Neushoorn (lighting)

Neushoorn is a busy and vibrant music venue in the heart of Leeuwarden, the Netherlands, complete with two halls, a cafe area that’s also used as a performance space, rehearsal rooms and studios, plus strong educational ties with local vocational college, Firda.
The venue received a tranche of funding to upgrade its technical infrastructure, calling for reliable, versatile and future-proof LED fixtures suited to fast-paced production environments and diverse performance styles.

The solution included Robe PAINTE, LEDBeam 350 and 350 FW, Spiider, TetraX and LEDBeam 150 fixtures, selected for their compact power, speed, creative flexibility and proven reliability.

The fixtures are primarily deployed in the main hall of Neushoorn, a 750-capacity live music space hosting a wide variety of performances, while additional fixtures support the smaller hall and other areas. The rig is designed to handle a fast turnover of shows, with in-house and visiting lighting designers able to work seamlessly.

The PAINTES form the backbone of the rig, offering a compact yet powerful solution ideally suited to a venue of this scale. LEDBeam 350 and 350 FW fixtures provide versatile wash capabilities, Spiiders and TetraX units add creative effects and layered visual textures, while the LEDBeam 150s enhance flexibility in smaller spaces and floor packages. Together, they allow for both high-impact concert lighting and more intricate, design-led productions.

Additionally, these fixtures support the venue’s educational function in partnership with Firda, providing students with hands-on experience using industry-standard, state-of-the-art lighting technology.

One of the challenges was ensuring long-term reliability and value for investment, as previous experience with mixed-brand installations highlighted inconsistencies in durability.

The venue previously had an installation of Robe’s first-generation DL series LED theatrical luminaires with 17 x DL4Xs, which arrived in in 2016 … and these fixtures are still going and have been moved to the Small Hall.

Neushoorn’s head of lighting Jorden Boersma, pointed out this impressive reliability to Leeuwarden city council, who fund the venue, and explained that they needed consistency and reliability, which returning to Robe would give.

The project also faced delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which paused initial planning that had begun in 2021.

At Neushoorn, this Robe lighting installation underpins an exceptionally busy programme of over 500 events per year, spanning live music, performances and educational activities.

The choice of fixtures was driven by real-world experience and long-term performance. By reinvesting in a brand that had already proven its reliability over nearly a decade, the venue has ensured a future-proof solution with reduced maintenance demands.

Importantly, the project also supports the next generation of industry professionals through its partnership with Firda, giving students direct access to world-class lighting technology in a live production environment.

The result is a dynamic, future-ready venue that enhances both the audience experience and the workflow of technical teams, while fostering education and innovation, making it a deserving winner for this award.