Bhopal-based Phoenix Networks has become the first company in Central India to invest in the DDR 86 roof truss system from Giant Truss. Phoenix wasted no time in putting the advanced system to work, rigging the DDR 86 for four back-to-back mega-productions — beginning with Honey Singh’s concert in Indore, followed by a rapid deployment for another Honey Singh show in Ahmedabad, then on to the vibrant Zomaland festival in Indore, and culminating with the highly demanding Arijit Singh concert, also in Indore.
From the dry heat of Gujarat to the storm-prone plains of Madhya Pradesh, each show came with its own set of challenges, but the DDR 86 proved to be a versatile piece of kit.
For Arijit Singh’s Indore concert, the team at Phoenix Networks, led by Founder Director Animesh Mishra, faced down punishing weather conditions as strong winds swept through the venue in the lead-up to Arijit’s performance. With gusts breaching 70 km/h and sustained winds averaging 23 km/h, this was no ordinary outdoor rig. But far from being daunted, the Phoenix team leaned into their preparation and experience, proactively redesigning structural elements to counteract wind loads and adding extra ballast for improved anchoring. High atop the truss, wind meters constantly monitored real-time conditions while automated alerts ensured every deviation was met with rapid response. All of this, while never compromising on the rig’s aesthetic or its ability to support a full-scale, immersive stage design that matched Arijit Singh’s musical grandeur.
“The DDR 86 isn’t just a piece of equipment — it’s a shift in what’s possible for large-format event productions in this region. Deploying it for Arijit’s concert was about more than just infrastructure. It was about setting a new benchmark, one where technical sophistication, structural reliability, and artistic ambition align!” exclaimed Mishra.
The accelerated timeline meant the DDR 86 system was delivered directly to site for the Honey Singh show — a full-scale concert and, effectively, a live learning for the Phoenix crew. From structural dynamics to modular rigging, load distribution, and wind compliance, the crew immersed themselves in not just on-site learning, but the nuances of safely designing and deploying the imposing DDR 86 system. And by the time Arijit’s Indore concert rolled around; the team had already grasped the deployment, executing the full rig independently, and under significantly harsher weather conditions.
“This wasn’t a fluke or a fortunate outcome. It’s the culmination of years of Phoenix Networks investing in talent, systems, and a zero-compromise culture. As a unit, we have long demonstrated an aptitude for solving high-pressure production puzzles, most notably during Ed Sheeran’s groundbreaking Mathematics Tour in Mumbai, and the Kathmandu Music Festival in Nepal” noted Mishra.
With over 55,000 fans packed into the Mahalaxmi Race Course and a rotating 360-degree stage rigged with over 160 Meyer Sound Panther and Leopard line arrays, Phoenix showed it could match international standards on Indian soil. Its subsequent foray into Nepal for the Kathmandu Music Festival, complete with snow blizzards, border logistics and altitude-induced challenges, further reinforced its capability.
“Our job is never just to build — it’s to anticipate, to adapt, and to elevate,” Mishra reflected “From the first ballast to the final note ringing out across the venue, our team owned every inch of the production. Safety, beauty, and strength — all executed to the millimetre. And this milestone isn’t just a feather in the cap for Phoenix Networks — it’s a call to the broader Indian live events industry to reimagine what’s possible, even in regions and climates that have traditionally been considered secondary.”
