Lighting for the main of the two ‘popodium’ music spaces has recently been upgraded presenting an opportunity to get new moving lights onboard, which saw the addition of more Robe fixtures, a popular combination of 8 x LEDBeam 350s, 18 x PAINTES and 8 x TetraX moving lights, all delivered by Robe’s Benelux distributor, Controllux.

Cpunt’s chief LX, Myron de Jong, has been working at the venue on and off for around 15 years, starting as a volunteer when it opened, and continuing as a freelancer before taking up this full-time post. Initially there were no moving lights, then the first batch – not Robe – arrived during the first summer of operation.

These first fixtures were generally not super successful, so in 2015 with a previous lighting upgrade, the first Robe’s arrived on site in the form of LEDBeam 150s, ParFects and a mix of DL4X, DL4F and DL4S products, Robe’s first generation of theatrical style LED moving lights, all of which were installed in the 200-capacity Small Hall.

Myron had looked at Robe back in 2012 because there were LEDWash 300 fixtures already installed in the theatre venue next door, which his crew service technically. “We liked these fixtures a lot and often borrowed them for dance parties in the other spaces,” he admitted.

As a result, they then purchased the LEDBeam 150s and DL4 series fixtures for the Small Hall … and these are all still working 10 years later. By 2024, it was time to modernise the 800-capacity Main Hall lighting rig, so having enjoyed such value and success with Robe, they assessed current needs and looked at the brand again.

“The recent search for new products started with looking specifically for an LED spot light, together with a more powerful LED beam than the 150s,” explained Myron. Then Controllux account manager Maikel Sakkers arranged a trip to the Robe factory in the Czech Republic, which impressed everyone with its organisation and set up.

That’s where they saw the PAINTE and the TetraX and decided that these would be a perfect complement – as hard-edged and multi-functional units respectively – to the LEDBeam 350 which was already being considered.

Additional advice was heeded from some key lighting designers including Patrick Krammer of Dutch rockers BLØF, who agreed that all these Robe products would be a great combination and choice.

They love the PAINTE’s colours, the vibrance and richness of the saturates and the purity of the whites, and the CMY colour mixing, and think the gobos are “amazing”. The PAINTE’s TE (TRANSFERABLE ENGINE) was also interesting to them.

Myron describes the TetraXs as “beyond amazing”. These are installed in the Main Hall on drop-down arms upstage. He appreciates the Flower Effect and all the additional movements it can do, together with the flexibility of using it as a whizzy pixel bar – great for dance parties – or a smooth linear wash for backdrops and set pieces.

The LEDBeam 350s are providing side stage lighting in the Main Hall with some deployed above the audience for boosting crowd ambience or, from the same positions, doubling as stage washes.

Everyone is happy with the new Robes in the house and Myron thinks Robe is a leader when it comes to original and properly innovative products that assist people to be creative.

Lighting control in the Main Hall is an Avolites Arena – they have always been an Avo house, for the great value and general usability of the products. Most bands playing Cpunt will bring their own operators who are happy to use their consoles, and Myron and his crew will light any who don’t.

Cpunt stages two or three major shows a week usually at the weekends, and it’s busy and constantly changing with plenty happening. Myron stresses the importance of having a great working relationship with a local distributor who fully understands their needs, as does Controllux.

Photo Credit: Louise Stickland