations have got bigger and bolder, so has the event’s reputation and as a result, the event does change the make-up and
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demographic of the city centre between 5pm and 10pm. But it can only be expected as once-familiar locations and buildings are visually enhanced and transformed into spectacular sights to behold.
GAME-CHANGERS
Light festivals are certainly growing in popularity, as local authorities and BIDs realise that there is an appetite for visually spectacular events that engage the senses. In January, Battersea Power Station launched its first free light trail and this March, a new light festival called Beam – organised by Harrogate International Festivals – will illuminate the historic town for two nights. Such events are in total contrast to the National Basketball Association’s (NBA) latest “visually spectacular” development. In February, it revealed details of a stateof-the-art LED floor, the first full video court to be installed for an NBA All-Star basketball game. Developed by ASB GlassFloor, the LED court was installed at Lucas Oil
Stadium, giving fans at the arena a “gamechanging” experience. The digital court displayed customised court designs tailored to each event as well as fully interactive game moments and player statistics. During the same week, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium called on fans to take part in its first mobile phone light show ahead of Tottenham’s Premier League clash against Brentford. Fans heeded the call to get involved and used the official Spurs App to take part in a “pre-match spectacle” by hitting “Light Up” on their phones. Subsequently, their phones synced to the music played in the stadium and the light show engaged supporters who relished the opportunity to be part of the pre-match atmosphere.
MEMORABLE MOMENTS
Both examples are demonstrative of how sport is leading the field in engagement, using lighting and LED to connect with loyal fans and customers who want memorable event experiences.
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