Hedon, a well-known live music venue in Zwolle, the
Netherlands, has recently had a full Robe moving light rig installed into its
brand new building which features an 850 capacity main hall plus an equality
active small room that can accommodate 200 people.
The venue has been a local landmark for the last 15
years, showcasing an eclectic and vibrant mix of international and home-grown talent
– anything from comedy to music of all types bands – with a hectic schedule of 25
– 30 shows every month. This sometimes peaks at around 50!
Hedon’s Head of Technical Martijn Deenan started
working there four years ago as well as continuing his very active freelance
career, and he oversaw all the technical aspects of the venue throughout the
refurbishment project. Meanwhile, his other work keeps him up-to-date with everything
happening on the scene and brings additional experience and enrichment into the
Hedon mix.
Hedon is partly owned by a cultural event and community
activity organisation called Travers
Deenan and his colleague Geoffrey Zehl produced the
lighting spec for the new space. Their research included staging a shoot-out
between all the major moving light brands to establish which would offer the
best options for Hedon.
The specification then went out to tender, and was
won by Controllux who are headquartered near Amsterdam.
As Robe’s Benelux distributor, the choice of moving
light was obvious, but irrespective of this Deenan explains, Robe was also the
reason they chose Controllux as they presented the best and most value-added
package for the new install, which also included trussing, dimmers and a full
cable infrastructure.
Controllux collaborated with rental and installation
company Bwefar also based in Zwolle, and together with Deenan and Zehl, they
helped deliver the full and completed project which also included audio and
video systems.
The Robe elements are 16 x MMX Spots, 8 x MMX
WashBeams, 14 x LEDWash 300s and six Spot 600Es – all from Robe’s ROBIN series
– together with 60 x Robe LEDForce 18 PARs, a Robe 800FT fogger and grandMA2
control.
Deenan explains that they initially needed good
spot moving heads and were ideally seeking properly multi-functional fixtures
to cover the diversity of acts performing as well as to light corporate events
and private parties.
“We love the MMX WashBeams because you can simply do
so much with them” he enthuses. “The framing shutters are great and are constantly
being used” he explains saying that he also likes the MMX Spots and the fact
that the two types of fixture are well-matched in output and colours and
therefore ideal to run in unison.
Fourteen of the LEDForces are in the foyer lighting
up various aspects, with 24 in the small hall and the balance in the main hall.
Deenan has worked with all the major moving light brands
over the years – before he started at Hedon he was a busy full-time freelancer and for him, both types of MMX surpass his
previously favourite product in intensity, optics and colour mixing capabilities.
Apart from being very happy with the results, and
impressing any guest LDs passing through with the new lighting rigs, he has
found working with Controllux an “Extremely good” experience.
Jeroen Van Aalst from Controllux’ Netherlands office
says, “We were very proud to be chosen for Hedon amidst some serious
competition, and by technical staff who really know their stuff. So many people
are going to enjoy being entertained there and it’s great to be a part of it”.
Photo: Controllux’s Jeroen Van Aalst on the left
with Hedon’s Head of Technical, Martijn Deenan
