Red Fest

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REDFESTDXB

A MAJOR DATE IN THE UAE MUSIC FESTIVAL CALENDAR, REDFESTDXB RETURNS TO THE CITY FOR TWO DAYS OF POPULAR MUSIC AND GROUNDBREAKING PRODUCTION VALUES...

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Marking one of the region’s biggest weekends, 20,000 music enthusiasts flocked to the Dubai Media City Amphitheatre on the 14-15 February to witness the 6th edition of RedFestDXB.

Founded by Done Events in 2013, Virgin Radio RedFestDXB has steadily become one of the UAE’s premier hit music festivals. Officially launched in 2014 with headliners The Lumineers and Jessie J taking to the main stage, the event has now aligned itself as a major player in Dubai’s critically acclaimed music festival portfolio.

Over the last five years, RedFestDXB has also been privy to artists like Demi Lovato, Sean Paul, Mike Posner, The Script, G-Eazy, Bastille, Rita Ora, Kesha, and Fifth Harmony hit the main stage. While DJ sets have included some of the world’s biggest – Marshmello, The Chainsmokers and Steve Aoki.

On stage in 2019, fans were able to see globally recognised artists such as Jonas Blue, G-Eazy and DJ Snake on Thursday, whereas Friday welcomed Camila Cabello, Macklemore, Jax Jones and Lea Makhoul - among many other acclaimed musical acts.

ALL EVENTS SERVICES Ensured with setting the stage was All Events Services, brought into the fold by Done Events and RedFestDXB organisers. Collectively, the company providing the full stage and temporary structure overlay for the entirety of the two-day event. As a focal point of the structure setup for three of the last six RedFestDXB festivals, the company has overseen build requirements change each time as the organisers look to impress each year.

The coverage included a double-tiered central VIP deck with extended balcony on top elevation. Two double-tiered VIP deck wings, two main entrance archways at FOH and scaffold light towers. On the floor and a Mojo Barriers partition separated the Red Pit and Red Fans areas.

AES also covered the festival in providing two mini arches for Red Pit and Red Fans areas, the stepped decks for sponsor concessions, Heras fencing, police barriers as well as perimeter scaffolding and a sheet metal wall.

The AES Main Stage was a beacon of light this year with the setup of over 30 tonnes of

LED screens hanging from the roof. This year, the festival played host to an enormous 41.5m x 1m LED backdrop for the stage’s header, resulting in a radiant and vivid light spectacle.

MEDIAPRO INTERNATIONAL The red glow at dusk from the LEDs on stage made way for the perfect backdrop for MediaPro International. Having worked on the event last year, Jinesh Nair, Director of MediaPro International talked about how this project came about and what it meant to be involved in the annual festival. “We delivered complete technical production for lighting, rigging, trussing and video with cameras. The overall stage and design were also done by MediaPro with the collaboration of Done Event,” he said.

Almost no elements from last year’s production was reused. Nair explained: “The concept and design started all over from scratch with the latest gear and technology. There were no specific goals in mind, just bigger, better and different than last year and also the previous years.”

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On the lighting side, 48 Robe MegaPointes were the unrivalled “workhorse fixture” of the rig as “they are just an amazing hybrid fixture” which complemented 78 Claypaky Sharpys, 22 Claypaky Scenius Profiles and 19 Claypaky B-Eye K20 washes to create “a perfect wash and beam combo” of moving heads lights, according to Nair.

To enhance on-stage looks, 28 Pixarc lighting fixtures along with 19 Molefay 4-Way Blinders were deployed. Nair reflected on the reception of the lighting rig. “Overall the guest performers were extremely happy with our rig and had no real additions as everything they would want was already in the rig, moving floor lights on wheels gave each headliner a bit of a different look and feel, and they were happy with that.”

For control, MediaPro International provided 2 full sized MA Lighting grandMA2s. While the backbone of the system featured the company’s new Luminex AV network and 3 grandMA2 NPUs.

For video, some artists brought their own content and VJs. Nair talked through the media servers which were used to deal with the backend video and why it was the right choice for the

project.

Nair explained: “A mixture of Resolume Arena 6 and WATCHOUT multi-screen and mapping software, media servers were utilised at the back end. We also had 3 x Ascenders 48PL (4K) at the front end as we used a 4K canvas for all content to enrich the overall experience. It made for a good system without any flaws. All the controls was provided by MediaPro International”

MediaPro International specified two types of LED reaching 500sqm - which consisted of 8.33 Glowshine Outdoor screens, complimented by a curved 4.8 Absen outdoor LED screens. “It was so bright that we had to dim down to 30% for show,” Nair commented.

With expertise in the pre-production stages of the event, the MediaPro International team faced no challenges during the technical build. However, its biggest obstacle was always “time and weather”, as Nair furthered: “We had major wind gusts while onsite, so we had to ensure that everything was safe and braced correctly to ensure the safety of our crew, artists and the audience.”

Nair reflected: “It was a great event bringing ages from old to young together for one big celebration, making sure that the worlds know that Dubai, Done Events and MediaPro knows how to put on a world class production which everyone can enjoy. The result speaks for itself.”

STAGE FX & LASER FX To enhance the crowd’s excitement, Stage FX supplied an impressive line-up of special effects equipment fit for the sixth edition of RedFestDXB.

The SFX package contained flames, CO 2 jets, pyro, sparkular singles and triples, which in combination were used to create a stunning visual spectacle for festival-goers to enjoy.

For festival equipment, Stage FX supplied Galaxis G-Flames, CO 2

Jets and Sparkulars.

DJ Snake’s pyro was specified as per their rider, with some colour variations. Additional coverage came in the shape of CO 2 jets and

G-Flames.

Jax Jones’ pyro featured comets with some colour variations - while Mackelmore’s set included a waterfall with comets as substitute

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to air bursts. Extras featured a Squall CO 2 T-Shirt

Cannon. Macklemore’s extras included an extra allowance for flames. Whereas Camila Cabello’s extras included Ultratec Low Smoke Generator.

Working alongside Stage FX, was Laser FX that supplied a Pangolin Laser Controller, 30w RYGB Phaenon Lasers, MDG M3e Fog Machine & Fan, RGB OPS Lasers.

Laser FX’s fixtures were controlled from a custom controller running Pangolin Beyond 4.0. Meanwhile, for Stage FX control, the team used a ChamSys MagicQ MQ80 desk. Oliver Yates, Head of Lasers at Laser FX met with each artist’s LD and VJ to set looks and cues. Having worked with DJ Snake’s crew on several occasions he already knew DJ Snake’s laser looks.

Despite the successful outing, both departments had to overcome major challenges in the build of the show. Arran Hopkins, Managing Director, Laser FX stated: “As the design was already full of LED and lighting, it was a challenge to place lasers creatively where we wanted especially around the automated trussing.”

Two members from both Laser FX and Stage FX crew members were deployed to the Media City Amphitheatre in Dubai. Its usual high standards regarding health and safety maintained by all of its staff in operating the equipment to fulfil all the safety requirements.

Arran Hopkins, Stage FX General Manager, concluded: “We supplied a wide variety of SFX which was complemented perfectly by our lasers. Our special effects played an integral part in amplifying the thrill of the audience’s experience. It’s always a pleasure working with Done Events and we are immensely proud to be a part of their phenomenal show.”

BYRNE EQUIPMENT RENTAL Providing a mix of mechanical and nonmechanical equipment along with support services was Byrne Equipment Rental. This included; cabins, green rooms, police/CD/ security, box offices and token booths. On site offices, canteen, ablutions were also covered all the way down to lighting towers and picnic benches.

Having been on site at the Amphitheatre in Media City from the beginning of the 2018 events season, Byrne had to reposition production offices, bars and ticket booths to cater for RedFestDXB organisers’ layout requirements.

Additionally, from a safety aspect, the team also replaced its Heras fencing perimeter with structural walls to reduce any security issues. As the VIP structure, toilets, fast food outlets and water/waste tanks were not part of the initial set up, the grandstand was already built allowing for the crew to bring a 100 tonne crane to site to

install the units required. Marko Mitrovic, Byrne Events Manager UAE and KSA stated: “Byrne was involved in the preplanning meetings and the site design it meant a smooth installation and setup while also liaising with the relevant authorities for application and issuance of any transport permits required and work in accordance with any road restrictions.”

Byrne have been providing equipment to RedFestDXB for a number of years now, and with that came an understanding of the client needs and requirements, as Mitrovic described: “We work hard to maintain expectations regarding budget and delivery schedules,” he continued: “RedFest has grown from strength to strength over the years. The festivals target audience is young adults, giving Dubai the fresh, dynamic and community feel.”

Another well executed Project, still keeping Dubai on the events industry map. Mitrovic had the last word: “It is always a pleasure to work with Done Events and we look forward to next year.” Photos: Virgin Radio RedFestDXB and Done Events. www.redfestdxb.com www.doneevents.com www.aes.ae www.mediapro-av.com www.stagefx.ae www.laserfx.ae www.byrnerental.com

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