HOUSTON  RODEO

Case Study:  When you need to go Texas big, you drop in rocking

The Houston Rodeo (The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo or HLSR) is renowned for its vibrant blend of thrilling rodeo events and world-class musical performances. Held at NRG Stadium, the rodeo sought to redefine entertainment for its audience by creating a seamless transition between the rodeo events and the post-event concert. With over ~70,000 attendees each night, the challenge was to keep the energy alive and the crowd engaged without a lull.

To reinvent the experience in a way that celebrated the excitement levels to date would be difficult, but with Smartstage's decades of experience in large and exciting custom projects, we were able to amp up the crowd experience to new levels... literally. Enter the all-aluminum 40-foot turntable stage, equipped with built-in motors, lights, and smoke effects, designed and executed to perfection. This stage, lowered while spinning and shooting smoke and pyrotechnics as the band played on it, gently landed into and on the already massive 60' x 40' rectangular stage in the round below.

At Smartstage, it doesn't always have to go big to be amazing, but when it does need to go big, we're ready to go Texas big. The event organizers had a big vision and we were determined to deliver on that. What did this project entail? Let's explore...

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS

CHALLENGE:  The Houston Rodeo’s organizers were looking for innovative ways to keep the audience captivated after the last bull left the ring. They wanted a show-stopping spectacle that would instantly grab attention and maintain the party atmosphere, create a flawless transition from rodeo to music without losing audience energy, utilize an in-the-round design for 360-degree visibility, and incorporate advanced stage technology for dynamic visual and audio effects.

SOLUTION:  The solution was a revolutionary 60' x40' rectangular stage with a 40-foot round turntable stage suspended from the ceiling, slowly spinning and lowering to the floor stage while the band played and while special effects were engaged. This innovative design featured:

• A Flying Stage: The turntable revolve, built entirely from lightweight yet sturdy aluminum, descended from above while revolving. This dramatic entrance set the tone for an unforgettable concert experience and the audience loved it.

• Built-In Motors: Precision-engineered motors meant smooth and controlled revolutions, allowing the band to safely perform during the descent and while spinning.

• Integrated Lighting and Smoke Effects: Coordinated bursts of light and smoke added a layer of spectacle, creating a sensory feast that electrified the crowd.

• In-the-Round Configuration: The rectangular stage with the circular revolve lowered into it allowed fans to enjoy the performance from every angle, fostering an immersive and inclusive atmosphere.

DELIVERY: The innovative revolving and floor stage combo achieved exactly what the Houston Rodeo envisioned. The descent of the revolving stage captivated the audience, preventing the usual post-event exodus, keeping the crowd energized and engaged. While the spinning stage, coupled with lighting and smoke effects, created a dazzling visual and auditory display that had fans cheering. Social media buzzed with videos and photos, amplifying the event's reach. By reimagining how a stage could move and interact with its surroundings, the Houston Rodeo delivered a concert experience like no other.

LET'S ROCK YOUR NEXT EVENT...

The 40' revolving turntable stage not only met, but exceeded expectations... proving that innovation and creativity can transform any event, no matter how legacy, into a once-in-a-lifetime experience. For the Houston Rodeo, this was more than just a concert - it was a moment of magic that left the crowd wanting more. Are you ready to re-imagine your venue's impact? Get in touch with us today.