Disco & Lighting Effects

Discos and dance clubs make huge investments to feature the latest lighting and special effects. Club-goers flock to discos not only for the music, but to experience the elements of fun, excitement and atmosphere that disco lighting brings.

Function

Disco lighting serves as an added attraction and enhancement to dance music. Popular discos are known for their particular effects, and use them as marketing and advertising tools to draw new customers.

History

Disco lighting effects began in the 1920s, during the "dance hall days." Electric lighting was new at the time, and club owners made the best use of it by installing colored filters to create intimate and exciting moods.

Development

With the growing popularity of rock concerts in the 1960s and 1970s, lighting companies began experimenting with new lighting effects and techniques. As disco music became the dominant musical form, the industry blossomed; creating lighting effects to excite dancers and club-goers, and enhance the nightlife experience.

Types

Numerous types of lighting and effects are in use today, including strobes, color washes, spot lights, moving scanners, lasers and projectors. Other popular effects are mirror balls, fog machines, foamers, bubble makers and confetti shooters.

Future

Disco lighting and effects of the future will feature improvements in recently developed LED bulbs and intelligent moving light fixtures. Lighting manufacturers are also working on 3D holographic projectors and safer, more advanced laser systems.

References

• Absolute Astronomy
• Solar Navigator
• The Academy Nightclub

Resources

• Live Design Online
• Phantom Dynamics