Steve Lieberman Bridges Modern and Industrial for Max Styler with Chauvet Professional
USA – Ask AI to describe the design images associated with the term “industrial,” and you’re likely to get something along the lines of “utilitarian elements, steel fabrication, exposed brick and metal piping.” That may be true in most cases, but widely acclaimed EDM designer Steve Lieberman had something quite different in mind when creating his show for chart-topping artist Max Styler at Radius Chicago.
Collaborating with Styler, 1001 Tracklist’s “Top Producer” of 2025, Lieberman strove for what he describes as a “smart industrial aesthetic.” The result was an intensely immersive 3D look that turned out all the muscular power of an industrial EDM design without many of the familiar old-school elements.
“The idea was to create powerful looks without a heavy reliance on moving lights,” said Lieberman. “While we did have a large number of just about everything in this show, the base came from the big push, of blinders and wide shots to cover the audience.”
Providing much of the firepower behind this ‘push’ were 55 Chauvet Professional Strike Array 2C blinders, part of the famous venue’s house rig. “We love working at Radius, our relationship with that team is very strong,” said Lieberman. “Their knowledge of the space and ability to manoeuvre to accommodate designs is unlike other venues. Ownership takes an active role in show development. This is evident in the end results. Without the help of the club, we could not have succeeded in such an ambitious endeavour.
Radius’s high-output Strike Array 2C fixtures fit neatly into Lieberman’s vision to create a pod-style look in the long room, which has a 40-foot wide, multi-level stage, with no video back wall screen, only side panels for IMAG video walls.
“We wanted more of an analogue style look for the show, which is why we have no centre stage video wall,” said Lieberman. “The side screens supported IMAG and notch style camera effects. Radius is a long room and the DJ is presented on a semi-thrust with VIP sections left and right, it’s a vibe. The side screens provide a great opportunity for those in the back to see what’s going on up on stage.”
The Strike Array 2C also contributed to the show’s evocative colour palette that flowed with Max Styler’s music. “This show was mostly warm: red, amber, incandescent, that resulted from conversations with Max,” said Lieberman. “We wanted to ensure that the colours represented the musical expression.”
Discussing the role of the Strike Array 2C in the show, Lieberman said: “It filled the space in the middle of the pods and provided very dramatic effects that lit up the entire space.” He added that the colour changing and strobe functions of the fixture helped create an “analogue look with current technology,” an ideal combination for a show that is both industrial and modern.
