Broadcast live on Austrian national TV channel ORF, the final 2015 edition of the
“Starnacht’ series of festival style outdoor pop concerts took place at the
charismatic Dűrnstein castle ruins in the stunning Wachau valley, cut through by the
legendary River Danube.

Produced by IP Media, lighting for the show was designed and programmed by Chris
Moylan of Berlin based Optikalusion, and featured 31 x Robe BMFL Spots – the first
time these had been used on a Starnacht concert.

The Wachau show was the final of three site-specific based events in summer /
autumn 2015 showcasing the best of current Austrian, German and Swiss pop talent
which this year featured chart-busting Thomas Anders (singer of mega successful
pop duo Modern Talking); 2014 Eurovision winner Conchita Wurst; the Radio Doria
band; ex Kelly Family star Maite Kelly and singer-songwriter Johannes Oerding. The
show was presented by Alfons Haider and Barbara Schoneberger.

A full stage and roof system – 30 metres wide by 14 deep and with 13 metres of
headroom – was installed for the show, supplied together with all the lighting kit by
Droneberger Showtechnik from Klagenfurt am Worthersee. The broadcast featured
22 songs from 14 different artists, some with full band set ups and others singing
live vocals to track, all requiring rapid changeovers.

With that many songs in a short space of time, “variety’ was a key to making the
show look interesting, and this was one of the reasons Chris chose Robe’s BMFL
Spots – for the “multi-functional’ aspects of the product.

He had used BMFLs before on music festivals during the summer and thought they
would be ideal for this.

The stage was divided into two rounded levels separated with mesh surfaces and 60
Sunstrips, and the curved roof-space allowed them to install some staggered curved
trusses in the air, all of which enhanced the depth and dynamics of the space. A
diagonal runway / thrust at the front going out into the audience area facilitated
some great camera shots of the artists with the Dűrnstein ruins as a highly
atmospheric background.

Eight BMFLs were positioned on the floor for high-impact looks into the cameras,
with 15 in the air and one used as a rear follow spot.

Seven fixtures were positioned so they could illuminate the complete opposite side
of the banks along the river as well as the Dűrnstein Castle to the rear. Even though
Chris had a good idea of the BMFL’s capabilities, when he saw how well they
achieved everything he wanted on this site, he was delighted with the results.
His favourite functions on the BMFLs at the moment are the high output, the array
of colours, the overall speed of the fixture and the EMS stabilisation.

It’s actually the third Starnacht concert to be staged by ORF in this stunning location
which creates an impressive and iconic backdrop to a popular show. This was
another reason why the entire location – not just the stage – had to be lit for the
cameras, all of which shaped the design.

“It was great to work with BMFLs, they really enabled us to create some new,
different and exciting looks,’ says Chris, saying that, as always with Starnacht gigs,
he enjoys the family atmosphere, the camaraderie and the beautiful countryside
along with the buzz and challenges of lighting the show.