Lighting stage shows and events properly is an art in itself – and the options are as broad and colourful as you’d expect. The emotional impact on an audience is undeniable when lighting sets the scene for theatres, concert stages or clubs with the right colours. Alongside classic spotlights, there are now modern high-tech effects that can combine into a truly impressive overall look.
PAR cans are one of the original forms of stage lighting. Thanks to their distinctive shape, these metal lamp housings have long been known as “cans”. A glance at the ceiling of a theatre or TV studio shows that they’re still widely used today. PAR spotlights come in different lengths depending on the model, and there are versions for indoor and outdoor use. While older PAR fixtures could be heavy and awkward, many housings are now made from aluminium – making them a popular choice for large stages as well as mobile setups. They are mounted and aimed on a truss using their suspension bracket. Unlike moving lights, the beam of a PAR spotlight cannot be adjusted via remote control.
In mobile DJ rigs and small band systems, PAR spotlights are often mounted in groups of four or six on a T-bar and are commonly combined with modern lighting effects.
The lamp size must match the PAR housing designation. The most common stage formats are PAR 36, PAR 56 and PAR 64. While PAR 36 fixtures operate on low voltage, PAR 56 typically uses sealed-beam lamps for smaller spots, and PAR 64 commonly uses sealed-beam lamps or reflector units for larger coverage – so it’s important to choose the right option for your application. In addition to lamps, many classic setups require a colour filter in the form of colour gel, which is inserted into the dedicated filter frame.
LEDs have become a standard on stage – and it’s easy to see why. They offer huge flexibility: instead of using colour gels in front of white lamps, modern LED PAR spotlights can produce smooth, continuous colour changes right from the fixture. With the right control, you can create countless colour looks and plan them precisely – per song or across an entire show.
Especially outdoors – where IP65-rated housings are essential – LED floodlights are a popular choice for washing buildings, façades or trees with colour and ambience. Indoors, floodlights also create strong effects by illuminating walls or larger objects in a targeted way.
Pinspots, on the other hand, focus light into a small, tight beam for precise accents. That’s why they’re especially popular with mirror balls and other reflective objects to distribute light points throughout the room.
For LED lighting, DMX control has become the standard. In professional setups, it’s handled via a lighting console – comparable in workflow to an audio mixer, but designed to shape visual effects.
Many fixtures offer built-in automation modes alongside 3-pin DMX connections, enabling varied looks without external gear. Often, a microphone is integrated so light changes can follow the beat (sound-to-light).
When planning your setup, it’s not just about the effects you want – it’s also about where performers are positioned so they don’t end up as coloured silhouettes. That’s why the stage should be front-lit or side-lit with white light from a suitable angle. Everything else is down to your creativity.