Eurovision: Festival of lights and technology
The Ultimate tech playground for the live show industry
When we think of global cultural phenomena that captivate both audiences and industries, the Eurovision Song Contest stands out—not only for its colorful performances and elaborate costumes but, above all, for its breathtaking showcase of entertainment technology at its finest.
It’s now live, so you can watch it on May 13–17.
If Cannes is the festival of stars—defined by its red carpet and flash photography—then Eurovision is unquestionably the festival of lighting, visuals, and staging innovation.
The Dream Job for the Show Industry
For many in the world of event engineering, show control, and lighting design, working on Eurovision is a career milestone.
It’s one of those rare productions where creativity is matched by an almost unlimited technical canvas. Being part of the Eurovision production team—whether on lighting, video, rigging, or broadcast—is considered a dream job. It’s a chance to operate at the very frontier of what’s possible in live event execution.
A Stage So Advanced, It Barely Needs Artists
In my opinion, the sheer volume of technology, precision programming, and visual effects packed into the Eurovision stage is so massive that, even without artists on stage, it could still be a compelling show on its own.
If you told a lighting designer to cut half the cues and remove half the fixtures, the production would still rank among the most impressive in the world.
Each year, lighting brands fight for a presence on that stage—because getting your product into the Eurovision setup is a statement. It’s where gear gets tested at the highest level, in front of hundreds of millions of viewers.
A Benchmark for Tech, Not Just Music
Yes, Eurovision may seem a little “old-school format” to some in terms of music style or kitschy performance tropes. But underneath that glitter and glam lies a highly disciplined, advanced, and trend-setting technology show.
Every lighting cue, video trigger, camera move, and automation effect is pre-programmed with surgical precision.
Each act has a unique identity and visual world. In just one show, you might see more creative transitions and design ideas than in an entire season of festivals. And the time window to deliver them? Just a few minutes per act. It’s high-pressure, high-reward work—and a masterclass in real-time execution.
An Industry-Wide Must-Watch
Whether you enjoy the music or not, if you’re part of the live entertainment and event technology industry, you’re watching Eurovision. Because it sets the tone. It reflects the trends in lighting design, content creation, stage mechanics, and visual storytelling. It’s not just a TV show. It’s a rolling exhibition of what’s possible.
Eurovision is a celebration of entertainment technology, an arena where the boundaries of stage design and show control are pushed to the extreme. It’s a place where craftsmanship meets spectacle, and for many professionals, it represents the pinnacle of what our industry can create. RM
Author: 30+ years of experience in creative design and technical production of esports, entertainment, immersive exhibitions, events, and a wide range of audio-visual installations and technologies.
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