Hot August Nights
A decades-long partnership powering one of Nevada’s most iconic festivals.
The Partnership
Starsound has been a part of Hot August Nights since the very beginning back in 1986, when the entire event fit into a convention center parking lot. As the festival grew, moving to the University of Nevada, Reno, expanding to the Grand Sierra Resort, and eventually returning to the university grounds this year in 2025 — we grew with it. What started as a small-stage, one-location production has become a citywide celebration of music, motors, and culture, and we've been honored to evolve alongside it every step of the way.
Year-by-Year Evolution
1986–Early 2000s
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Supported the event’s early days with staging, sound, and lights for a single venue.
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Helped transition the festival from a community showcase to a city-recognized destination event.
2000s–2010s
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Expanded to multiple stages across several locations.
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Upgraded audio and lighting infrastructure to support larger crowds and more complex production needs.
2015–2024
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Introduced video wall and IMAG capabilities to elevate audience experience.
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Supported headline musical acts with full-service production while preserving community event intimacy.
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Helped optimize audio design for shared public spaces and VIP areas.
2025 & Beyond
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Planning an interactive, live-streamed automotive learning experience featuring roaming experts, streamed to video walls and online audiences.
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Continuing to scale the event with thoughtful tech that supports the cars, the music, and the magic of the week.
Creative + Technical Highlights
Seamless coordination across multiple venues and performance schedules.
Line Array Systems to cover over 6 Acres!, lighting, video wall, and staging packages customized for each stage. Same as above, the addition of not only Side stage IMAG walls, to immerse the concert goer in a larger than life guitar solo, but additional video walls halfway through the venue to expand the experience to viewers 500 feet away from the stage - Include picture of the video walls
Sound design optimized to throw further distances and enhance the guest experience.
Dedicated crew for non-touring acts, including FOH, monitor engineers, and LDs.
Strategic planning to blend spectacle with comfort for all guests.
Client Collaboration
Our relationship with Hot August Nights is a true partnership. We’ve worked closely with the organizers not only to meet technical needs, but to dream up new ways to engage the crowd, highlight the cars, and bring more to the stage each year. We’ve helped shape the production side of this iconic event without ever losing the community-driven spirit that makes it special.
We are a proud Title Sponsor for the 2025 celebration of cars and culture at Hot August Nights!
Gear + Services Provided
Full production packages for Main Stage and multiple satellite stages
PA systems (JBL VTX), lighting rigs (Robe, ClayPaky, ADJ), and Absen video walls
Mobile staging
Full crew staffing for audio and lighting
Sound array strategies for multi-zone guest experience
Artist-ready backline services in partnership with Rocket Sound
The Impact
Through 30+ years of collaboration, Hot August Nights has grown into a nationally recognized celebration — and we’ve been proud to help power its evolution. What began as a simple sound setup is now a multi-venue, layered technology production backed by a deep relationship built on trust, flexibility, and creative momentum. This is what it looks like when production meets partnership — and when great events are built to last.
"Starsound brings the energy, the experience, and the partnership we trust.”
— Kathy, Hot August Nights Team
Gallery: Hot August Nights
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Include shots from multiple years, behind-the-scenes moments, and crowd/audience POVs.
