Full service entertainment production provider Technical Entertainment Services (TES) of south Florida recently turned to Elation Professional’s IP65-rated Proteus Hybrid moving head fixture for unconstrained beam and mid-air looks on the 2017 edition of the Riptide Music Festival. Sure, attendees come to Riptide for the great music and relaxed beachside atmosphere, but they expect a visually stunning show as well, rain or shine, and that’s just what TES delivered.

Despite some rain showers and an exposed downstage of Proteus fixtures, lighting designer and TES President Rob Morgan could relax as the weatherproof fixtures performed without flaw. “It rained one day and as the downstage was exposed they definitely got some weather on them but continued to perform nicely,” he said. “ I was impressed with the performance and output of the light. They got a good soaking but didn’t miss a beat.”

Held December 2nd and 3rd in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Riptide Music Festival took over Fort Lauderdale Beach for the second year running. TES again handled lighting, rigging and LED video for the winter beach party, which organizers had significantly expanded. The eclectic lineup recipe and multi-generational appeal – this year featured Cage The Elephant, Weezer, KC and The Sunshine Band, Boyz II Men, Portugal. The Man, Saint Motel and Loverboy – proved popular as more than 20 bands within alternative, pop, rock and adult contemporary performed.

Rob used the Proteus Hybrids on the downstage truss along with other fixtures and added a floor package further upstage behind the drum riser and below the LED wall. “We had just gotten them in and Riptide was their first outing – we love them,” he said. “The intensity is great. they cut through in outdoor applications, even during daylight hours. Incorporating them into the design I was quite happy they held their own and the way they performed.”

The Proteus Hybrid is Elation’s award-winning 3-in-1 beam/spot/wash moving head with Philips 21R 470W lamp that offers a full feature set, including zoom in all modes. Its multi-environmental IP65 design is proving popular among rental companies that stage outdoor events as they eliminate the need for costly shrouds and weatherproof coverings.

On Riptide, Rob killed two birds with one stone, using the hybrid lights as a beam fixture for thick beam looks and as a spot fixture for aerial effects with gobos. “It was a big stage, approximately 60 feet deep by 80 feet wide so there was a lot of real estate to cover and the Proteus did it well,” he said. “There is solid definition in the beam and they cut right through.” According to Rob, TES is planning on using the Proteus Hybrids on several events in the coming year, including a New Year’s Eve show with Pitbull and Ultra Music Festival in March.

Proteus wasn’t the only Elation light in the rig however. Providing variable white light from 16’ towers stage left and right were Elation DTW Blinder 700 IP fixtures. Also multi-environmental to withstand the rain, wind, sun and sand of a beach environment, the DTW Blinder 700 IP houses four high-powered 175W warm white/amber COB LEDs for washes of white light or blinder blasts. They are color temperature adjustable and can emulate the “Dim to Warm” look of conventional tungsten fixtures.

www.elationlighting.com