India’s first live music deployment of iFORTE LTX Follow Spots with RoboSpot technology marks a new milestone in concert lighting

Indian music icon Anirudh wrapped up his electrifying “Hukum” world tour with a spectacular homecoming concert on the East Coast Road (ECR) in Chennai, delivering an unforgettable night of music, energy, and technical brilliance. Designed by Bala Subramanya (Vinod), Albin Biju, and Guru Somayaji of Bangalore-based 369 Design Lab, the production made Indian concert history as the first-ever live music event in the country to feature ROBE iFORTE LTX Follow Spots operated via RoboSpot remote follow systems.

The system – comprising six iFORTE LTX units and four RoboSpot BaseStations – was supplied to the production and main lighting contractor Reynolds by Mumbai-based SSL Media. For Vinod and Guru, the deployment marked a proud milestone, as they had long envisioned introducing the technology to India’s live music scene.

The design team had been searching for a high-powered, long-throw follow spot system capable of reaching across the vast concert site and its dual-stage configuration. The RoboSpot’s flexibility, paired with the formidable output and precision of the iFORTE LTX, made it the ideal choice for the job.

As the “Hukum” tour came full circle—having begun in February 2024 at Dubai’s Coca-Cola Dome—the Chennai finale carried special emotional weight. With Anirudh performing in his hometown, expectations were sky-high. The creative and technical teams rose to the occasion, blending artistry and precision for a production that fully lived up to its billing.

Vinod, who has been Anirudh’s lighting designer since 2020, worked closely with Albin and Guru to coordinate all visual disciplines, including video content by Pixadoo. A massive 144-foot LED screen served as the visual centrepiece, shaping the lighting design and influencing fixture positioning. “We love specifying Robe whenever possible,” Guru shared. “From MegaPointes and Spiiders to Tetra2s, they’re solid, reliable, and always deliver.”

The six iFORTE LTX units were positioned strategically across four delay towers to cover long throws up to 200 feet, ensuring pinpoint accuracy even against the intense backdrop of the LED wall. “The power, focus, and sharpness of the zoom, even at tight angles, is really impressive,” Vinod noted. Guru added, “It was fantastic to be able to hit the B-stage cleanly from that distance while maintaining a razor-sharp beam.”

For the song Pathikichu, the entire stage was bathed in deep red, yet the iFORTE LTX Follow Spots still cut through effortlessly, perfectly tracking the artist. Albin, who called the spots while Vinod ran the console, placed all four spot operators near FOH to allow clear communication during cues. In true Indian ingenuity, he even devised a backup semaphore system for visual cueing—a simple yet effective solution in a high-energy live setting.

Despite heavy monsoon rains that delayed setup and programming by a full day, the team’s determination shone through. “The organisers immediately noticed the quality and clarity of the iFORTES on the artist,” Guru said. “It was clear why we pushed for them—they elevated the show completely.”

Though five manual follow spots were kept on standby, only one was ultimately needed as the RoboSpot system handled the task flawlessly. The result was a production that not only celebrated Anirudh’s homecoming in dazzling style but also set a new benchmark for concert lighting technology in India’s booming live events industry.