Since the pandemic we have been seeking out new and novel experiences, this, together with emerging technologies has led to a growth in light-based experiential events.
Many cities now run annual light festivals and many historic and heritage venues are looking to attract new visitors with events where lighting is central to animating traditional environments.
Emerging technology in lighting is making it possible to entice a broader customer base and maximise new income streams for places and spaces where keeping the lights on has become challenging with rising cost pressures.
Curating light with nature
Lighting technology company SLX (which has been an official light partner to the Paris Olympics and Paralympics this summer), has seen a rise in requests from heritage locations looking to attract the public year-round with lighting-based events.
The RHS (Royal Horticultural Society) with SLX will bring to life natural environments as part of its RHS Glow winter events series at five locations across the UK in November and December designed to attract the public during the darker months.
This year, SLX is pushing the boundaries of production to create interactive installations and immersive lighting features.
Drone light shows are the new fireworks
Yuup, the online experience company has been partnering with drone light show experts, Celestial, the company behind this year’s Glastonbury drone light show.
Yuup and Celestial work together to bring state-of-the-art drone light technology to the skies of the UK with its story-based Evolution show, providing a new form of live entertainment and an alternative to fireworks. So far, the shows have been viewed by 60,000 people across the UK, with new shows across five cities planned between September 2024 – January 2025.
Drone light shows have been used for branding in recent years. However, Evolution is pioneering the use of drones for live entertainment by lighting up the skies to create a visual spectacle for all ages.
Author: Adam Parry
Adam is the co-founder and editor of www.eventindustrynews.com Adam, a technology evangelist also organises Event Tech Live, Europe’s only show dedicated to event technology and the Event Technology Awards. Both events take place in November, London.
