De Roma invests in Robe lights

De Roma – originally Kinema Roma – is one of Antwerp’s best-known and loved music venues, and has recently added new Robe moving lights to its house rig, comprising 12 LEDBeam 150s, 12 LEDBeam 350s and 24 TX1 PosiProfiles, all specified by lighting technicians Hans Lodewijckx and Roy Nonneman, and supplied by Controllux, Robe’s Benelux distributor.

The venue’s fabulous art deco building in the lively Borgerhout area of the city was designed by Alphonse Pauwels and originally constructed in 1927, opening as a 2,000-seat cinema, then the largest in Antwerp. The main entrance was remodelled in 1958 by architect Rie Haan and it became a popular music venue on the European touring scene in the 1970s before closing in 1982. Twenty years later, the building was heritage classified and reopened as a vibrant cultural centre and performance space in May 2003 after initial restoration by volunteers.

Hans and Roy both work there full-time, and Hans is now in his third season back at De Roma. Prior to this, he had worked there 15 years ago before leaving to gain more experience in the rough-and-tumble world of freelancing. He returned after COVID, looking to spend more time in one place and less on the road, but still doing the job he loves.

When he returned in 2022, the decision had already been made to upgrade the stage lighting to LED sources. When he had originally left De Roma, the venue’s first moving lights – Robe 600E Spots – were installed, and these were still working when he came back!

Six Robe LEDBeam 150s had also been added to the rig in that time, and they still had the 19 x creaky old 2K profiles on the front bridge.

When looking at new LED replacement fixtures, Hans and Roy both wanted a brand with a good track record for reliability that would cover all their needs, and they were both free to make the choice. They also wanted something rider-friendly so all using the house rig would be happy.

Controllux account manager Philip Spittael demonstrated a range of Robe products, and they also looked at three other brands and packages for comparison… before making the decision to go with Robe.

Robe’s TX1 PosiProfiles replace the front 2K profiles, providing a high-quality, vastly more flexible alternative source with greater output and a fantastic CRI for key lighting.

“The colours in these were spot on,” commented Hans, “While we do not do so much theatre, designers working in that sector are generally quite reluctant to switch to LED, but with TX1, so far all of them who have worked here have been extremely happy! To keep those often hard-to-please LDs satisfied, this fixture was a no-brainer!”

The LEDBeams – both 150 and 350 – are all included in De Roma’s standard production rig.

Most of the lighting designers working there arrive with a touring band or show and want decent wash and beam lights that can be easily incorporated into their show files, so LEDBeams are a perfect choice there.

The new lights have already made a huge difference to how shows can look and the reaction from incoming productions has been absolutely positive.

People love the brightness and the quality of the TX1’s output, and just two fixtures are sufficient to wash the stage.

Talking about Robe as a brand, Hans thinks the products are stable and reliable with guaranteed colours. “You know that you will be able to get a good show from a Robe rig,” and of course, having a good relationship with the local distributor is essential.

Roma produces around 20-25 shows a month so the turnover and variety are high. They also present regular film screenings sometimes with multiple movies in a day, so there is always something happening.

The venue is at the heart of Borgerhout’s social and cultural activities offering rock, pop, jazz and other genres with both local and international artists. There is also a restaurant on site and a smaller intimate venue for 50 to 100 people plus a foyer space that can fit 300 when needed. The main venue capacity is still 2000 standing and 1250 in seated format.

High production values are at the core of what Roma stands for as they position themselves as one of Belgium’s leading music venues. All freelancers and artists are welcome, and they believe in promoting an atmosphere of tolerance, inclusion and diversity for all involved with this innovative, charismatic and ground-breaking performance and entertainment space.

Photo: Louise Stickland.