MAD MAXX Lighting Fixtures Make Major Impact At Premier Arenas And Festivals

GLP's powerful LED searchlight fixtures are in high demand for tours and events this summer and fall.

Mar. 3, 2026 at 8:15am

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GLP reports increasing demand this summer and fall for their MAD MAXX skytracker lighting fixtures, which are billed as the world's first super-fat LED beam and designed to emulate the legacy 3kW and 7kW xenon searchlights of the past. The 750mm beam diameter fixtures have been incorporated into stage sets and scenography by promoters, production designers, and creatives to provide a dramatic "wow" factor. Early adopters like Gateway Productions have deployed the MAD MAXXes on tours for artists like T-Pain and Playboi Carti, as well as at festivals like Valley of the Seven Stars.

Why it matters

The MAD MAXX fixtures are seen as a way for lighting designers and production companies to bring a unique and eye-catching element to their shows and events, helping them stand out from the competition. The large scale and powerful output of the fixtures allow them to create dramatic searchlight effects and dynamic pixel-mapped visuals that enhance the overall production.

The details

The MAD MAXX utilizes 19 individually controllable 90W white LEDs to generate up to 68,000 lumens of output. The pixels can be controlled individually or grouped into three segments for dynamic effects. Early adopters like Gateway Productions and lighting designers like Noah Lucas and Chris Ruppel/Michael Smalley have incorporated the fixtures into tours, festivals, and other events, using them to create unique visual elements like writing out song titles, mimicking casino dice, and bouncing light off rain and clouds.

  • The MAD MAXX fixtures were first previewed by GLP in a video and then seen in person at InfoComm 2025, which led to Gateway Productions investing in 10 units.
  • The fixtures were first used on T-Pain's TP20 2025 tour, celebrating the 20th anniversary of his debut album.
  • They were also used at the Valley of the Seven Stars Festival in Arrington, VA in 2026.
  • The fixtures will be used extensively on Bad Bunny's upcoming world tour in 2027.

The players

GLP

A lighting technology company that developed the MAD MAXX, billed as the world's first super-fat LED beam fixture.

Gateway Productions

A regional production company based in Newburyport, MA that was an early adopter of the MAD MAXX fixtures, investing in 10 units.

Noah (Nappy Boy) Lucas

The lighting designer for T-Pain's TP20 2025 tour, who used the MAD MAXX fixtures to create unique visual effects.

Chris Ruppel and Michael Smalley

Lighting designers from PHNTM Productions who used the MAD MAXX fixtures on the Zodiac stage at the Valley of the Seven Stars Festival.

Marcus Jessup

A prominent lighting designer who used the MAD MAXX fixtures on Playboi Carti's Antagonist tour and will be using them extensively on Bad Bunny's upcoming world tour.

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What they’re saying

“We are a small company … a regional shop, and when I go to trade shows or am out in the field, I want to bring something to the table that is completely different — I'm not looking for the same meat and potato product that happens to be a bit brighter. I want to encourage lighting designers to use regional shops more and show a bit of foresight. MAD MAXX is next generation in size and will enable me to drive that market and hopefully offer touring clients some sprinkles on their ice cream!”

— Alex Sommerfeld, Owner, Gateway Productions

“I first saw [the fixtures] last year on Instagram and was very intrigued with the unique possibilities they have for eye candy as well as fat beams. I was looking for a fat beam, especially for our amphitheater shows and Red Rocks. I wanted the light to go as far as the lasers would.”

— Noah (Nappy Boy) Lucas, Lighting Designer, T-Pain TP20 2025 Tour

“They exceeded my expectations, and for their size I was surprised at just how fast they move. They were very easy to program, and I used them in the full extended mode. I had moments where I wrote out the name of songs on them. I also made them look like casino dice for our Got Money song. In fact, I loved the different effects we could get out of them.”

— Noah (Nappy Boy) Lucas, Lighting Designer, T-Pain TP20 2025 Tour

“We chose the MAD MAXX predominantly because of the size and shape language of the face of the fixture, which matched to the language we established in some of the scenic elements for the stage. The scale of the fixture also played well with the approach we took to scale to the stage as a whole. Ultimately, it acted as a beacon of sorts to call attendees to the stage — but the original emphasis was on the size and shape of the lens faces.”

— Michael Smalley, Lighting Designer, Valley of the Seven Stars Festival

“They definitely achieved the desired mirroring of shape language and desire for a giant fixture to match our creative approach to the scenic design. We got unlucky with the weather on day 3 but one happy surprise was that they looked incredible in the air, bouncing off the rain droplets and illuminating the low cloud cover.”

— Chris Ruppel, Lighting Designer, Valley of the Seven Stars Festival

What’s next

Marcus Jessup will be using a significantly increased quantity of MAD MAXX fixtures when he accompanies Bad Bunny on a world tour next year.

The takeaway

The MAD MAXX fixtures from GLP are emerging as a must-have tool for lighting designers and production companies looking to create unique and eye-catching visual elements that help their shows and events stand out. The large scale, powerful output, and dynamic control capabilities of the fixtures allow for the creation of dramatic searchlight effects and custom pixel-mapped visuals that enhance the overall production.