ADJ Jolt Bars Create Electric Atmosphere for What So Not Show in Brooklyn
ADJ’s vibrant and versatile Jolt Bar FX linear LED lighting fixtures featured heavily in the production design for What So Not’s recent concert at the Elsewhere venue in Brooklyn, NY. Spread throughout the performance space, the fixtures were utilized to generate rich color washes, intense strobe flashes and complex ‘eye candy’ effects that complemented the electronic music artist’s immersive live show.
What So Not is an electronic music project of Australian DJ and record producer Christopher Emerson, also known as Emoh Instead. In support of his most recent EP – MOTIONS – the artist toured North America in early 2025, fusing a DJ set with live synths, drums and vocals. This engaging live performance was further enhanced by projected visuals as well as a stage production designed to strike the perfect balance between ‘organic & mechanical’ structures.
Julien Reux of Black Lantern Creative served as Stage and Lighting Designer for What So Not’s landmark New York show at the Elsewhere event space in Brooklyn. For both budgetary and logistical reasons, Julien relied on the venue’s house lighting rig for everything but the floor package. For this he brought in 24 of ADJ’s popular Jolt Bar FX fixtures from local rental house Squeek Lights.
“I wanted a linear fixture, that was very bright and would fit into our pretty gnarly budget,” explains Julien. “But I also wanted to make sure that I gave Chris a lot of depth, basically I wanted to make the show as big as it could be with the money that we had available. The Jolt Bar FX was an obvious choice. I really like that it doesn’t only offer color, but also the white strobe strip down the middle and zone control, which gives added dynamic range. It provided our programmer, Justus, with lots of things to play with and he was able to create some really nice effects using the pixel control of the two different types of LEDs.”
The Jolt Bar FX is a linear LED fixture that features a central strip of 112 x 5-Watt cool white SMD LEDs, surrounded on both sides by a total of 448 x 0.3-Watt RGB color mixing SMD LEDs. Both types of LEDs are grouped into independently controllable zones (16 white and 32 color), which means the unit can also be used to generate a wide variety of engaging chase effects. For the What So Not show, the fixtures were mounted to vertical pipes and spread across the stage seemingly at random.
“My original proposal was simply to pair the fixtures in vertical stacks and run them in a straight line across the back of the stage with even spacing,” explains Julien. “However, when I presented the idea to Chris and his Art Director, they said they’d prefer something more organic. Chris wanted it to feel like the audience was more connected, like they were part of the performance. So, we started spit-balling ideas, and I suggested the concept of a ‘light forest’, which they loved. I went away and drew out a plot, with the Jolt Bars randomly scattered around the stage, some in pairs and some on their own. I sent over a rendering, it was signed off right away, and that’s what we did for the show.”
The Jolt Bar FX units served as the main lighting fixtures throughout the show, which incorporated three separate sets from What So Not as well as guest performers and local support DJs. The fixtures were used to create a myriad of different looks, including bold color washes, animated chase patterns and dazzling strobe effects that filled the large room with blinding flashes of light.
“Holy crap those things are bright!” concludes Julien. “For most of the show I think Justus had them running at 50% but then, towards the end, bumped them up to 100%, which completely saturated the room with color. The combination of RGB and white LEDs, with pixel control, allowed us to create vastly different looks from just that one fixture to give a lot of variety to the show. Justus did a great job with the programming! I also must shout out Victor at Squeek Lights, he’s always been very supportive of all the projects I throw at him, whether it’s a big show with a big, big budget or a smaller show with a tiny budget, either way, he really looks after me. If I have an East Coast gig, Squeek Lights is always the first vendor I call.”
The ADJ Jolt Bar FX fixtures played a crucial role in elevating What So Not’s Brooklyn show at Elsewhere, delivering dynamic lighting effects that enhanced the immersive experience. With their versatile design and powerful output, the fixtures provided a striking visual element that aligned seamlessly with the artist’s vision of blending organic and mechanical aesthetics. Thanks to the creative ingenuity of Julien Reux, expert programming by Justus, and the support of Squeek Lights, the lighting design transformed the stage into a mesmerizing ‘light forest’ that captivated the audience. The result was a visually stunning, energy-filled performance that showcased the impact of well-executed lighting in live music production.
Show
What So Not at Elsewhere in Brooklyn, NY
www.whatsonot.com
Stage and Lighting Designer
Julien Reux
Black Lantern Creative
www.blacklanterncreative.com
Lighting Programmer / Operator
Justus Bradshaw
Lighting Vendor
Squeek Lights
www.squeeklights.com
Photography
Alex Abaunza
ADJ Gear List
24 x Jolt Bar FX
