The spectacular Warnie tribute in Adelaide that put Melbourne to shame

A spectacular drone show illuminated the sky in Adelaide with Shane Warne’s likeness. But where is Melbourne’s version?

Shane Warne in the drone show, Horizons, at Illuminate Adelaide. Picture: Nui Te Koha.

The pilot behind Australia’s biggest ticketed drone show says Melbourne is stuck “behind the eight ball” when it comes to light and sound spectaculars.

Sam Nuttall, a drone pilot for AGB Creative, oversaw Horizons, a world-first drone light show that sold out two performances at Adelaide Oval on Friday night.

The 30-minute spectacular, part of the Illuminate Adelaide festival, paid tribute to SA legends including cricket icon Don Bradman, tennis champion Lleyton Hewitt, AFL stars Andrew McLeod, Byron Pickett, and Erin Philips, and astronaut Andy Thomas.

Come on ... Lleyton Hewitt in the drone show, Horizons, at Illuminate Adelaide. Picture: Nui Te Koha

Spaceman Andy Thomas in the drone show, Horizons, at Illuminate Adelaide. Picture: Nui Te Koha

Shane Warne in the Horizons drone show at Illuminated Adelaide. Picture: Supplied

The show also acknowledged late spin king — and Victorian — Shane Warne.

“This is the biggest ticketed drone show in Australia,” Mr Nuttall said. “Drone shows are still a new beast for Australia. We’re hoping this is the first drone show of many around the country.”

Mr Nuttall said Melbourne was “behind the eight ball” with ticketed drone shows. He has staged shows in Sydney, and will light up Brisbane next.

AGB Creative drone pilot, Sam Nuttall, at Adelaide Oval. Picture: Nui Te Koha.

“Melbourne needs a good drone show,” Mr Nuttall added. “But these shows need the support of government, they need funding. Illuminate has been brave to do it. It’s a spectacle and a unique experience.”

But Mr Nuttall said Melbourne’s embarrassing drone show fail two years ago still haunts the industry.

That show — a drone display to support the Matildas ahead of the Women’s Football World Cup — was wrecked by strong winds, which sent 427 drones crashing into the water.

“It’s unfortunate. No-one wants to see that,” Mr Nuttall said. “It was bad for the industry. There were so many knock on effects. People who were going to do drone shows said, ‘It’s too risky.’ But it’s not. All drone shows are not created equal.”

Originally published as The spectacular Warnie tribute in Adelaide that put Melbourne to shame