Robe for De Roma, Antwerp Music Venue

	Controllux's Philip Spittael flanked on the left (of image) by De Roma's Roy Nonneman and on the right by Hans Lodewijckx. Photo: Louise Stickland

De Roma, originally Kinema Roma, the Antwerp music venue, 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 art deco venue, located in the city's Borgerhout area, was originally constructed in 1927, opening as a 2,000-seat cinema, the largest in Antwerp. The main entrance was remodeled in 1958; 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 cultural center and performance space in May 2003 after initial restoration by volunteers.

Lodewijckx and Nonneman both work there full-time, and Lodewijckx is now in his third season at De Roma. He worked there 15 years previously, before leaving to gain more experience as a freelancer. 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; on his return, they were still working.

Six Robe LEDBeam 150s had also been added to the rig, which also featured 19 old 2K profiles on the front bridge.

When the men began looking at LED replacement units, Controllux account manager Philip Spittael demonstrated a range of Robe products. They also looked at three other brands and packages for comparison before choosing Robe.

Robe's TX1 PosiProfiles replace the front 2K profiles, providing a more flexible alternative source with greater output and a fantastic CRI for key lighting. "The colors in these were spot on," Lodewijckx says. "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; they are useful because 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.

Talking about Robe as a brand, Lodewijckx thinks the products are stable and reliable with guaranteed colors. "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. The venue also presents 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 an intimate venue for 50 to 100 people, plus a foyer space that can fit 300 when needed. The main venue capacity is 2,000 standing and 1,250 in seated format.