OFFLIMITS Music Festival: SLS x INFiLED power UAE’s LED stage spectacle in Abu Dhabi
- juliana6232
- 3 hours ago
- 2 min read
For music fans around the world, April 26th was a day to remember. Global acts like Ed Sheeran, OneRepublic, and Kaiser Chiefs lit up the stage at the OFFLIMITS Music Festival at Etihad Park on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi.
As the UAE's first open‐format music festival, organised by Dubai‐based Theory Eleven Entertainment, OFFLIMITS featured international artists across four unique, immersive stages.
Far more than a concert, it marked a cultural milestone in the region's music scene. Working alongside our long‐term partner SLS Production—a leading player in the Middle East’s live event and entertainment industry—we installed 910 square meters of INFiLED’s high‐performance GXmk2 LED panels on the Meteor Stage. The result was an immersive environment that delivered an elevated visual experience and drew widespread praise from all corners.
About SLS Production
Founded in 1997, SLS Production has built a legacy of enabling unforgettable experiences, regardless of event size or complexity. With a deep portfolio that includes events like Jason Derulo’s concert at Dubai’s Coca‐Cola Arena and Andrea Bocelli’s New Year’s performance at Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi, SLS has become a go‐to name in the region. With nearly three decades of experience, SLS is known for delivering exceptional solutions across audio, lighting, LED screens, video projection, stage design, and special effects—serving some of the Middle East’s most high‐profile and technically ambitious productions.
The Vision: Creating Something Extraordinary
Picture this: April 26, 2025, and thousands of music fans are gathering for what would become a landmark event in the region. SLS Production has been tasked with the responsibility of creating a truly immersive experience that would match the caliber of the international artists performing.
For the Meteor Stage specifically, the vision was ambitious. Create a dynamic environment that would enhance each performance and enable real‐time playback, including live camera feeds, animations, and themed visual effects. In short, they needed to deliver world‐ class production quality that would elevate the entire audience experience while still providing excellent visibility throughout the day.
The Challenge: Scale, Speed, and Precision
The vision for OFFLIMITS was bold, but with such ambition came significant technical and logistical challenges that required precision, speed, and innovative solutions.
• A Custom LED Screen The design called for 910 square meters of LED panels, arranged in a custom‐tilted configuration that wrapped around the stage.
• Visibility in All Conditions Technical requirements were steep: outdoor‐ ready durability for the UAE’s climate, high brightness for daytime visibility, fine pixel pitch for crystal‐ clear visuals, and real‐time responsiveness to support everything from camera feeds to layered graphics.
• Tight Timelines As with any major festival, timelines were tight. Despite the scale and complexity of the tilted LED setup, the system needed to be installed and tested within a narrow window, without compromising performance or precision.
Our Solution: The GXmk2
Having collaborated with INFiLED on multiple projects, the SLS team chose the GXmk2 Series for its performance, reliability, and flexibility—key factors for delivering a successful show under high‐pressure conditions.
Key Technical Features:
Brightness & Pixel Pitch With a 4.63mm pixel pitch and brightness ranging from 800–1500 nits, the GXmk2 panels ensured clear, high‐ quality visuals—even in direct sunlight. This balance of clarity and efficiency made them ideal for festival viewing distances. “The INFiLED LED screens performed exceptionally well throughout the event. Brightness levels were consistent, even in challenging daylight conditions, and the panels delivered stable visuals without signal loss or flickering.” — Shafeeq Bin Shereef, SLS's Senior Video Engineer.
Durability & Protection Engineered for indoor and outdoor use, each GXmk2 panel features retractable corner protection, safeguarding against physical damage during installation and operation.
Modular System Design The modular architecture streamlined the build process, making it easier to scale up to 910 sqm within the required timeframe—ideal for high‐demand rental applications.
Customized System Available in two cabinet sizes (500x500 mm and 500x1000 mm), the GXmk2 supports
±10° curves with five adjustable angles. This made it a perfect match for the Meteor Stage’s layout.
Results and Recognition
The LED setup exceeded expectations. The panels maintained consistent brightness throughout the day, even under midday sun, and handled all content types without interruption.
There were no signal losses, flickering, or issues that could have impacted performances. From live artist footage to intricate animations and ambient visuals, the GXmk2 panels delivered everything the creative team envisioned.
The display not only enhanced the event atmosphere but brought the Meteor Stage to life with seamless, immersive visuals appreciated from every corner of the venue.
Setting New Industry Benchmarks OFFLIMITS was a standout success—and a clear signal that the UAE is ready to host world‐class entertainment experiences.
The visual impact of the Meteor Stage helped raise the bar for regional live production, demonstrating the level of excellence that can be achieved with the right technology and collaboration.
“The collaboration with the INFiLED team was excellent. Their support was especially crucial when we encountered issues on‐site. The INFiLED team responded swiftly, provided remote and technical assistance, and helped us resolve the issue without affecting the show timeline. Their panels performed reliably, and their technical backing added great value to the success of the Meteor Stage.” — Shafeeq Bin Shereef
For us, this is exactly the kind of partnership we aim to build—where vision is supported by responsive technology and expert collaboration. Because when all the elements align, the results don’t just meet expectations—they set new standards.
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