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pre-programmed content and live visuals smoothly all weekend – all while drawing minimal power from 100% renewable sources. Reflecting on the project, Cyrus Bozorgmehr, Arcadia’s head of creative communications, shared, “It was great to have a rock-solid media server set-up at FOH, running dual 4K NDI feeds with alpha channels and delivering content smoothly and consistently every night. The lightweight equipment meant it could be installed quickly with a minimal footprint, avoiding the usual load-out and truck logistics you’d expect with traditional server stacks. “The Hive system ran content seamlessly to our eight double-stacked projectors, keeping everything precisely mapped and aligned within a busy 360° environment. It also powered our custom transparent LED video screen, which was made of over 200 tessellating hexagon panels and formed the head of the Dragonfly, encapsulating the DJ booth. Dave Green and sales director Nigel Sadler from Hive were both great to work with, and it was a pleasure to have them on board.” OFFLIMITS Described as the UAE’s first open-format music festival – in other words, featuring multiple genres of music – Offlimits took place on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi in April, at Etihad Park. Technical production across the four purpose-built stages – which featured performances from international artists, including Ed Sheeran, One Republic and Kaiser Chiefs – was managed by regional event technology company SLS Production, which was responsible for delivering audio, video and lighting. One of the most striking features was found on the Meteor stage, where a 910 sq m LED wall was constructed using Infiled GX4.6 outdoor panels. SLS specified the Infiled panels because of their high brightness, fine pixel pitch (4.63mm) and robust performance capabilities in outdoor conditions. The panels were configured into a custom, curved layout using specially engineered mounting panels, yielding a bold panoramic display that wrapped around the stage. Shafeeq Bin Shereef, SLS’s senior video engineer for the event, commented: “The tilted LED design required an elevated installation process using boom lifts, which was both time-consuming and logistically complex. Additionally, the signal and patching of the extensive LED system took longer than expected.” Despite this, long hours from the SLS team ensured that the installation was still completed on time. They also had crucial remote support from Infiled during set-up, including help to quickly resolve a technical issue with configuration files. “The collaboration with the Infiled team was excellent,” said Bin Shereef. “They responded swiftly, provided remote and technical
Illusions and content creators Astral Projekt – pushed the boundaries of projection mapping and LED playback. The Dragonfly, built from a decommissioned Sea King helicopter, provided a wildly unique projection surface. With its irregular curves, jutting features and compact frame, traditional video mapping techniques were challenged from the get-go. Add to that glowing LED eyes and a dynamically lit face, and the need to have precise synchronisation between the projection, lighting and real-time visuals became decidedly non-negotiable. Replacing a bulkier, rack-mounted system, Hive introduced a lightweight, energy-efficient and cost-effective solution: six Beeblade Nexus units housed in three rugged Nucleus enclosures. These were installed across projection towers on either side of the Dragonfly, as well as inside its head. Commenting on the system upgrade, Hive’s CTO Dave Green explained that, “With Hive, we were able to replace an energy-hungry server stack with more compact players that delivered the same – if not more – capability, using far less power and at around a fifth of the cost.” This lean approach aligned perfectly with Arcadia’s strong commitment to sustainability. The Dragonfly runs entirely on renewable energy, provided by Grid Faeries – which makes Hive’s low-power platform an ideal match for a large-scale, eco-conscious festival installation. Each Nexus board handled dual 4K NDI inputs with alpha channels, allowing for complex layering and transparent visual effects. This was a crucial element for blending real-time feeds – crafted in Unity and Touch Designer by Astral Projekt – with a ten-minute, time-coded, pre-rendered show sequence: the Arcadia Dragonfly Show . The team used a mix of advanced techniques to bring the design to life. This included the Obj Map tool, precisely mapping content onto the hexagonal LED eyes using UV-mapped geometry files created in Blender, which helped achieve spherical accuracy. The Warp Grid tool enabled real-time warping and projection mapping across the helicopter’s fuselage and tail, while Pixel Map Page, a new feature, was used to control Art-Net LED fixtures and light up the Dragonfly’s face. Timecode Support also provided rock-solid playback of the Dragonfly’s full ten-minute programmed sequence, keeping the LED and projection visuals perfectly in sync. The Obj Map tool seamlessly mapped content across more than 200 individual LED panels in total, that made up the Dragonfly’s curved eyes. It’s a level of precision that’s typically reserved for big-budget media systems, but Hive’s intuitive, user-friendly platform brought that power within reach. From the outset, Hive collaborated closely both with Arcadia’s technical production team and long-time partners Cucumber Productions and Video Illusions. The whole system ran
assistance and helped us to resolve the issue without having affected the show timeline. Their panels performed reliably and their technical backing added great value to the success of the Meteor stage.” Explaining the suitability of the Infiled panels for this kind of live event, Samer Otaibi, VP of sales Middle East at Infiled, told LIVE : “First and foremost, their high brightness and contrast ratios ensure excellent visibility even in challenging lighting conditions. The panels also feature robust construction and weather- resistant capabilities, making them ideal for outdoor use. From a creative standpoint, the seamless modular design allows for flexible configurations – curved, straight or custom shapes – providing design freedom for event organisers. Their lightweight frames and quick-lock systems also support quick set-up and teardown, which is crucial in the fast-paced environment of live events. Combined with Infiled’s renowned colour accuracy and refresh rate performance, these panels ensure a flawless visual experience both on-site and in camera.” There was also enthusiasm from the SLS team for the versatility of the GX4.6 panels, which supported seamless real-time playback and fast switching between media sources. “We received overwhelmingly positive feedback from the organisers and the audience. The Meteor stage LED set-up was particularly praised for its visual impact, clarity and immersive design, solidifying its role as one of the most visually impressive elements of the whole festival. Despite engineering challenges, it stood out as a visual centrepiece of the festival, setting a new benchmark for stage design in the region,” said Bin Shereef. Meanwhile, increasing demand for ‘immersive and visually engaging live experiences’ is making musical festivals and concerts a ‘rapidly expanding segment’ for Infiled. “We’ve been seeing significant growth in this sector globally, and as such, we’re actively investing in R&D to develop products specifically tailored for live entertainment. This includes innovations in lightweight touring systems, enhanced durability for outdoor environments and higher refresh rates for broadcast-quality video. “Additionally, we’re deepening our collaborations with production partners and rental companies, providing training, local support and turnkey solutions to ensure all of our Infiled panels integrate seamlessly into touring and festival workflows. This sector will continue to be a strategic priority moving forward.” MONTREUX JAZZ FESTIVAL MIAMI With sets from legendary acts, including Chaka Khan, Jon Batiste and Janelle Monáe, the three-day Montreux Jazz Festival Miami – the second annual extension of the iconic Swiss music festival – was hugely well received
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