Drone shows have quickly risen to become one of the most exclusive and mesmerizing forms of entertainment, dazzling spectators around the globe with their incredible performances. Companies such as Patrick O’Mahony’s Skymagic are at the forefront of that trend. They employ thousands of these flying marvels to produce elaborate three-dimensional designs and effects that mesmerize onlookers.
Skymagic’s drone shows utilize fleets of up to 6,000 bespoke designed drones. These iBAS drones dart around the sky at speeds reaching up to 10 meters per second. They’re lightning-quick, too, with seven color-changing LED lights and a flight time of up to 25 minutes on a full charge. The company has delivered stunning performances across various international venues, including the prestigious 2023 Coachella music festival in California, where attendees marveled at the aerial artistry.
Drone shows have not only become increasingly popular in festivals, but they are now, for many personal celebrations. For example, at Bobby Underwood’s wedding, there was an amazing aerial show with 100-150 drones. Each drone danced to light up images that symbolized the couple’s journey thus far. An unforgettable chalk art masterpiece was a baseball player swinging at a ball, honoring the groom’s passion for sports.
“It was kind of just shock – ‘Is this really happening right now?’” expressed Mrs. Underwood, reflecting on the surprise element of the show.
Pedro Rosário, CEO of Drone Show Animations, creates shows for corporate clients who provide the drones themselves. Through his work, Matt has shown the creative possibilities that drone shows can offer. They’re able to easily sync with pyrotechnics, conventional fireworks or lasers to enhance their visual impact.
Industry commentators like Sally French, aka The Drone Girl, have praised the artistic merit of these drone light shows. “They are really beautiful – they are art,” she stated. French is convinced that drone shows have gone beyond entertainment and entered the realm of true art. This feeling is echoed by the thousands who have seen these transformative productions.
The price tag for staging a drone show can be very high, sometimes well over $1 million. In the UK, the cost of each drone is approximately £220, or approximately $300. This cost becomes substantial for outdoor productions of any magnitude. Despite all that investment, their popularity continues to shoot through the roof. Hence why more people and companies want to get them into their events.
Beyond weddings and music festivals, Skymagic’s deep experience has set it up to make some smart strides in the space in the coming years. The telecom provider’s plan to light up the “farm fields” of the Glastonbury music festival with connectivity. Thrillingly, the festival will feature its first ever drone show in 2024! This growth in event type diversity is a clear sign that drone shows are becoming more widely accepted and sought after.
In October, with an incredible 10,000 drones. These giant screens display dramatic, colorful technological innovations. They raise attention to the increasing popularity of flying drones in public and private celebrations.
All of these drones started rising up, Mrs. Underwood remembered, stressing the wonderment her guests experienced while on her wedding. In response to the tremendous feedback from attendees, she added, “We’ve heard compliments about our wedding in general – consistently, the drone show is something people bring up as something they never expected to see.”
With technology and artistry improving, capabilities to produce more stunning and captivating shows with drones are advancing. It reminds us that each performance is an adventure in creativity and technical execution. Whichever side we choose to fall on, one thing is for certain — this new form of entertainment is here to stay.
“Once the drones have received their ‘go’ command [they] fly the entire show,” explained Mr. O’Mahony. That precision and coordination play a vital role in creating the seamless, immersive experience that transports audiences and enchants them.