Over 100 Robe moving lights were in action at the 2007 Melbourne Parklife event - one of Australia's highest profile and most popular dance parties, produced by Future Entertainment. Site wide lighting was designed by Andy Mutton, and all the lighting kit was supplied by Clifton Productions.

The sold out event was attended by 20,000 dance and electronica enthusiasts who grooved the day and night away to an impressive line up of international artists like Digitalism, Shapeshifter, Justice, Scratch Perverts, Riot In Belgium M.I.A. and many, many more, appearing across 4 stages - Earth, Wind, Fire and Water.

Mutton's primary challenge was in making the lighting as flexible and dynamic as possible across all performance areas, so each operator had enough options for all the acts to have their own unique light-show. They also had to accommodate several visiting LDs.

Hot Air

The largest tent on site was Air, which Mutton himself operated using a GrandMA console. Two long audience trusses ran down each side of the tent and the stage featured 4 over-stage trusses with two curved trusses rigged on to the front, along with four vertical sections onstage.

30 Robe ColorSpot and ColorWash 1200E ATs were distributed across the audience trusses and over the stage, along with 12 ColorSpot 575E ATs on the curved trusses. There were more CW & CS 1200E ATs over the stage, plus 6 on the floor, which proved very popular for blasting through from the back for the live acts. "It was a question of making big statements in a large space" explained Mutton, "And I had plenty of scope to do that with the Robes."

Visuals on this stage included a Masstechnik LED wall, with content supplied and operated by Olav Meyer. Other lighting fixtures included PixelLine battens, LED PARs, strobes and profiles.

Walking on Water

Up on the main hill of the undulating Birrarung Marr city centre site, Parklife's Water stage also featured plenty of live acts along with several visiting LDs, some of whom sent in specs to Clifton's beforehand. Where possible, the rig here incorporated their requests, whilst also providing a good selection of general stage cover and looks. For moving lights, they utilised 18 ColorWash 1200E ATs, 12 ColorSpot 575E ATs and 7 ColorSpot 1200E ATs.

The fixtures were rigged onto ‘S' shaped trusses, suspended over the stage's ground support structure (echoing a water theme), and onto two audience trusses that protruded from the stage and were suspended on the tent king poles. Lighting was operated by Justin Ogge using a Hog iPC.

Fired Up

The Fire stage was looked after by John Stanley running an E:cue control system. It was the smallest in terms of kit - with 4 Robe ColorWash 1200E ATs and twelve 1200 Washes and four profile spots, but it certainly rocked aesthetically.

Stanley is a big Robe fan, and has used the fixtures on numerous shows and for many installations for some time. He says, "Robe fixtures are the fastest on the market for colour flicks and other effects, which makes them ideal for dance events like Parklife where the shows need plenty of operational ‘busking'. He also likes the punch and intensity of the 1200.

Earth moving

The Earth stage, featured the stunning ‘natural' skyscraper clad backdrop of downtown Melbourne's financial district, with Stuart Campbell running the light-show on a Hog PC with a wing.

Twelve Robe ColorWash 1200E ATs and 8 ColorSpot 1200E ATs were hung on the front and side trusses and floor.

The stage was rounded in shape, complete with two circular trusses hung with plasma screens wrapping the rear. They also had some profile spots and strobes, but the Robes were relied on for all the main effects.

Mutton has specified and used Robe many times in the last couple of years. He says "They are sturdy lights and great for hanging at different angles". He also likes the colour and gobo wheel options. His work spans film, TV and touring as well as dance parties, and also recently designed Godskitchen at Melbourne's Rod Laver Arena, which was also supplied by Cliftons.

This was the first time he has used Robe's new ColorSpot 2500E ATs.

Clifton's has the largest inventory of Robe rental stock in Australia, all of which has been supplied by Robe Lighting's Australian distributor ULA.