Clay Paky at the Eurovision Song Contest in Germany

Clay Paky provided more than 300 automated luminaires at the 56th Eurovision Song Contest, held in Düsseldorf, Germany on May 10, 12 and 14.

This year saw the largest live audience in attendance in Eurovision history at 36,000 strong and an estimated 200 million television and Internet viewers, making it the largest music television program in the world. This year also tied the record for most participating countries - 43 - and seeing the return of Italy to the contest after a 14-year hiatus. In terms of lighting equipment, this year had the heaviest roof load and the highest number of lighting fixtures in the show's history with over 5,600 total.

Lighting designer Jerry Appelt, known for large-scale events in music, TV, industry, art, and architecture, included over 2,100 moving lights for the massive Düsseldorf Arena, of which over 300 were Clay Paky fixtures used primarily for the stage area. No stranger to big effects, Appelt created a completely new design for all 43 songs, plus three interval acts and an opening to the final. The rig extended to every square meter of the arena and was carefully chosen by Appelt in order to handle the wide assortment of looks needed.

A moving truss structure, consisting of three graduated rings of 33', 52.5' and 98.5 diameter, was centered approximately 65.5' above the stage. The rings held 35 Clay Paky Alpha Wash 1500, 16 Alpha Beam 1500, and eight Alpha Profile 1500 fixtures, creating a sea of bright beams to the stage below.

Twenty-six moving truss sections were arranged like spokes from the centre rings. These truss sections held an additional 28 Alpha Wash 1500 and 36 Alpha Beam 1500 with four shorter truss sections holding 24 Alpha Spot 700 HPE fixtures. At floor level, both behind the stage and on each side were 24 Alpha Beam 1500 fixtures. Twenty-five Clay Paky Sharpy fixtures were placed on the floor surrounding the front of the stage, specified for only one song -- sung by Lena, last year's winner.

Additional truss spanning the ceiling from the rings to the perimeter of the arena held 35 Alpha Profile 1500 and 42 Alpha Spot 1500 HPE fixtures. Finally, the top perimeter of the arena was home to an additional 50 Alpha Spot 1500 HPE fixtures.

Appelt explained, "The design included a variety of Clay Paky fixtures that could combine to create so many fantastic looks. And I know the color will match perfectly. They put out brilliant light, they're fast and incredibly reliable."

"I particularly like the [Alpha Spot 1500] HPE because it does so many things so well. I love the Sharpy too, although those were specified for one song only - Germany. I wanted a very special look for Lena. And of course the Alpha Beam 1500s are great too. I put them on the floor around the stage and they put out some powerful effects. The arena was huge and it was needed. I'd be very happy to have an all Clay Paky rig."

Cape Cross, of Köln, Germany provided all lighting and rigging for the show, sending 90 trailer trucks, each with 40 tons of equipment. Thomas Brügge, managing director of Cape Cross said of the Clay Paky fixtures, "They're quite amazing - the light is brilliant and they're so fast. But very important to us is the reliability. The maintenance is fantastic."

Concert and stage producer Ola Melzig worked closely with the delegations and artists during initial preparations and rehearsals for the show. Melzig said, "The feedback regarding the lighting was consistently one of amazement - everyone was extremely happy with Jerry's work and the brightness and quality of the lighting. They were also pleased with the unique look of each song. No one wants to look like the next. I personally think the Clay Paky lights were a fantastic choice and the crew was really happy with the low maintenance."

Lighting control came from four grandMA2 full size consoles running on time code, each with full back up. four custom-built Cape Cross Media PCs ran the grandMA 3D system for previsualization.

Appelt, Melzig, and Cape Cross were brought in by Brainpool, led by producer Jörg Grabosch. Brainpool was hired by host broadcaster NDR to handle the creative production of this year's Eurovision including staging, lighting, pyro, hosts, viewing room, technical crew, etc.

"This was one of the smoothest Eurovision productions I've experienced," said Melzig, "and it was the biggest. Every aspect of the show was chosen and executed to its fullest potential and it showed."

After all the votes were tallied, Azerbaijan was crowned champion with the song "Running Scared", which means Eurovision will be held in Baku, Azerbaijan in 2012. We'll see what surprises next year will bring.