Technical supply company, MGG, has invested in 24 ROXX Cluster B4 FC LED Blinders from DWR Distribution which were set to work at the 2023 SPAR Convention held at Sun City. Although ROXX was only established in Germany in 2019, the product range has gained recognition among lighting designers worldwide, given its build quality, exceptional functionality, and captivating aesthetics.
MGG’s initial introduction to the brand came about when Thorsten Sattler, one of the founding members of ROXX, visited rental companies within South Africa to support local distributor DWR Distribution. Mark Gaylard, director of MGG, needed a crowd blinder that would be suitable for outdoor events and it was apparent that the robust ROXX Cluster B4 FC LED Blinder ticked that box and many others! Mark is always careful when making an investment, and after doing his research and gathering input from international ROXX users, he knew that this was a meticulously designed product produced by a team that wanted to create something really special.
Günther Müller, project manager at MGG, commented on the ROXX fixtures’ impact. “We received the ROXX fixtures just in time for the Krone 7 music show, and since then, we’ve used them at various events including a festival in Nelspruit and most notably at the 2023 SPAR Convention,” he says. SPAR is one of the largest retailers across South Africa. The SPAR Convention, attended by 1,300 people, featured both a conference and gala dinner in the Sun Arena (formerly known as the Superbowl), where MGG provided comprehensive technical support.
Günther praised the ROXX Cluster B4 FC LED Blinder’s adaptability, highlighting its ability to produce traditional crowd blinder effects while offering lighting designers a canvas for creativity. “The RGB functionality and individual cell control is amazing,” Günther notes. “The robust build quality ensures longevity, and the ability to mix and match different ROXX Cluster fixture types adds to the creative edge we strive for in show design. This means you can connect various blinder and strobe options in the cluster together to produce creative patterns, or ‘clusters’ as they are called. We’re already considering additional ROXX models for specific clients or markets.”
With a long history of collaborating on projects with MGG, Pierre van Wyk served as the Lighting Designer for the SPAR Convention. He had seen the ROXX Blinders in action at Krone 7 and couldn’t wait to incorporate them into his design. “The versatility of the units opened a world of possibilities and allowed me to create a wide range of captivating looks and effects,” says Pierre. “For this show, they served as both blinders and an eye-candy element on the rig.”
The stage featured four trusses staggered in height for a dynamic visual effect. Additionally, two trusses flanked each venue’s LED screen, enhancing the overall visual experience. Placing the ROXX Blinders on the middle-level trusses above the stage and in front of the venue LED screens created a sense of width and depth.
“I was particularly impressed by the ROXX Blinders’ flexibility, especially their RGB and cell control capabilities. These features allowed for the creation of a wide array of looks and the fine-tuning of dimmer curves, reminiscent of traditional blinders,” Pierre adds. “In terms of build quality, the Roxx Blinders proved exceptional, designed with durability in mind. Their robust construction and weightiness give them an almost indestructible feel, ideal for the demands of touring.”
Over the years, Pierre has valued working with MGG in various capacities from lighting designer to operator or system tech. “MGG’s willingness to invest in or cutting edge equipment has consistently elevated the quality of their shows,” he concludes. “I’m grateful that we can push the boundaries of lighting and design together. With MGG’s commitment to staying at the forefront of technology, the possibilities of creating stunning lighting rigs and unforgettable shows remain endless.”
Photos courtesy Anriette Van Wyk, Kief Kreativ