How INFiLED LED Panels Transformed MJ the Musical in Hamburg

Overview

Michael Jackson’s legacy continues to shine, and through the Tony Award®-winning MJ The Musical , his music, moves, and story come to life on stage. The show, which has traveled to New York City and London, began its run in Hamburg at the Stage Theater an der Elbe in December 2024, celebrating his artistry.

In partnership with Blue-i Group, a leading supplier of event theatre technology, and our long-time partner Stage Entertainment, we contributed to the Hamburg production by providing a large-scale LED screen. The setup featured 286 panels from our AR Series with a 3.9mm pixel pitch.

The Hamburg show MJ – Das Michael Jackson Musical was a resounding success, receiving rave reviews from national press and Michael Jackson’s fans for its high production values and stunning visual effects.

To explore the impact of our AR3.9 panels, we spoke with Ethan Forde, European Sales Director at Blue-i Group, to understand how our LED technology contributed to this high-profile and complex production.

About Blue-i Group

Blue-i Group is a highly respected expert in audiovisual technology, boasting over 20 years of experience in supplying equipment for theatres and live events. The company has collaborated with top agencies and clients, including the RSC, National Theatre, Secret Cinema, and West End theatres, helping to create some of the world’s most remarkable live experiences.

As one of our trusted long-term partners, Blue-i Group has worked with Stage Entertainment on multiple productions, including Tina – The  Tina Turner Musical, Disney´s Tarzan, and Disney´s Hercules . 

About the Show: MJ – Das Michael Jackson Musical

MJ The Musical is a  musical that explores Michael Jackson’s creative process leading up to his Dangerous World Tour in 1992. Featuring iconic hits like “Beat It,” “Billie Jean,” “Bad,” “Smooth Criminal,” and “Thriller,” the Broadway sensation won four Tony Awards® and made its German premiere in Hamburg at the Stage Theater an der Elbe in December 2024.

The Challenge

The visual design was critical to delivering the immersive experience of the show. Vibrant, concert-style animations needed to transition seamlessly into intimate, dramatic scenes, showcasing different eras and providing context for key moments in Michael Jackson’s life and career.

This required dynamic LED screens that could work in harmony with projection mapping while integrating digital content with real-time physical scenery. The production also demanded flawless synchronization and vivid rendering.

Reliability was another key concern due to the high number of performances . Ethan explains:

“Because this is a long running production, with 8 performances each week , we needed LED panels that were highly reliable. The screens had to perform consistently without the need for frequent maintenance or servicing.”

Solution: “Smooth Criminal” – INFiLED AR3.9

When Blue-i Group evaluated the production’s requirements, they opted to upgrade the display solution to INFiLED’s AR3.9 series. After a successful demo, the video designer Peter Nigrini was impressed by the visual impact, leading to the installation of 286 panels (13,000mm x 11,000mm) for the Hamburg performance.

Key Features of AR3.9 That Contributed to the Show:

• 5,000-nit Brightness:

The high brightness delivered vivid visuals, ensuring every detail was visible, even under intense stage lighting. Ethan noted, “ the image quality was phenomenal,” highlighting how this level of brightness—typically used outdoors—proved perfect for indoor use.

• 10-bit Color Depth:

The AR3.9 panels captured a full spectrum of colors with exceptional accuracy. Ethan remarked,

“This was crucial, as the colors had to pop and blend seamlessly with the stage design, especially during the high-energy moments. ”With long gradients of colour covering the full 13 meters of screen, it was crucial that there was no banding. The end result was stunning, reproducing colours, just as expected.

• High Reliability and Low Maintenance:

The AR3.9 panels consistently delivered outstanding performance throughout the install, requiring minimal maintenance while enduring the rigors of 8 performances and multiple rehearsals each week.

“Even after years of continuous use of the LED screens of INFiLED, they are still able to match the need of an 8 show per week run”, explained by Karsten Walter, Production Video Engineer at Stage Entertainment.

• Superior Visual Performance in Real-Time Scenarios:

The AR3.9’s ability to mirror intricate details, such as a scenic moving bridge on stage, ensured every real-time visual detail was flawlessly rendered.

• Seamless Integration with Industry-Leading Partners:

The AR3.9 panels worked seamlessly with Brompton Technology’s processors and Disguise media servers, enabling smooth workflows that supported the show’s technical demands.

The Impact: “Man in the Mirror” – Simply Magical!

The integration of INFiLED AR3.9 screens elevated the audience experience to extraordinary heights. Reviewers and fans praised the show’s emotional depth and the unique ability to recapture the spirit of their idol.

As one audience member shared:

“Every emotion was tangible, every scene was perfectly executed – I was thrilled and even had to hold back a tear or two. The visual design was breathtaking, creating a unique atmosphere that truly brought the show to life.”

Conclusion

Reflecting on the project, Ethan shares, “For productions like this, the right screen is crucial. INFiLED’s AR3.9 LED screens delivered exceptional brightness and color accuracy, bringing the creative vision to life. The integration with Brompton and Disguise was also key to achieving a flawless production.”

Brompton and Disguise are our long-standing partners, and we take great pride in seeing how our close collaboration has enhanced workflows and experiences in real-world applications. 

Additionally, our partnership with Blue-i Group and Stage Entertainment was equally invaluable in this production. As Karsten Walter remarked,

“Our partnership with Blue-i Group, strengthened by their close connection with INFiLED, allows us to rely on good and productive communication in specification processes and a fast supply chain in case issues occur.”

From LED display processors to content controllers, event experts to artists, we are honored to collaborate with partners across various fields to deliver unforgettable experiences and the best shows possible.