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It's been six years since WAH Show landed in Madrid, and ever since, it hasn't ceased to amaze us. More than just a show, it's an exciting journey that puts emotion and music at the center of everything. Imagine more than 6 artists giving it their all in three acts: a vibrant Food Hall with global flavors and live performances, a theater where timeless anthems come to life, and an explosive aftershow that will have you dancing until tomorrow. And to make every moment shine brightly, At Stonex we have provided our best professional lighting: Powerful spotlights, dynamic effects, and tons of versatility to make every scene a true visual display.
To discover all the secrets of how this renovation was cooked up, we spoke with Juanjo Beloqui, the lighting manager and show designer. With his experience working on major shows where creativity and technical precision go hand in hand, at WAH he has been key in shaping the visual language that makes every moment of the show shine.
A complete renovation with the best lighting brands on the market
For a show of this nature, fixtures capable of performing at the highest level are needed, adapting to each of the different parts of the show and the venue itself. To achieve this, the brands we distribute (Ayrton, ETC y oxo) were the key to achieving a result that left everyone with their mouths open.
Used material
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- Ayrton: 14 Minipanel, 30 Diablo, 24 Kyalami and 12 Mistral
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- ETC: 41 ColorSource Spot V, 33 Fresnel V and 16 Source Four Zoom
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- oxo: 34 Pixyline, 10 Colorblind and 40 Colorbeam
The advantages of working with Ayrton, ETC, and Oxo were clear from the start. “The trust the brands give me is key,” Juanjo explains. After a year of programming and calibrating their equipment, I knew I could count on Ayrton’s reliability for fast, precise effects, the versatility of ETC’s Zooms to define any scene, and the power of the Pixyline and Oxo's Colorbeam for ambient sweeps. Each fixture responded to a specific need: size, power, and functionality. That's why they opted for 14 Ayrton Minipanels for ambient areas, 41 Colorsource Spot V from ETC for main lighting and 34 Pixylines from Oxo to turn the venue into a color-changing canvas.
The placement of each light fixture provided a clever twist on the show. “Where there were more powerful spots, Diablo and Mistral were placed.”Juanjo comments: Ayrton's 30 Diablo and 12 Mistral luminaires replaced previous fixtures to ensure power and reach on the main stage. In the crowded areas with changing ambiance, Oxo's 40 Colorbeam and 10 Colorblind luminaires replaced old washes, offering instant transitions and immersive color sequences. For the disco and chill-out area, the 14 Minipanel luminaires were the perfect choice thanks to their new features, while the 24 Kyalami luminaires took over from the Sharpy luminaires, providing a significant leap in beam quality and power.
Coordinating so many different pieces of equipment required meticulous programming. “We pre-programmed in my studio with visualizers, cloning fixtures and exploring new effects to make the most of the devices’ capabilities,” says Juanjo. There, he defined color palettes, gobo rhythms, and dynamic sequences, virtually cloning each of the 33 ETC Fresnel Vs and 16 Source Four Zooms. Back in Madrid, after several nights of rehearsal, the synchronization between hardware and content was fine-tuned: timing settings, intensities, and dimming curves so that each fixture fit the pulse of the show.
Challenge and Creativity
The biggest challenge, according to Juanjo, was orchestrating that multitude of fixtures under a single visual language. “Nowadays, shows require a wide variety of effects, ambiances, and sensations, which can only be achieved by combining different fixture families,” he reflects. The key was in proportion: creating atmospheres with the Fresnels and Pixyline bars, reserving “wow” moments with the Diablo and Kyalami lights, and always leaving an ace up the sleeve to surprise. The end result is a well-rounded show, in which each fixture—from the Fresnel V to the Diablo—plays its part and reinforces the energy and magic of WAH Show Madrid.
Ultimately, this project has been a clear example of how the right technology and close collaboration between Stonex staff, the lighting team, and WAH Show production can elevate an already established project to new levels. Thanks to the trust placed in brands such as Ayrton, ETC, and Oxo, and the meticulous pre-programming and rehearsal work, we achieved a production that not only meets the technical challenges but also enhances the emotional narrative of the show. The result is a WAH Show Madrid that is more vibrant and immersive than ever, leaving a lasting impression on the audience and setting a trend in the audiovisual landscape. We can't wait to see what the next production has in store!
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