Jerry Appelt created Wacken lighting architecture with weatherproof moving lights for the Wacken Open Air.
Days of constant rain had so softened the “Holy Ground” of the festival site that a travel stop had to be imposed for the first time in the festival’s history. Appelt, who has been associated with the massive metal festival for 20 years, has also experienced a lot in Wacken. “I am emotionally attached to the festival,” he said, adding, “It was remarkable how the organisers dealt with the very difficult situation this year.”
Elation‘s Proteus series of weatherproof lights showed its advantages under the weather conditions with 72 Proteus Maximus and 48 Proteus Excalibur an integral part of the lighting design.
Technically, Jerry, who designed the lighting for the two main stages, relied on a mix of new and tried-and-tested for WOA 2023. “Visitors should know at first glance that they are at Wacken. The look and feel of the festival must of course be continued from year to year. This is a very clear wish of the organisers,” explained Jerry.
“For Wacken we always create an overall lighting architecture that works across the entire square,” the designer continued. “That’s why we still use the good old searchlights here, which you can see from the motorway 15 kilometers away. The Excalibur is my first choice for close and medium-range open-air events because it delivers a convincing beam structure. Nothing frays and the fixture makes a really nice imprint.”
Jerry anchored the audience lighting using the Proteus Maximus, “The festival shows on the main stages are now almost entirely broadcast via livestream,” he explained. “It is therefore important that you see the audience as a whole in the broadcast and not film it into a black hole. After all, Wacken is not only about the music but also about togetherness and the very special festival spirit that is created by the people.”
Alongside Jerry Appelt, Matthias Rau, Manfred Nikitser, Ole Güllich and Emmanuel Jörgner also waded through the sacred mud of Wacken 2023. Jonas Horney from Salty Dog Studios Hamburg handled lighting preprogramming, ensuring a transition from the virtual to the real world on site.
