The 2026 edition of ParkCity Live reached a significant milestone this July, marking its tenth consecutive sell-out year and cementing its status as a premier fixture on the European festival calendar. Held at the Park Bekkerveld in Heerlen, the event drew over 35,000 attendees across two days of high-intensity performances. While the musical lineup—featuring Dutch icons such as Guus Meeuwis, Bløf, Davina Michelle, De Jeugd Van Tegenwoordig, and Paul Elstak—captivated the audience, the technical execution behind the scenes represented a major leap forward for live production. Central to this success was the deployment of the new Infinity Chimp G3 lighting consoles, which were utilized by lead lighting designer and technician Wesley Houben to manage the complex visual demands of the festival’s two primary stages.
The production requirements for ParkCity Live 2026 were exceptionally rigorous, necessitating a control system that could handle high-density pixel mapping, rapid-fire beam effects, and the diverse needs of visiting guest technicians. Working in coordination with the SLF Group, which provided the extensive lighting package, Houben selected the Infinity Chimp G3 Ultra as the primary control surface. This decision was driven by the console’s enhanced processing power and its ability to manage 65 DMX universes, providing a level of scalability that was previously difficult to achieve in a portable, user-friendly format.
A Decade of Growth: The Evolution of ParkCity Live
Since its inception, ParkCity Live has transformed from a local gathering into a massive regional phenomenon. The 2026 iteration was particularly symbolic, representing ten years of consistent growth and commercial success. Park Bekkerveld, an urban green space in Heerlen, provides a unique backdrop for the festival, but its layout presents specific logistical challenges for production teams. The site must accommodate massive stage structures while maintaining safety and visibility for tens of thousands of fans.
For the 2026 edition, the organizers aimed to elevate the visual experience to match the prestige of the tenth anniversary. This required a lighting rig that was not only powerful but also adaptable. The festival’s programming spanned multiple genres, from the rock-infused pop of Bløf to the high-energy "happy hardcore" of Paul Elstak and the hip-hop stylings of De Jeugd Van Tegenwoordig. Each act required a distinct visual identity, placing a heavy burden on the control consoles and the design team to pivot quickly between setups.
Technical Specifications and Control Architecture
The heart of the lighting operation was the Infinity Chimp G3 Ultra. In the high-stakes environment of a major festival, reliability and capacity are the two most critical metrics for a lighting console. The Chimp G3 Ultra’s ability to output 65 universes allowed Houben to integrate a vast array of fixtures without the need for excessive external processing or complex networking workarounds.
"The 65 universes of the Chimp G3 Ultra offered me more than enough flexibility," Houben noted during a post-event technical review. "The ease of use and the programming headroom were equally impressive. There is so much space for everything you need, from complex moving light sequences to intricate pixel-mapped effects."
The console’s architecture is designed to streamline the workflow of a lighting programmer. During ParkCity Live, this was evidenced by the speed at which Houben could build and modify cues. The G3 series features updated hardware designed for better tactile feedback and faster response times, which proved essential during the transition periods between acts when lighting rigs often require rapid recalibration to accommodate guest show files.
The Dance Area: High-Octane Visual Dynamics
The Dance Area at ParkCity Live 2026 was designed to be an immersive environment, characterized by high-speed movements and strobe-heavy sequences. To achieve this, the SLF Group supplied a rig dominated by the Infinity Furion series. The setup included Furion FX402 Bars, which provided linear pixel-controlled effects, and Furion W602 WashBeams, known for their powerful output and versatile zoom range.
To complement these, Houben integrated Furion H402 Hybrids, which served as the workhorses for mid-air beam effects. The visual impact was further enhanced by Showtec Spectra Strobes and Phantom 1220 Zoombars, creating a layered effect that gave the stage a sense of depth and architectural scale. The Xpression 2000B Beams provided the final touch, cutting through the ambient light with sharp, high-intensity pillars of light that synchronized with the driving beats of the electronic performers.
For the Dance Area, the Chimp G3’s engine was pushed to its limits with high-speed pixel mapping. The console’s ability to handle large amounts of data without latency was crucial for the "busking" style of lighting often required in dance music, where the operator must react in real-time to the DJ’s performance.
The Main Stage: Versatility and Professional Flexibility
While the Dance Area was about raw energy, the Main Stage required a more sophisticated and flexible approach. This stage hosted the festival’s headliners and had to accommodate the specific riders of some of the Netherlands’ biggest touring acts. The lighting rig here was a showcase of the Infinity Furion range’s versatility, featuring P402 Profiles, S602 Spots, and P602 Profiles.
The inclusion of iW-1941 RDM Wash lights and Raccoon S250/4 Junior Strobe/Wash units provided the foundational color and intensity needed for televised-quality stage lighting. Additionally, Raccoon W40/4 units and Showtec Stage Blinder Flex Blaze Pods were used to engage the massive crowd, creating the "stadium feel" that has become a hallmark of the ParkCity Live experience.
A critical aspect of the Main Stage design was its "guest-friendly" nature. "When designing the main stage, it is always important to meet the wishes of the guests, but still incorporate some subtle design elements," Houben explained. This balance ensured that visiting lighting designers could easily patch their own consoles into the system or use the house Chimp G3 to run their shows with minimal learning curves.
Case Study: Paul Elstak’s Headlining Performance
One of the highlights of the weekend was the Sunday night closing set by Paul Elstak. Unlike many other headliners who bring their own full-time lighting designers on tour, Elstak’s production gave Houben the creative freedom to develop a bespoke visual identity for the show.
Houben took this opportunity to demonstrate the expandable nature of the Chimp G3 system. He temporarily augmented the existing Main Stage rig with additional Infinity Furion P402 Profiles, specifically positioned to create a unique "look" that differentiated the set from the acts that had preceded it. The result was a high-intensity visual spectacle that combined the precision of a pre-programmed show with the spontaneity of live operation, all managed seamlessly through the Chimp G3 interface.
User Experience and Guest Integration
Beyond the raw technical specs, the success of a festival console is often judged by how well it accommodates the human element. Throughout the two-day event, multiple guest technicians interacted with the system. The feedback indicated that the Chimp G3’s intuitive workflow allowed those unfamiliar with the platform to become proficient in a very short amount of time.
In a festival setting, time is the most precious commodity. The ability to quickly patch fixtures, adjust presets, and navigate the software interface allowed the production to stay on schedule despite the inevitable pressures of a 35,000-person event. Houben highlighted that the console’s ergonomic layout and logical software structure helped optimize operations across both stages, ensuring a smooth production flow from the first act to the final encore.
Broader Industry Implications and the Path to LEAT Con 26
The performance of the Infinity Chimp G3 at ParkCity Live 2026 serves as a case study for the evolving demands of the mid-to-large-scale festival market. As lighting rigs become more complex and pixel counts continue to rise, the industry is seeing a shift toward consoles that offer high universe counts and robust processing without the prohibitive costs or steep learning curves associated with legacy high-end systems.
The SLF Group’s investment in this technology signals a growing confidence in Infinity’s ability to compete at the highest levels of live entertainment. By successfully managing a major 35,000-visitor festival, the Chimp G3 has proven its reliability in real-world, high-pressure conditions.
For professionals interested in a deeper look at this technology, the manufacturer will be showcasing the Chimp G3 series at the upcoming LEAT Con 26. The event will feature a dedicated Training Area where lighting technicians can receive hands-on experience and support. These sessions are designed to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application, similar to the real-world deployment seen in Heerlen.
Conclusion
ParkCity Live 2026 was more than just a successful music festival; it was a demonstration of how modern lighting technology can enhance the live experience for both the audience and the technical crew. Through the strategic use of the Infinity Chimp G3 consoles and a meticulously designed rig from the SLF Group, Wesley Houben was able to deliver a world-class visual production that honored the festival’s tenth anniversary.
As the industry moves forward, the lessons learned at Park Bekkerveld will likely influence future festival designs. The emphasis on flexibility, high universe capacity, and user-friendly control interfaces is set to become the standard for productions that refuse to compromise on creative vision or technical stability. For now, the success in Heerlen stands as a testament to the power of innovation in the ever-evolving world of professional lighting.
