NEW YORK – Running five kilometers does get the human heart racing. So too does listening to an electrifying performance by EDM star Diplo. Participants in this year’s Nike GO NYC 5K got an adrenalin-boosting dosage of both, as the multi-Grammy winning DJ was there at the Basketball City/Pier 36 finish line to entertain with his unique mix of dance music. Adding some perky visual zest to the performance was a colorful fast-moving lightshow featuring 20 CHAUVET Professional Maverick MK Pyxis fixtures, supplied by 4Wall Entertainment.
More details from Chauvet (www.chauvetprofessional.com):
Designed by Ben Danielowski and Tanner Simpson of Boum Creative, the show relied on the Pyxis fixtures for a varied mix of eye candy and to create a dramatic ballyhoo moment when Diplo walked on stage. “When everyone finished the 5K they came into Basketball City, all sweaty and looking like they just ran five kilometers,” said Danielowski. “We had a warm-up DJ on stage and things were kind of mellow. Then when Diplo dropped the beat, our programmer Devin dropped the lights to black and waited for the right moment to blast the light. I can tell you that the Pyxis is a very bright fixture!”
The stage for the Diplo show measured 32’ x 24’ with risers in back for scenic elements. Danielowski and Simpson positioned six Maverick MK Pyxis fixtures stage left and an equal number stage right, with an additional six arranged across the upstage deck. The 60W RGBW LED fixtures were also positioned on risers to each side of the DJ stand.
“We ran the Pyxis fixtures in Basic Dual mode with no pixel mapping, as this was our first time using them, and we didn’t really have time to get in and take full advantage of the fixture,” said Danielowski. “We played with the zoom, but during the show we kept the beam pretty tight. Still, I have to say that the looks we got with this fixture even without cutting it loose was pretty amazing. Moving the LED pixels around the rim of the fixture really drew eyeballs to the stage. It’s very engaging.”
In addition to creating eye candy looks, the Maverick MK Pyxis fixtures were used as beams and wash. Drawing on the fixture’s 7°-45° zoom range, Danielowski and Simpson varied the spread of their aerial beams and stage washes to keep their looks fresh and engaging during the four-hour show.
Joining the Maverick MK Pyxis fixtures on the rig were 18 Rogue R1 Wash units. Positioned along the edge of the stage, these fixtures were used to wash the stage’s distinctive scenic elements as well as for aerial washes.
“The R1 Washes did a great job supporting the looks we created with the Pyxis,” said Danielowski. “The Pyxis fixtures are pretty insane, and there is a rabbit hole of features to explore on them. I can’t wait to find time to figure out how to use this fixture to its maximum potential.”
