The thirteenth edition of ParkCity Live took place over the final weekend of June in the Bekkerveld park in Heerlen, the Netherlands. Lighting products from Infinity and Showtec played a prominent role this year, bringing both the Main Stage and Dance Tent to life.
The technical production was in the hands of SLF Group Rental + Sales which has been closely involved with ParkCity Live for over twelve years. CEO Danny Juretzko has personally overseen the festival’s full production throughout their collaboration. He has also been responsible for the lighting on the Main Stage for the past three years, relying on lighting designer Wesley Houben, who took care of the design and on-site operation. “A beautiful stage and great photos are important, of course,” Juretzko explained, “but what really matters to us is that the feedback from the technicians and artists is positive.” That was certainly the case this year. The Infinity Furion series from Highlite proved to be a strong alternative to the rider-specified gear, offering comparable quality at a significantly lower cost – especially important when working with large fixture counts.
The Main Stage featured a powerful and versatile setup, including 22 Infinity Furion H402 Hybrids, six Furion P602 Profiles, and six Furion S602 Spots. This combination allowed for a wide range of lighting effects to suit the festival’s diverse line-up. Houben was particularly impressed with the Furion S602 Spots’ performance in daylight: ‘The sun was shining directly onto the stage, but the output from the set still held up beautifully.’ His satisfaction with the equipment was clear: “Next year, I’d really like to use Furions again – simple as that. I’m just very happy with the equipment.” Houben also uses Highlite products in other productions, such as Medammecour, where he incorporates both Furions and the Infinity iW-741 RDM.
The Dance Tent embraced a futuristic space-neon-cyberpunk theme, complemented by a striking aesthetic lighting design. The rig included 14 Infinity Furion FX402 Bars, 24 Furion W402 WashBeams, 30 Showtec Shark – The Meg Beam Ones, and 24 Phantom 1220 Zoombars. The Furion FX402 Bars, with their strobe pixel capabilities, were instrumental in creating sharp, laser-like effects that enhanced the immersive environment. “You can really create those futuristic laser lines with them – it’s a great look,” Houben noted.
A notable feature of the production was the collaboration with the Vista College, now in its second year. Students compete to design the lighting concept for the Dance Tent, with the winning design being professionally implemented. Juretzko sees this as a true win-win: “The students save us time with their designs, and in return, we provide them with valuable insights that help prepare them for their future careers.” It’s a great example of how ParkCity Live supports not only artists, but also the next generation of technical talent.
The Showtec Stage Blinder FLEX Blaze was another highlight, with 68 units deployed across the site. These powerful pods delivered broad, impactful visuals and were even repurposed from the Dance Tent to the Main Stage when additional blinders were needed. “You can create a lot of visual impact with affordable tools,” he added.
Although Juretzko rarely gets to enjoy the shows from the audience’s perspective, there are moments when he stands at the side of the stage and takes it all in. ‘Seeing 17,500 people enjoying themselves gives me goosebumps. That’s what I do it for.’
