MEROL kicks off festival season at Paaspop with Stage-Mate and the Ayrton MagicDot Neo

Paaspop traditionally marks the start of the Dutch festival season. And what better way to celebrate the opening than with MEROL’s high-energy show? The young and ambitious team at Stage-Mate was responsible for the lighting design and brought a set of Ayrton MagicDot Neo fixtures for the new tour. We spoke with lighting designer Wout Panis about his vision and his choice of Ayrton.

Making an impact with live art

Since 2017, the Stage-Mate team has been creating live experiences for a wide audience—from lighting and set designs for artists to full technical production for theatre companies and festivals. The common thread in their work? Creating unforgettable experiences and making an impact through live art.

For MEROL’s 1.5-hour show, this presented an exciting challenge: how do you keep the lighting design surprising and dynamic from the very first minute to the final beat?

Compact size, maximum impact

As a distributor of Ayrton, we are always pleased to see the fixtures in action with creative designers. Wout Panis chose the Ayrton MagicDot Neo and is enthusiastic about its performance on stage:

“I have to say, they work extremely well! I ultimately chose the MagicDot Neos mainly because of their strong light output in such a compact format. Combined with the extra dimensions these fixtures offer—like the eye-catching LED ring effect and the endless pan/tilt – they continue to surprise throughout a 1.5-hour show.”
– Wout Panis

Exactly what the MagicDot Neo was designed for. Its compact design keeps sightlines clear on stage, while its powerful beam and striking LED ring give designers like Wout the freedom to continuously create new looks.

It’s great to see how Stage-Mate’s creative vision and Ayrton’s technology come together in a truly unique show.

Credits:
Text: Courtesy of Ampco Flashlight
Lighting design: Wout Panis (Stage-Mate)
Artist: MEROL
Event: Paaspop
Equipment: Ayrton MagicDot Neo
Photography: Claudia Guldentops & Alex Sinke

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