How to Set Concert Stage Lights

Concert lighting requires smart preparation.

Lights provide visual ambiance to stage concerts -- and the lighting tech has the ability to control what the audience sees. Lighting for a medium-size concert requires the same choices that technicians make when preparing for a huge stadium concert for the Rolling Stones. Planning your layout goes a long way in helping the crew to set up your concert.

Things You'll Need

• Stage lights
• light control board

Instructions

1. Acquire the proper concert lighting equipment. Illuminating the people and props during the concert is the goal. The best floodlights or spotlights are high-density discharge lamps, according to IEEE.org. Mechanical dousers or shutters are attached when a dimming effect is needed. You'll also need controls to assure the lights connect properly to the lighting board.

2. Visit the venue and find everything you need onstage as well as backstage. Rigging equipment, electrical outlets -- any supplies you need to make illuminating the stage go smoother. Venues invest time and money in the turnout and your success also means theirs. Ask for help. If you need them to supply equipment that improves the concert, chances are they can either borrow it or supply it themselves.

3. Design your lighting plan for the concert. Detail the number of lights needed, where the electrical outlets are located and draw a schematic of the stage, setting each one where it provides the necessary illumination effect you want. Number each light on the schematic then mark each of your coordinating physical lights with the matching number using white nail polish in an inconspicuous place. This makes the actual placement of each one a simple matter of matching the number of each fixture to the number on the schematic for proper placement.

4. Properly rig each light and tape down cords and wire them to dimmers. Attach a safety cable or chain to protect the onstage crew as well as the performers. Support the fixtures with a "U" shaped yoke, also called a trunion arm affixed to the sides of the lights.

5. Focus each light individually. Carefully position and focus each one where it bathes the concert and performers in the best light. A warm light source 45 degrees to the left and 45 degrees above the performer coupled with a cool light source 45 degrees to the right and 45 degrees above the performer offers the most flattering illumination, according to Dr. R. Iacobucci, author of Stage Lighting Basics.

6. Communicate with the lighting board operator on duty for the concert. Discuss the layout with the operator if you won't be working the night of the concert. Simply sharing a copy of your schematic or mentioning where the electrical outlets are located may save that individual unexpected headaches on opening night.

References

• On Stage Lighting; Band Stage Lighting;
• Roctronics; Stage Lighting Basics
• IEEE Xplore; Electronic Power Supplys for high-density discharge lamps; October 2000

Resources

• "Concert Lighting"; James L. Moody; 1997
• "Performance Lighting Design"; Nick Moran: 2007