While in many Western countries’ New Year’s Eve TV concerts are produced in a more modest format, Poland continues its tradition of large-scale, high-impact live broadcasts. The most recent Sylwester z Dwójką celebration took place in Silesia in front of the iconic Arena Spodek in Katowice, continuing the legacy of Poland’s biggest televised New Year’s production. The outdoor stage hosted world-class artists, with Sting headlining the event.
The scale of the production required an extensive technical setup. In total, the lighting rig consisted of 1,700 fixtures, 350 of which were GLP fixtures. These were supplied by ATM System, the company responsible for the complete lighting technical service for the event.
The impressive stage design, created by Michał Białousz, directly referenced the iconic shape of the Arena Spodek. Such a complex structure required a non-standard lighting approach, which was designed by Marcin Michna.
The visual success of the show was the result of close collaboration between both creators. Although each was responsible for a different element of the production, it was their shared vision and professional synergy that allowed the project to achieve such a distinctive and spectacular look.
For outdoor events produced in winter conditions, fixture selection cannot be accidental. In this environment, an IP65 rating is an absolute necessity and a key safety requirement.
Both GLP impression X5 IP (150 units) and GLP JDC Burst 1 hybrid strobes (200 units) met these demands. Moisture, low temperatures and the risk of precipitation create a challenging environment where lighting equipment must remain fully reliable. The entire GLP setup performed flawlessly, ensuring stable operation throughout the show and allowing the lighting team to focus fully on the artistic aspects of the production.
The 200 GLP JDC Burst 1 units played a crucial role in the lighting design. Fixtures mounted in the crown of the stage structure added dynamic energy and visual impact, making the scenography feel alive and powerful.
Additional units placed at floor level and in other strategic positions ensured a strong presence on multiple camera angles, enhancing the broadcast image with punch and colour. Thanks to their robust construction and weather resistance, the JDC Burst 1 units operated reliably, even in the most exposed locations.
The lighting rig was completed with 150 GLP impression X5 IP fixtures. Beyond their outdoor-rated design, their key advantage was colour quality achieved through the RGBL engine. The additional Lime emitter combined with iQ.Gamut technology delivered excellent whites and accurate colour reproduction, which translated directly into superior on-camera results.
As noted by the lighting professionals involved in the project, the impression X5 IP is a highly advanced fixture. It is a powerful tool offering a wide range of capabilities, but one that requires informed and conscious operation. In the hands of a prepared programmer, it delivers top-tier visual results, clearly demonstrated by the Katowice New Year’s Eve production.
