From October 22–24, Dutch DJ Martin Garrix made his long-awaited debut at the legendary Red Rocks Amphitheatre, delivering one of the most memorable EDM moments of the year. Renowned for its dramatic landscape and natural acoustics, Red Rocks is a technically challenging open-air venue, where every design decision carefully responds to scale, terrain, and sightlines.

Designing for Nature and Scale

Creative Show and Tour Director Gabe Fraboni approached the challenge with clarity. The stage embraced a sleek, industrial aesthetic, featuring a clean, truss-free design. At the center stood a 45° angled Plus-shaped structure, oriented to face straight out toward the audience. This geometry ensured consistent visual alignment across Red Rocks’ massive amphitheater, maintaining impact even for fans seated at the highest elevations—a critical consideration in such a vertically expansive venue.

We were honored to support the show with TORNADO effect lights and PIXEL LINE IP strobe lights, helping bring the full-force visual experience to life. Martin Garrix’s high-energy performance synchronized flawlessly with lighting and stage visuals, transforming the show into an immersive audiovisual spectacle.

TORNADO: Kinetic Energy and Depth

Surrounding the Plus structure, the TORNADO became a key driver of motion and intensity. Positioned in three layered rows on both sides of the structure, the fixtures delivered razor-sharp beams, saturated colors, and fluid motion, injecting electronic energy into every musical peak.

Initially perceived by Gabe as a “gimmick-style” effect light, the TORNADO quickly proved its value. After using it on previous Pretty Lights shows, he was genuinely impressed by its output and operation, making it a ideal choice for the high-impact demands of Garrix’s Red Rocks debut.

PIXEL LINE IP: A New Visual Language for the Plus

Integrated directly around the Plus structure, the PIXEL LINE IP transformed the stage into a living, responsive visual system. Through pixel mapping, intense strobe hits, and dynamic color chases, the iconic symbol became a narrative element rather than a static backdrop.

During the show’s intro, the Plus appeared to slowly “grow,” an effect created entirely by the PIXEL LINE IP. For Gabe Fraboni, it was a visual moment he had envisioned for years but had never been able to realize until now. At song-ending hits, the structure snapped to white, with the PIXEL LINE IP breaking the repetition of traditional stabs and seamlessly integrating with video content to deliver fresh, impactful visual accents each time. Reflecting on the design, Gabe described the PIXEL LINE IP as his new favorite element, unlocking new creative possibilities.

A Living Visual Centerpiece at Red Rocks

Despite tight timelines, the scale of production, and demanding technical requirements, the final design was a success. The Plus structure became a living visual centerpiece, responding to music and light—showcasing how thoughtful design and optimal fixtures can elevate a performance.

At Red Rocks, sound, light, and landscape merged into an immersive experience. For ACME Lighting, the show exemplified our ongoing commitment to empowering designers with cutting-edge lighting solutions, helping transform ambitious ideas into unforgettable live moments.

Special Thanks to:

Lighting Vendor: Brown Note Productions

Creative Show and Tour Director: Gabe Fraboni, PHNTM

Co-Production Designer: Romain Pissenem, High Scream

Photo Credits: Brown Note Productions, Brandon Johnson

Learn More from PLSN: https://plsn.com/articles/showtime/martin-garrix-at-red-rocks/

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