Spectacular Light Show Transforms Birkenhead Ventilation Tower: Eurovision 2023
Eurovision 2023 was a spectacular event that brought together music, culture, and entertainment from across Europe and beyond. The contest was hosted in Liverpool, a city with a rich musical heritage and a vibrant nightlife. But the show was not only happening inside the M&S Bank Arena, where the performers dazzled the audience with their songs and costumes, it was also happening outside, on the other side of the River Mersey, where Focal Studios created a stunning light show over the course of seven evenings, emanating from the base of Birkenhead Ventilation Tower.
Focal Studios collaborated with Adlib, Wirral Council, StenaLine, Merseytravel, United Utilities and Carmet Tug Company to design and install a spectacular lighting display that incorporated 8 moving search beam lights, gobo lights, and wash lights to create Wirral’s dynamic and illuminating response to Eurovision.
In this case study, we will explore how Focal Studios designed and installed this lighting installation, what challenges and surprises we faced, and what impact and feedback we received from the project.
The Location
The Birkenhead Ventilation Tower is an iconic landmark that stands tall on the Wirral waterfront. It was built in the 1930s as part of the Queensway Tunnel, which connects Liverpool and Birkenhead under the river. The tower was designed by Herbert Rowse, a renowned architect who also designed other Art Deco buildings in Liverpool, such as India Buildings and Martin’s Bank.
Focal Studios wanted to showcase this unique architecture and draw attention to its prominence on the skyline. We also wanted to create a visual link between the tower and the main Eurovision event, as well as celebrate the theme of inclusivity and solidarity that Eurovision represents, especially this year as the host on behalf of Ukraine.
Focal Studios used a photogrammetry process to capture the Birkenhead ventilation tower in its entirety using a drone. Photogrammetry is the art and science of collecting physical information from 2D photos, in this instance arial images captured by drones. By combining enough overlapping images of the same features, photogrammetry software can be used to generate photorealistic 3D representations of topographic surfaces.
The 3D model generated was used in the pre-visualisation and pre-production stages of the light show using virtual light fixtures. This allowed for a more accurate representation of how the light show would look like before it was actually set up. This provided more flexibility in terms of changing the lighting design without having to physically move any fixtures. It also allowed for easier approval from all partners involved in the project. The photogrammetry process took less than an hour and the model can be used for future projects as well.
Programming the light show at Adlib’s pre-visualisation studio, using the 3D model to simulate lighting effects.
The Process and Tools Used to Create the Light Show
We initially proposed projection mapping the facades of the tower on both Liverpool and Wirral facing sides, which would allow us to create dynamic, animated and bespoke animations. However, this was ruled out due to the position on the Mersey. It would have been difficult or impossible to put projectors on the River Mersey in this short time frame; we’d need a boat (more on this later…). Therefore, we turned to our longstanding and familiar partners at Adlib to utilise their lighting and outdoor installation expertise.
Due to the harsh conditions that working alongside the River Mersey contributes to, we ultimately decided on an IP-rated (suitable for outdoor and wet environments) lighting package that would still allow us to create a visually spectacular show on the waterfront, whilst maintaining the safety of both equipment and crew. This consisted of an array of beams, similar to those of a search beam, to create eye-catching movement, in addition to colour and vibrant washes. Gobo light fixtures (commonly referred to as gobos) were used to project imagery, text, and logos onto the facade of the tower.
What is a Gobo?
A Gobo is a metal or glass stencil that is placed in front of a light source to create a pattern or shape on a surface. Remember the good old batman signal in the sky? The Gobo fixtures were meticulously placed on the dolphin gangway owned by Stena Line and Peel Ports, located 110 m away and almost directly opposite the tower. This required intricate trigonometry calculations to ensure precise alignment – similar to projection mapping and key stoning that Focal Studios specialise in, but calculating to account for the geometric differences that projecting on an angle will do.
Creative lighting brilliance and industry-leading design
Whilst our proposal was to place our light fixtures on the top ‘shoulders’ of the tower, an initial site visit to the top of the tower concluded that lifting Adlib’s precious equipment up several vertical ladders would have not been an enjoyable experience. Therefore, Focal Studios utilised Aytron Cobras on the base of the tower to create beams of light that danced around the tower. The strength of these beams due to their laser light source allows beams of light to physically touch clouds, so was a spectacular sight for spectators on both sides of the water. The Cobras were grouped in sixes at the base of the tower, allowing them to work independently or together to create different effects and patterns. The colour palette of the lighting matched the Eurovision 2023 branding, using rainbow and Ukrainian flag colours to promote diversity and unity. The Cobras were also used to create visually spectacular movements across the tower’s facade, such as a golf club-swing, representing Wirral as the home of the golf Open in Hoylake; in addition to waving arms, welcoming visitors from the UK and across the world to the Wirral.
Example of the lighting design and concept from the storyboard.
The Gobo lights were Ayrton Domino LTs, which are fixtures that use metal or glass templates (the aforementioned gobos) to project shapes or patterns onto surfaces. Focal Studios custom-cut gobos to project messages and imagery onto the front and back facades of the tower, such as the official Eurovision 2023 branding, including the diverse “United in Music” messaging. We also paid tribute to the launch of Left Bank Life and DarkSide Collective, who were are showcasing Wirral’s diverse community and happenings, and Wirral’s first and only immersive technology creative, respectively. The Gobo lights were placed on both sides of the tower, one on the dolphin gangway at Stena Line’s Belfast terminal, and one at Morperth Docks Wastewater Treatment Works (United Utilities) next to Pacific Road warehouse.
Focal Studios had to account for the angle and distance of these locations when cutting the gobos, using trigonometry to adjust for the geometric distortion that projecting on an angle would cause.
To provide animated and dynamic movement, we sought a solution that would mimic the flexibility and realism that a projected animated digital content would usually provide, with the advantages that using outdoor, bright lighting fixtures gives. We creatively designed and incorporated bright wash lights that evenly illuminated the ventilation tower. Adlib’s choice of SGM P6 Wash RGBWs, which are fixtures that use LED light sources to create colours and effects on surfaces, were used to create wave and ripple effects across the tower from head to toe, adding more dynamism and movement to the display. The Ukrainian flag rippled across the building in some scenes, whilst water and waves represented the water that connects both spectators and the tower alike. We even created our own Focal Studios branded scene, with our vibrant branding colours being used to represent on old-style EQ metre, showing the dynamism of being a Wirral-based creative company.
SGM P6 Wash lights making a bold and vibrant statement across the Liverpool-facing facade of the tower.
A Memorable Tug Boat Moment
Ah yes, the boat. The uniqueness of the light show extended beyond its visuals, as a remarkable moment occurred during the setup. Due to the length and height of the dolphin gangway, it was not feasible for the Focal Studios team to carry the Gobo fixture to the end. To solve this challenge, they employed a tug boat from Carmet Tug Company to lift the fixture onto the jetway. After coordinating with Stena Line and Peel Ports to meticulously plan the triumph around high tide and calm weather conditions, our team kept a watchful eye on the fixture as it was lifted from the boat onto the gangway by trained Adlib technician’s and Carmet’s small but mighty crane. This was a highlight of the event, an unexpected one at that, and further showcased the collaborative efforts of all partners involved.
As Eurovision left Liverpool, the Left Bank of the Mersey stood proud
The light show ran every night from 8 pm to midnight during Eurovision week, creating a stunning spectacle that could be seen from across the river and for miles around by casual spectators. An estimated 175,000 people spectated our Lightshow, whether it was from the Euro Village outside the three graces and pier head, along the famous waterfront, or just through phone screens and across our social media feeds. We thoroughly enjoyed creating this spectacle, and we hope you enjoyed watching it as much as we loved making it! The Eurovision light show was a grand spectacle that showcased the city's talent, love, and cultural diversity. The stunning display of lights brought together art, technology, and precision, creating an unforgettable experience for everyone involved. This collaborative effort, made possible with the support of various organisations and individuals, stands as a testament to the power of teamwork and innovation. As the lights are carefully packed away, the memories of this remarkable event will forever linger, reminding us of the magic that can be created when creativity and unity come together on the grand stage of Eurovision.