Light Show Kicks Off World Cup

Over 100 i-Pix Satellite and BB4 LED lighting fixtures were used for the FIFA World Cup Kick-Off Celebration Concert at Orlando Stadium in Soweto, Johannesburg earlier this month.
As the soccer tournament races towards its climax next month, it has been revealed that Gearhouse South Africa, technical provider for the whole event, and part of a scheme designed by LD Patrick Woodroffe supplied the mega-number of fixtures.
Executive-produced by Control Room, the leading producer of massive global music events, the concert was enjoyed by 30,000 people who packed into the stadium, as well as the tens of millions of fans watching around the world via the global broadcasts.
The line up of international artists included Alicia Keys, BLK JKS, John Legend, Juanes, Shakira, The Black Eyed Peas, Vusi Mahlasela, and many more.
The BB4 and Satellite fixtures are part of Gearhouse's stock - the company has invested steadily in the leading entertainment sector LED brand over the last four years.
A total of 60 i-Pix BB4 wash lights were incorporated into the show, 32 hung on the over-stage trusses and used to help illuminate the set - a series of 154 hexagonal shaped printed shields which clad the inside three walls of the stage/roof in the shape of the South African flag. These were an integral part of the distinctive design by Ray Winkler of Stufish.
The other 28 units were placed along the front of the stage and used for up lighting two large side stage scrims between the edge of the stage and the outside LED IMAG screens.
The BB4 was the first of i-Pix' new generation of BB Series fixtures. It is eco-friendly, resembles a four light blinder in appearance and is renowned for its extremely smooth homogenised lightsource and the absence of LED shadows or pixellation.
It also has a wide range of colours including an extensive array of pastels - and was one of the first LED fixtures to offer excellent subtler colours. Like all i-Pix products, it is robustly built, well engineered and designed to tour.
Fourteen of the Satellites were rigged in the trussing and used for toning the metalwork, along with some secondary set washing. The remaining 36 were positioned along the front of the stage pointing outwards towards the audience, where they made great camera candy for the wide and medium-wide shots and sweeps.
The Satellite was i-Pix original product. Gearhouse was one of the first companies to buy these fixtures soon after their launch in 2006, and now has about 120 that have been constantly in action on numerous shows ever since.
The small size, high brightness and expedient power consumption of the Satellite make it ideal for set washing and ensconcing into all sorts of tight and awkward spaces.
The i-Pix Satellites and BB4s for the Kick Off Concert were controlled via a grandMA lighting console - programmed by Tim Routledge - which was running all the show's stage lighting.
The show's technical director was Jim Baggott and it was executive-produced by Kevin Wall for LA-based Control Room.
(BMcC/GK)