Lighting network infrastructure in one of the largest live productions in the Netherlands
Rotterdam, The Netherlands – In January 2026, Rotterdam's Ahoy venue once again filled with the well known production of "De Vrienden van Amstel LIVE" (The Friends of Amstel LIVE). What began in 1998 as a oneoff show has evolved into a run of fourteen soldout shows, bringing in over 15,000 visitors each night. For two weeks, Ahoy transforms into what De Vrienden van Amstel LIVE calls “the biggest bar in the Netherlands,” a theme carried throughout the entire experience. This means 24 artists performing on three stages, operating within one show and switching at high speed.
For the lighting crew of Ampco Flashlight - part of Clair Global - this translates into three stages to prepare, long distances to cross through the venue, many moving elements and a tight rhythm. In a setting like this, the lighting network infrastructure needs to remain clear, predictable and stable from the first build day to the final fadeout.
A production that sets the bar high
De Vrienden van Amstel LIVE is technically demanding because of:
- three stages within one show
- complex rigging with a lot of moving truss
- a high number of DMX universes
- fast switches between acts and positions
“In an environment like that, dmXLAN helps you stay on top of everything. You see exactly what is happening in the rig and where everything is located.”
— Roy Aarninkhof, Senior Lighting Systems Tech, Ampco Flashlight
Ampco Flashlight has worked on productions of this scale for many years and knows how important it is to have a lighting network you can read immediately, without distraction or delays. That was the reason Ampco Flashlight chose an infrastructure they know and trust: ELC nodes combined with dmXLAN.
dmXLAN NodeHD 24 as the foundation
For this edition of De Vrienden van Amstel LIVE, the infrastructure consisted of:
- 18× dmXLAN NodeHD 24
- 2× dmXLAN NodeGBx 8
- ELC switches
The NodeHD 24 delivered the universe capacity needed for a setup with three stages and many fixtures. A new product within the ELC lineup, this was the NodeHD 24's first appearance in this production. It’s clear rack layout and predictable behavior helped the Ampco Flashlight team quickly set up the show's structure and keep a solid overview throughout the show days.
Clarity during load-in and showtime
“During the load-in, dmXLAN immediately revealed patches, universes and the physical positions of the nodes throughout Ahoy.
For colleagues who are not familiar with ELC, the load-in phase really clarified the added value of the ELC system. Much of the workflow can be preprogrammed before any fixtures are hung. Our coworkers were impressed by how quick and easy that process was.
During the shows, the live monitoring really calmed down the workflow. It's possible to see the network activity and overall performance at one quick glance, without unnecessary screens or complex interpretation.”
Ampco Flashlight experience
“The setup felt familiar. You quickly get a clear overview and that gives peace of mind. That is important in a show with this pace and this much movement.”
— Pim Opheij, Senior System Engineer Lighting, Ampco Flashlight
In summary
A production like De Vrienden van Amstel LIVE requires a lighting network infrastructure that moves with the rhythm of the show. The combination of ELC hardware and dmXLAN gave Ampco Flashlight the clarity and control they needed to run fourteen soldout nights without a hitch in one of the largest and most dynamic live productions in the Netherlands.
- Project name: De Vrienden van Amstel LIVE
- Location: Rotterdam, Ahoy, The Netherlands
- Date: 9 t/m 24 january 2026, 14 shows
- Market: Live entertainment
- Company: Ampco Flashlight
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