There is way too much confusion out there about what types of lighting are best for stages. You see, at any huge concert, you feel like your money is well spent because of the ambiance, the music, and most importantly, the lighting. The flickering effects, the washes, and the blinding lights all come together to create a better experience for the audience. 

Many professionals pay close attention to these different types of lighting, both in concerts and in theatres. And that's exactly why these shows are worth attending. If you also want to make your concert memorable, then you must understand the types of lights used in concerts more deeply.

Where to Buy Professional Stage Lighting

When it comes to professional stage lighting, ETC (Electronic Theatre Controls) is one of the most trusted names in the industry. For decades, ETC has been providing lighting solutions for theatres, concerts, live shows, and architectural projects around the world. Their products are known for quality, and that’s why many professionals trust them.

Here’s what you can find on ETC Connect:

  • Lighting Fixtures: Spotlights, wash lights, moving heads, LED strips, Fresnels, strobes, and more.

  • Accessories: Power distribution, rigging gear, mounting brackets, and control consoles.

  • Support & Resources: Manuals, software downloads, training guides, and technical support.

Different Types of ETC Lights Used on Stages 

So, here are mentioned the names of the lights that are used in professional shows, and everything you need to know about them:

Spotlights

These are focused beams that point directly at a performer or specific area of the stage. These are perfect for solos, speeches, or any dramatic moment where you want everyone to pay attention.

Real-Life Examples:

  • Beyoncé at Coachella 2018: spotlights followed her every move during solos.

  • Hamilton on Broadway: used spotlights to highlight emotional songs, letting the audience focus on the right performer.

Wash Lights

These are lights that spread across the stage to give an even glow. They don’t highlight one person; they light up everything. Great for setting moods or coloring the background.

Real-Life Examples:

 

  • Coldplay’s A Head Full of Dreams Tour: huge LED wash panels bathed the entire stage in color.

  • Cirque du Soleil shows: wash lights cover large areas, making performers and props visible without harsh shadows.

Moving Head / Beam Lights

These are smart lights that can tilt, pan, and zoom on their own. They create moving beams and dynamic effects that make the stage feel alive. They are often used in concerts, festivals, and award shows.

Real-Life Examples:

  • Taylor Swift’s Reputation Tour: moving lights followed the music and danced across the stage.

  • Grammy Awards 2020: lights highlighted performers and created sweeping visual effects.

Pixel Lights

Long bars or strips of LEDs that can light up individual sections independently. You can make patterns, waves, or even animations. You can be creative with that like backdrops or special effects that move with music or action.

Real-Life Examples:

  • U2’s Joshua Tree Tour 2017: LED strips at the edge of the stage created animated visuals in sync with the songs.

  • K-Pop concerts (BTS, Blackpink): LED strips and bars create colorful, moving effects that match their choreography.

Fresnels

Soft, even lights that don’t have harsh edges. They gently light the stage without being too noticeable. They are mainly for theatre plays, small shows, or blending with other lights to keep everything looking natural.

Real-Life Examples:

  • The Phantom of the Opera: Fresnels softly lit the stage to keep scenes dramatic but natural.

  • National Theatre productions: used to give consistent light coverage for actors across wide stages.

Special Effects & Strobes

These lights create strobe effects, lasers, or other high-energy visuals. They make the audience sit up and notice something exciting. They are widely used in Dance shows, big concerts or any dramatic moments where you want a wow effect.

Real-Life Examples:

  • Lady Gaga’s Super Bowl Halftime 2017: strobes added intense energy during dance routines.

  • EDC (Electric Daisy Carnival): lasers and strobe lights created a festival-like, high-energy atmosphere.

Agree or not, more than the sound, your lighting makes a performance shine. You need to be smart when buying lights for your stage. If your goal is to give your audience one of the best experiences, one that feels professional, there’s no better option than ETC. You’ll find all the types of lighting we discussed above, and once you try them, you’ll realize just how high-quality they really are.

Stay tuned to ShoneRight to get more information about stage lighting.