Shooting Stars & Bricks

Sean Bolinger from Christian Faith Center in Federal Way, WA brings us this awesome use of LED strips and brick texture. 

For this set they wanted to do an 80’s urban feel. Sean got the idea to use the brick for a backdrop from watching ‘Next Food Network Star’. Their whole set has a lot of brick lit with LED light and he loved the way it looked on TV. It added more texture than just a flat up-lit wall. Then he knew he wanted to attach LED strips to the front that would mimic old neon tubes that were so popular in 80’s clubs and décor.

They started by buying 4×8’ sheets of fake brick from Home Depot and attaching them to a frame made up of 2×4’s. Lining up the seams and making the sheets look like a solid wall took a bit of time but it wasn’t too difficult. For attaching the LED’s to the wall, they took All-thread and cut it into 8ft strips. Then they took 6in. pieces of All-Thread and welded two pieces on to each 8ft stick. Then they drilled holes in the brick wall and using a nut and washer on each side of the wall. They secured them 4 inches off the wall to give some depth and help the LED’s pop. They took the LED strips and zip tied them to the All-thread with the bottom end of the strip bending around the bottom brace and going back into the wall to give it more of the neon tube look. Then they wired up the LED’s on the backside of the wall.

We already owned the LED bars that are lighting the brick and the LED strips, so the only cost we had was for the brick which is $25 a sheet at Home Depot. We used 15 sheets for our set which is 40 feet wide and 12 feet tall. So overall we only spent around $400 on this set.

How to Build a Faux-Brick LED Stage Wall

This concept works because it combines two different kinds of depth. The molded brick panels create a textured surface that catches uplight, while the LED strips sit several inches forward and read like glowing lines suspended in front of the wall. Before construction, sketch the complete line pattern and mark every pass-through point for power and data. Keeping drivers, controllers, and cable connections behind the scenery gives the audience a clean neon effect while leaving the technical team access for troubleshooting.

Build the scenic wall in manageable framed sections rather than one continuous piece. A 4-by-8-foot module matches the panel size, makes seam alignment easier, and allows volunteers to move or store the scenery safely. Paint exposed framing and visible gaps a dark matte color so the supporting structure disappears under stage lighting. When adjoining panels, dry-fit the brick pattern before fastening anything; even a small vertical offset can make the seam noticeable from the room.

The stand-off method is what gives the LED lines their visual separation. Threaded rod is strong, but every cut end should be deburred and capped, and welded supports should be inspected before installation. Use washers on both sides of the scenic panel to spread the load. If welding is not available, lightweight aluminum channel or securely mounted conduit can create a similar effect. Keep the LED product within its rated bend radius, and use frequent, consistent attachment points so the line stays straight without pinching the strip.

Lighting, Power, and Budget Planning

Use the brick uplights and the front LED lines as separate visual layers. Warm amber or saturated red uplight emphasizes the masonry texture, while a contrasting cyan, magenta, or white on the forward strips makes the linear pattern stand out. Program a few restrained looks before adding chases: a static architectural look, a slow color transition, and a brighter musical look will cover most service moments without distracting from the platform.

Calculate power demand before wiring the wall. Add the wattage of every LED strip at full output, include a safety margin, and distribute the load across correctly rated power supplies and circuits. Label both ends of each cable and provide strain relief where wiring passes through the scenic panels. Any connectors or power supplies should remain ventilated, accessible, and separated from combustible materials. Prices for panels and lighting vary, so build the budget from current local quotes rather than relying on an older material total.

Pro Tips for Brick and LED Stage Designs

Hide seams in shadow: Place panel joints behind a vertical LED line or in a darker part of the lighting composition so minor pattern differences are less visible.

Test one module first: Build and light a single 4-by-8-foot section to confirm spacing, color, brightness, and camera performance before producing the entire wall.

Plan service access: Leave removable rear panels or clear pathways to controllers, power supplies, and connectors so a failed component can be replaced quickly.

Check every viewing angle: Inspect the wall from the front rows, balcony, livestream camera, and side seating; adjust stand-offs or cable routing wherever the illusion breaks.

Related Designs

• Neon Stacks – See how layered glowing forms can create a colorful, contemporary focal point.
• Black and Brick – Explore another high-contrast approach to using brick texture in a worship environment.
• Coro Bricks – Learn how lightweight Coroplast can suggest masonry without the weight of rigid wall panels.
• Floating Bricks – Discover a dimensional brick-inspired backdrop with strong shadows and visual depth.
• Neon Tubes – See another way to use bright linear lighting for a bold, neon-style stage look.

Related: Compare this animated LED treatment with a wraparound star-curtain stage using individually controlled RGBW points of light.