Since it started in 2015, the Flying Dutch festival has employed a novel method of spreading DJ wealth in The Netherlands. Taking place simultaneously in Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Eindhoven, it shuttles the country’s leading DJs from city to city by helicopter throughout the day, so each location gets to see the entire lineup.
In 2018, the festival added a fourth site to its roster, the island of Curaçao in the Caribbean and the performances included dazzling and colourful visuals that were provided by Dutch Lighting Designer, André Beekmans who used CHAUVET Professional fixtures, supplied by Massive Productions.
Held on a massive 19-metre high stage, were performances by artists like Armin van Buuren, Sunnery James and Ryan Marciano, as well as local stars DJ Menasa and Grammy-nominated Jeon and other well-known DJs.
Beekmans deployed 32 Chauvet Rogue R2 Spot, 16 Rogue R2 Wash and 16 Chauvet Rogue R2 Beam fixtures, along with 16 Chauvet Q-Wash 560Z units and 48 Chauvet DJ COLORband PiX linear lights on the massive festival stage. “The look he created was huge,” said Massive Production’s Jimmy Lo-A-NJoe, who oversaw the project. “We got a lot of very positive comments on how the stage drew people into the performance. It had the Flying Dutch look, so it fits into the theme of the festival, but at the same time we also gave it a local flavour by using the blue, yellow and white colours of the Curaçao flag.”
The 32 Rogue R2 Spot fixtures in the rig were spread out on the downstage deck across the width of the stage to accent its size. From this position, they were used for aerial effects, specials and backlighting the performers. “The Spots had the output needed to fill the stage and emphasize its big looks,” said Lo-A-NJoe. “They filled the stage with light without taking away from the performers.”
What also dominated the stage was a large LED screen used for IMAG images of the performers, commercial messages and breakout patterns. To balance the brightness of the video wall, the Chauvet Rogue R2 beams were positioned around it and near the apex of the stage’s triangular backdrop. “The Beams are extremely bright,” said Lo-A-NJoe. “We had no issue with them showing up against the video wall’s output. We used the Rogue Washes in our rig to change the colour of the whole stage, which created different moods, and we lighted the DJs with them.”
Accenting the impressive stage backdrop were the 48 Chauvet COLORband PiX fixtures in the rig. Arranged in two-layered triangles, the fixtures created a halo effect around the stage, which gave it added depth and created a greater sense of immersion. Colour and output were the features that stood out most about the Rogue and COLORband PiX fixtures for Lo-A-NJoe. “We were really pleased with how the Rogues covered the stage,” he said. “We also loved the eye candy we got from the COLORband PiX fixtures. I was immensely proud seeing the end result.”
Still, the Flying Dutch festival was not without its challenges. “Setup took five days and it was raining all the time,“ said Lo-A-NJoe. “Yet, our lights never failed. In the end, everyone at the festival had a great time.”