Bruno Mars’s Electrifying Shows Lit Up by Cutting-Edge Elation Lighting

## Bruno Mars’s Electrifying Shows Lit Up by Cutting-Edge Elation Lighting

Bruno Mars’s captivating performances are known for their energy and excitement, and behind the scenes, lighting designer Whitney Hoversten is crafting a visual spectacle that complements the global superstar’s dynamic stage presence. From his eight-year residency at Park MGM in Las Vegas to selling out stadiums across the globe, Hoversten has relied on weatherproof Elation PROTEUS lighting to elevate and enhance the visual experience.

Mars, a 15-time Grammy Award winner, has consistently been one of the music industry’s most successful artists for over a decade. His performances are in high demand, with sold-out shows across the globe. From his seven sold-out shows at the Tokyo Dome in Japan to his performances in Mexico, Asia, and Brazil, Mars has been captivating audiences with his electrifying performances.

Hoversten, who has been working with Mars for nearly eight years, has seen his role evolve from lighting designer to production designer. He describes this year’s journey as a series of constantly evolving, one-off shows, a departure from traditional tours. The current setup builds upon the foundation of the 24K Magic World Tour, one of the most successful tours in history.

While Mars’s popularity has skyrocketed since his debut album in 2010, it’s only in recent years that he has filled stadiums. After one-off stadium shows at Allianz Stadium in Sydney and a series of sold-out performances in Japan, Hoversten observed a shift in momentum, with stadiums becoming the new norm. However, with a packed schedule, Hoversten had to adapt his designs on the fly, utilizing existing infrastructure and programming.

As more stadium shows were added to the schedule, it became clear that a more impactful lighting design was needed. In late 2023, Production Manager Joel Forman and Hoversten decided it was time to create a truly stadium-scale lighting design. “It was very clear that we needed to modernize the design, from the overall shape of things up to the fixtures we were using,” Hoversten stated. “As we played more outdoor stadiums, IP rating became critical, especially for our upcoming shows in Brazil. I found the PROTEUS RAYZOR 760 to be the perfect fit for this next phase of the show’s evolution.”

The busy schedule meant that the designers had limited time for rehearsals and programming. They had only a couple of days to clone and reprogram the show to accommodate the new fixtures. This time constraint also meant that Hoversten had to design a show that would use existing assets and infrastructure rather than custom-fabricated pieces. “Given the nature of the shows, and it not being a formal tour, we knew we were not going to have the luxury of 100+ shows to offset the cost of any specialty custom elements,” Hoversten remarked. “The gear and design had to fit on a plane to accommodate flying almost everywhere, so logistics played a critical role in the design.”

Fuse Technical Group, the lighting vendor for Mars’s shows, proved to be extremely helpful and accommodating throughout the design process.

The design evolution involved the creation of a massive wall of 344 PROTEUS RAYZOR 760 fixtures, which debuted at a series of performances at the Tokyo Dome earlier this year. The wall surrounds Mars and his band, with additional lights installed across six overhead trusses. Hoversten says the design stems from direct input from Mars, who is highly particular about the aesthetics and wants to ensure that every show has its big moments. Social media’s influence also played a role, as Mars wanted a backdrop that would look good across all digital platforms from any vantage point in the stadium.

The PROTEUS RAYZOR 760 is an IP65-rated wash effects light with zoom equipped with seven independently controlled 60W RGBW LEDs. Hoversten uses them for their eye-candy visuals, mid-air beams, and big wash capability. One feature of the fixture that the designer has found particularly useful is the SparkLED background twinkle effect. “SparkLED fits in naturally in our show,” he says, “and is especially effective when you have the fixture in large quantities as we do. It adds a fresh look and gives the design added expression. I find myself using it in many songs, especially ballads, where we create a star curtain or star ceiling. It’s been a great tool to have in the toolbox, and certainly another layer to help keep things feeling fresh in each song.”

In phase two of the redesign, Hoversten introduced 112 PROTEUS HYBRID MAX fixtures across the wall and overhead trusses. The PROTEUS HYBRID MAX is an IP66-rated upgrade of Elation’s pioneering PROTEUS HYBRID that can be used as a beam, spot, or wash light. It houses all-new technology like Fast Advanced Features, Tri-Tier Animation, and SpinSync tracking, along with a massive toolbox of visual FX. “We really show the range of what it can do,” Hoversten says. “Tight beams, gobo looks, animation, prism—it’s a Swiss-army-knife of a light.”

In a few songs, the fixture’s continuous pan feature adds a new dynamic and feel to the show. “It’s a big look that really gets people’s attention.” Hoversten adds that he also modified Mars’s Las Vegas residency late last year, featuring a similar design using 387 PROTEUS RAYZOR 760s and 32 PROTEUS HYBRID MAX.

With his unique showmanship and infectious energy, Bruno Mars has a unique ability to get entire stadiums on their feet and dancing, no matter where he plays in the world. The stage production enhances the experience, creating a visually spectacular experience that complements the energy and excitement Bruno Mars brings to every performance.

Crew

* Whitney Hoversten – Lighting Designer
* Jorge “Soline” Velasquez – Crew Chief
* Thomas Poje – Spot/Network Tech
* Ryan Lecomte – Dimmer Tech
* Dominic Hickman – FOH Tech
* Jeremy Dehn – Lighting Tech
* Juan Velasquez – Lighting Tech
* Brian “Bubba” Bukovinski – Lighting Tech
* Victor Cruz – Lighting Tech

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About Elation

Elation represents the elite in the lighting industry. They design and manufacture a comprehensive range of best-in-class entertainment lighting products valued by production/rental houses and lighting designers worldwide. Their dedication to extraordinary quality and creative solutions has established them as the go-to choice for professionals. Their influence extends from iconic stages to cutting-edge studios across the globe.

Elation also offers an advanced line of lighting control products through Obsidian Control Systems, as well as a full range of dependable specialty effects called Magmatic. To learn more, visit www.elationlighting.com.