CaCo García dazzles at the 2024 Coca-Cola Music Experience Festival with an innovative lighting design powered by MA Lighting’s grandMA3. The prominent lighting director and designer merges advanced technology with creativity, adapting seamlessly to the festival’s diverse atmospheres. The versatility of grandMA3 allows CaCo to elevate his vision, solidifying his reputation as a leader in lighting design for major events.
Hailing from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and currently based in Madrid, CaCo García is the mastermind behind the stunning lighting for the Coca-Cola Music Experience (CCME). As the festival’s Lighting Director and Operator, CaCo has honed his craft over more than 20 years. His journey began in a small theater where he handled various roles—cleaning, ticket sales, sound, and eventually lighting. This sparked a passion that drove him across Spain seeking training and eventually becoming a master of light design in the music industry.
Since 2006, CaCo has contributed to tours and productions for some of Spain’s biggest musical artists. His career growth led to increasingly creative and technical roles, culminating in his current position at CCME and other key industry events as Lighting Director, Designer, and Operator. His relationship with CCME dates back to its early editions, where he started as a technician, rising to team leader, and eventually to Lighting Designer.
“With time and the evolution of the Festival, Production Director Oscar Fernández suggested I design lighting and video to match the project’s growth,” García recalls, a challenge he eagerly embraced.
A Parallel Journey with MA Lighting
CaCo has relied on MA Lighting consoles for over two decades, describing them as essential companions in his professional development. Transitioning to the grandMA3 has enabled him to take his work to new heights. For CaCo, MA Lighting is not just a brand but a “lifelong professional partner,” embodying “power, reliability, stability, and innovation.”
“MA products cover 100% of my needs. From the start, I connected with their philosophy of work and programming,” he explains. “It’s a brand that listens to its users, implementing new functions and improvements with every update. Features like ‘Selection Grid,’ ‘Phasers,’ or ‘Recipes’ streamline the workflow and enhance programming results. MA offers a wide range of options for every type of need.”
The grandMA3 and Live Event Challenges
For this year’s CCME, CaCo and his colleagues, operators Juan Manuel Lázaro and Miguel Hidalgo, opted to use the grandMA3 in Mode 3. “With the latest updates, its potential is incredible,” he highlights, emphasizing the console’s ability to meet the demands of a large-scale event. They deployed a network system based on Luminex nodes and switches, integrating multiple MA sessions with consoles and processing units to manage approximately 45,000 parameters distributed across 125 DMX universes.
The setup for the 2024 Coca-Cola Music Experience included five grandMA3 Full Size consoles, one grandMA3 Light, two PU XL processors, six PU L processors, and four PU M processors. This ensemble from MA Lighting ensured sophisticated control and versatile management for such a high-profile event.
Beyond hardware, CaCo praised the software’s capabilities, particularly its robust networking system. “One of MA’s most powerful features is its proprietary networking protocol,” he explains. This allowed seamless DMX signal exchange and precise control, offering unparalleled flexibility and stability for an event requiring full control and versatility.
Switching from Mode 2 to Mode 3 was the year’s biggest challenge. “Although initially daunting, it was an irrational fear,” admits the LD. “Now, we wouldn’t consider going back.”
Lighting Design for a Multifaceted Festival
The CCME combines the elements of a televised gala and a music festival, requiring a dynamic lighting design to cater to a variety of performances and genres. “Many moments need a unique and distinctive atmosphere,” CaCo notes. Internally, the team describes CCME as a ‘Festi-Gala,’ blending the diversity of a festival with the continuity of a television gala.
The festival’s wide range of musical genres attracts audiences of all ages and tastes, demanding a design that incorporates “a bit of everything” to meet each act’s needs. The setup included motorized effects for technical transitions and tailored stage aesthetics that complemented each artist’s identity. The narrative visual elements allowed the lighting to tell stories, transitioning seamlessly from intimate moments to bursts of energy.
The Power of Technology and Teamwork
While MA Lighting technology is pivotal, the support of CaCo’s technical team is equally crucial. Collaborating with Twincam Pro and seasoned operators ensured a flawless show. “The team of operators is another fundamental pillar,” says García. “They are extensions of myself; we’ve worked together for many years, and each one brings so much to the project.” This synergy extends across departments, enabling effective problem-solving and smooth execution of creative ideas.
In summary, the combination of grandMA3’s cutting-edge technology, meticulous design, and a dedicated team allowed CaCo García to redefine the lighting experience at the Coca-Cola Music Experience 2024, setting new standards for live event production.
