How Andre Beekmans is redefining the art of live production

As live entertainment continues to move towards more immersive, technology-led experiences, Andre Beekmans and The Art of Light are helping redefine the role of visual production in contemporary show design.

Working at the intersection of creativity, technology, music and technical execution, Beekmans specialises in large-scale productions where lighting, visuals, effects, stage design and storytelling work together as a single experience. Rather than treating these elements as separate layers, his approach is centred on creating a visual language that supports the music, strengthens the identity of a production and keeps the audience engaged from beginning to end.

That interest in the mechanics of live entertainment began early. Concerts, touring productions and large-scale events gave Beekmans an appreciation for the way production design can alter the atmosphere of an entire space. What started as a fascination with entertainment technology eventually developed into a career focused on creating memorable live moments.

“I was always more interested in the production side of events. Over the years, that passion evolved into wanting to create experiences that people genuinely remember,” Beekmans reflects.

Over the past decade, Beekmans has worked across a broad range of internationally recognised productions, artists and festivals, both independently and through The Art of Light. His credits reflect the increasingly diverse role of lighting within modern entertainment, extending from electronic music and festivals to gaming, orchestral performance and global touring shows.

One of his longest-running collaborations has been with Afrojack, for whom Beekmans worked as Light Designer from 2011 to 2016. The visual direction established during that period continues to inform the production today through The Art of Light, with Light Supervisor Tom Pietermans and Light Operator Siem van Alphen now part of the touring team.

Beekmans was also involved with Electric Zoo New York between 2015 and 2018, working as both Light Designer and Operator during a period in which the festival was establishing itself as one of the key destinations on the international electronic music calendar.

More recently, The Art of Light has expanded into large-scale touring productions beyond the traditional concert and festival circuit. Beekmans serves as Light Designer & Operator on PlayStation: The Concert World Tour, working alongside Light Supervisor Tom Pietermans. The production brings together music, gaming culture, orchestral performance and immersive visual design, requiring the lighting to operate as part of a much broader cinematic production.

The company is also involved in The Witcher in Concert, both in Boston and internationally, with Beekmans working as Light Designer & Operator alongside Light Director Kasper Dijksterhuis. Here, lighting plays a central role in translating the atmosphere and visual world of the game into a live musical setting.

Electronic music remains an important part of The Art of Light's work, too. The team recently completed another year at EDC Las Vegas, handling lighting design and operation for the festival's iconic Cosmic Meadow stage. With the company having maintained the role for nearly a decade, the project has become a long-running creative relationship, with Beekmans serving as Light Designer and Tom Pietermans as Light Supervisor.

For Beekmans, however, the technology is ultimately a means to an emotional end.

“It’s taking a vision or brand and elevating it to another dimension through lights, visuals, effects, audio, and every creative element possible. The audience should feel fully immersed,” he says.

That philosophy is increasingly relevant as audiences become accustomed to experiences that extend well beyond the traditional stage. From festival environments and electronic music shows to gaming and orchestral productions, visual design is no longer simply a backdrop for the performance. It has become an integral part of how audiences experience music, narrative and brand identity in a live setting.

As the global live entertainment sector continues to embrace increasingly sophisticated production techniques, The Art of Light is positioning itself at the intersection of creative ambition and technical innovation. With further international projects in development, Beekmans and his team are continuing to explore how lighting and visual production can turn a live performance into something more encompassing, memorable and emotionally resonant.

The future of live entertainment is becoming more immersive, and Andre Beekmans is already playing a part in shaping it.