Ayrton Features at Eurovision Song Contest 2021

Ayrton Minipanel-FX fixtures are set to put in a solid performance alongside Huracán-X and Karif at Eurovision Song Contest 2021. Photo: Nathan Reinds

Ayrton MiniPanel-FX, Huracán-X and Karif LED lighting fixtures will form a major part of the lighting design for this year’s Eurovision Song Contest 2021, which takes place at the Ahoy Arena, Rotterdam in the Netherlands.

Lighting Designer, Henk-Jan van Beek of Light-H-Art design has chosen significant numbers of each fixture for the main ambient and effects lighting for this annual music extravaganza. The full requirement of Ayrton fixtures – 386 in total – will be supplied by Eurovision 2021’s lighting, audio and rigging supplier, Ampco Flashlight.

The stage design for Eurovision 2021 by Florian Wieder is being kept under wraps for now, but those in the know at Ampco Flashlight have hinted at a wall of MiniPanel-FX which the firm describe on its Eurovision blog as “a cute little fixture that is fierce and powerful.”

“The reputation of Eurovision is unquestionable as one of the best global productions there is,” said Ayrton’s Michael Althaus. “To have Ayrton fixtures showcased on it is testament to the regard in which lighting designers hold our products. We are very excited to be involved once again and I can’t wait to see Henk-Jan’s design and the fantastic plans he has for our Huracán-X, Karif and MiniPanel-FX.  This is a ‘first’ at Eurovision for Huracán-X and Karif, and as for MiniPanel-FX, I say ‘watch your backs!’”

The load-in at the Ahoy started on 10 April under the supervision of Erwin Rintjema, Eurovision Song Contest’s Head of Production for Netherlands’ host broadcaster NPO, NOS and AVROTROS, on behalf of the European Broadcasting Union EBU.

Thirty-nine countries will battle it out for the top honour of winning Eurovision in front of a live audience of 3,500 people (recently admitted as part of the FieldLab trials) and an anticipated television audience of 180 million viewers. The semi-finals will take place on 18 & 20 May, and the unmissable Grand Final on 22 May.

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