Wash lights are used to wash, or flood, an area with light. The industry standard for wash lighting is the 1,000 watt PAR 64 bulb and can fixture. Durable and bright, PAR cans are outfitted with colored lighting filters, called gels, and are typically grouped in sets of four or more cans. Wash lighting uses soft-edged light to allow light beams to better infiltrate stage areas.
Spot lighting is a hard-edged light, used to highlight performers or to create special lighting effects. Static, non-movable cans are used, called ellipsoidals, as are follow spots. Follow spots are operated by a technician, and often employ an internal color filter mechanism, which the technician operates as required.
Intelligent lighting made its concert appearance in the early 1980s, after the development and refinement of lightweight robotic motors. Intelligent lighting of every conceivable design is used, from movable spot and wash lighting, to color changing, scanning and laser applications. Intelligent lighting is used to create dramatic special effects, and is a staple of any large concert.
Laser lighting has been a favorite concert lighting effect since it was introduced in the mid-1970s. Lasers have enjoyed increased use ever since, as technology enabled manufacturers to produce units that became increasingly smaller, lighter, inexpensive and more reliable. Strict safety codes in the operation of lasers must be followed to avoid eye injury to the audience, performers and crew.
Special lighting encompasses a broad range of concert lighting effects. Specials are used sparingly, to add excitement or produce an unexpected effect. Strobe lights, bright-white audience "blinders," scanners, projectors and lasers are considered specials.
Modern concert lighting effects control is done by programming the show into an off-line lighting editing program. When the concert begins, the computer sends the program information to a central control board, which operates the lights via digital controllers. The lighting engineer and technical crew communicate through wireless headsets, and continually monitor the action. Manual override and modification of any lighting effect can be done at any time by the engineer, should a problem arise.
Developments in LED lighting technology in the early 2000s have led to its adaptation to concert lighting. LED bulbs use a fraction of the energy of traditional concert lighting bulbs, and are reported to last hundreds of times longer. While the quality and intensity is not yet sufficient for certain high-power applications, such as follow spot use, LED fixtures, panels and screens for wash and special effects use have already made their way to the big stage. Many top concert performers have added LED lighting to their touring shows in an effort to save energy and take advantage of LED lighting's unique attributes.