Back

MA scores a touchdown

Super Bowl XLIX halftime show glitters with grandMA2 console

Katy Perry’s glittering halftime show at Super Bowl XLIX in the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona was an eye catcher. Lighting designer Bob Barnhart of LA-based Full Flood chose a large array of amongst others Clay Paky Sharpy, Mythos and A.leda B-EYE K20 fixtures for the 12-minute show.

Jason Rudolph, the lighting director in charge of the video system, used a grandMA2 light console to control the projection and inflatable, illuminated orbs. Super Bowl XLIX marked Barnhart’s seventeenth big game and his fifth as the primary or sole lighting designer. He served as lighting designer on last year’s Bruno Mars halftime show at Met Life Stadium in Rutherford, New Jersey.

Even before the halftime talent is selected, the venue sets the scene for the production and lighting design. “It all depends on what creative options the stadium offers,” says Barnhart. “If the University of Phoenix Stadium didn’t have a roof we couldn’t have done the projection, for example. Potential weather conditions are also a factor."

“The Super Bowl is different from anything else I do. The halftime show had an amazing entrance and exit and a lot of different things happening in between – all in 12 minutes stuck in the middle of the world’s largest sporting event,” he says. “The first two-and-a-half minutes featured 600 glowing orbs, a giant lion and a moving chessboard. That was a lot of eye candy that kept viewers wondering where it all was headed. We went from end zone to end zone twice: Katy started in the north end zone, joined Lenny Kravitz & Missy Elliott in the south end zone then went back to the north end zone for the flying rig. The show was physically very large and very ambitious in all areas – the production design team did a great job; it was quite amazing!”

Jason Rudolph manned a grandMA2 light for video projection and orb control. “The grandMA2 light is my console of choice,” he says. “It always performs well, and the Super Bowl was no exception.”

Bruce Rodgers did the production design for the halftime show, Baz Halpin was creative director for Katy Perry, Lightborne designed the video content and Michael Curry Design crafted the giant lion.

A.C.T Lighting, Inc. is the exclusive distributor of MA in the USA and Canada.

Photos: © Brad Duns

Used Equipment:<link http: www.malighting.com en goto>

1 x grandMA2 light

Further news

Kaija Koo Rocks Helsinki Stadium with grandMA3 - 2

Kaija Koo Rocks Helsinki Stadium with grandMA3

“grandMA3 was the most efficient, flexible and logical way to run this many lights"

Finnish singer Kaija Koo celebrates an impressive 40-year career as one of the country’s most popular artists, and anniversary activities have included staging a massive show at Helsinki’s Olympic…

Read more

Bienvenido Wholestage!

MA Lighting International is happy to announce Wholestage as the new exclusive MA distribution partner in Mexico. From November 1st 2023, Wholestage will offer the entire MA Lighting product range,…

Read more

grandMA3 Benefits for Two Friends at Coachella

Lighting designer Kyle Kegan of Voyage Productions enthusiastically embraced a full grandMA3 platform for lighting control whilst DJ duo Two Friends delivered two exuberant, hi-energy sets in the…

Read more
Anuel USA Tour 2023 - 2

grandMA3 for Anuel Tour

"It is always great breaking new ground"

Puerto Rican rapper and singer Anuel AA played several high-profile venues – including MSG and others on the recent North American leg of his “Legends Never Die” tour, complete with a spectacular…

Read more

grandMA3 at Parookaville 2023

Top DJs and new workflows

From 21st to 23rd July, the Parookaville event held at the Airport Weeze ground once again lived up to its name. For fans, Parookaville is not just an EDM festival but a whole town with everything you…

Read more