Some fixtures make an impression the moment they hit the stage. That was the case for the GLP Mad Maxx, which made its North American live debut during Playboi Carti’s headline set at Rolling Loud LA. LD Marcus Jessup integrated eight Mad Maxx fixtures into the show, delivering a lighting package designed to keep up with the intensity of Carti’s performance.
The GLP Mad Maxx: Built For Scale
At its core, the Mad Maxx is engineered for big moments. Designed to compete with traditional xenon searchlights, it delivers that same massive aerial presence—but with a creative toolkit that takes it far beyond just brute force. Its 19 individually controlled LEDs, each with its own color wheel, make it one of the most flexible high-output fixtures available. It provides the precision and power usually reserved for dedicated beam fixtures, but with far greater control and creative potential.
We’ve put the Mad Maxx through its paces before, including a test in the California desert to see just how far we could push it. But testing in a controlled environment is one thing—seeing it hold its own in a full-scale live performance is another.
Why Mad Maxx? LD Marcus Jessup’s Vision
When designing Carti’s show, Marcus Jessup was looking for a fixture that could match the intensity and unpredictability of the set while maintaining strong visual identity.
“For Playboi Carti’s set, I needed a fixture that could match the raw energy and unpredictability of his performance. The GLP Mad Maxx gave me the versatility to create both chaotic, high-impact moments and eerie, atmospheric looks that perfectly complemented the show’s aesthetic.” – Marcus Jessup
Beyond just power and flexibility, this was also the first time the Mad Maxx had been used in a live show in North America—a fitting debut for one of the biggest hip-hop performances of the year.
A Massive Show for a Massive Release
Rolling Loud LA was the show to watch, coming right off the heels of Playboi Carti’s new album Music, his first LP in five years. And let’s be real—this wasn’t just any album drop.
It broke Spotify’s single-day streaming record for 2025
It delivered 30 tracks of pure Carti energy
It pulled a wild lineup of guests for the live debut
At Hollywood Park, Carti brought The Weeknd, Skepta, and Kai Cenat on stage, giving fans a first look at his new collaborations. The Weeknd joined him for their track Rather Lie (plus their chart-topping hit Timeless), Skepta ran through Toxic, and Kai Cenat got a custom YVL chain straight from Carti. And while all of that was happening, the Mad Maxx fixtures were cutting through the chaos.
The North American Debut: A Bold Statement
For Carti’s set, eight GLP Mad Maxx fixtures were positioned four on each side of the stage. Their job? Elevate the visuals to an entirely new level.
And that’s exactly what they did.
“The Mad Maxx is unlike anything else—its power, beam control, and strobe capabilities made it the ultimate tool for this show. The unparalleled brightness and output meant I could cut through everything, making a bold visual statement no matter what was happening on stage. I also knew we’d be activating the roof of SoFi Stadium, so I wanted fixtures that could compete with that scale and deliver the same kind of massive impact within the performance itself.” – Marcus Jessup
With output capable of cutting through large-scale festival production and flexible control for dynamic pixel effects, the Mad Maxx delivered a level of depth and intensity that no other fixture could match.
Seeing It in Action: A Whole New Perspective
We’ve seen the Mad Maxx in controlled environments before—our desert test showed just how much flexibility and output the fixture has. We also caught glimpses of it during The Weeknd’s Grammys performance, where it proved its value in a broadcast setting.
But this was the first time seeing it on a festival stage, in the elements, in real-world conditions. One of the standout features? The pixel effects.
Each LED module has its own independent control, meaning you can create dynamic motion effects inside the beam.
Because of the individual optics, you don’t lose output when turning off certain pixels.
Even a single pixel still cuts through the air like a full-face beam.
Final Thoughts
Playboi Carti’s Rolling Loud LA set was already one of the most anticipated performances of the year. With GLP’s Mad Maxx integrated into the show, it also became a showcase for what’s possible when powerful design meets the right fixture.
From testing in the desert to holding its own on a festival stage, the Mad Maxx is proving exactly what it was designed for—delivering massive impact in high-profile environments. And after this debut, it’s clear: we’re going to be seeing a lot more of it.
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