Jon Bellion
Forest Hills Stadium
2025
"At Forest Hills, you could feel the crowd lock in with him, a shared energy that made the music bigger than the stage itself."
Fame
Jon Bellion’s sold-out run at Forest Hills Stadium was a powerful return to the stage, marking his largest New York–area performances to date. Across two nights, Bellion transformed Forest Hills Stadium into a shared celebration, bringing thousands of fans together for a show that felt both massive in scale and deeply personal. Set against the open sky in Queens, a ceiling of lighting panels and expansive video screens created the feeling of being inside a recording studio with Jon.
Backed by a dynamic live band, Bellion delivered emotionally charged renditions of new material alongside fan favorites. Custom video content — ranging from raw, cinematic closeups to abstract textures, and typography — played across the screens, reinforcing the intimacy of the performing with Jon and band in a studio. Spontaneous freestyles, surprise collaborations, and genuine crowd interaction made each night feel singular and alive.
Team
How we got there
The team wanted to create an intimate environment on the large stage at Forest Hills Stadium, transforming the space to place Jon and the band in a recording studio-like setting. The creative direction from the artist called for multiple distinct acts throughout the show, each with its own mood and visual identity. One of these acts was fueled by music improvised live by Jon, requiring the design to feel flexible, organic, and responsive in the moment. The goal was to make the audience feel as though they were witnessing something personal and spontaneous, despite the scale of the venue.
In order to create this intimate environment, the team installed an imposing video wall that helped visually compress the stage and create a low “ceiling” effect above the band. Panel lighting was incorporated to mimic the look and tone of fluorescent fixtures, further reinforcing the feeling of being inside a working recording room. Across the back of the stage, the designers added a low-profile video wall that allowed silhouettes of the band to emerge throughout the night, giving the performance depth and atmosphere. These layered elements worked together to make the stage feel contained, cinematic, and immersive, supporting both the structured and improvised moments of the show.
Bobby, Allison, and Hank at Front of House
Multi Screens at Front of House
The full Playground team with management
"As one fan put it, 1 Big Show showed humanity, authenticity, emotion, and connection in a world that often forgets about those things."
Corner Circuit
