Review: Wild — The Drone Light Show at the County Cricket Ground

Sussex News was invited to see “Wild — The Drone Light Show” at the County Cricket Ground.

Whilst my colleague was capturing photos and video, it was my job to do a review.

So here we go, It was one of the most visually ambitious events I’ve seen there in a long time. The show blended cutting-edge drone choreography with a cinematic soundtrack, using the night sky as a canvas to bring larger-than-life animal imagery to life. From the moment it began, hundreds of drones from.the 760 used throughout the show, lifted, swooped and shifted into intricate formations — from soaring eagles to powerful elephants — instantly setting a dramatic tone.

At its strongest moments, the show was genuinely stunning. The precision involved was impressive, particularly when entire formations transformed smoothly from one animal to another. Against the dark sky, the colours were sharp and vibrant, and the scale of the display delivered several real “wow” moments. The theme — a journey through wild landscapes and creatures — gave the whole performance a sense of structure rather than it just being a sequence of light patterns.

The soundtrack played a big role in that atmosphere. It gave the show a cinematic feel and helped it feel more like a visual story unfolding above the ground than a simple technical demonstration. I also appreciated it as a modern alternative to fireworks — visually exciting without the loud bangs, making it feel more environmentally considerate and accessible.

That said, the experience wasn’t without its issues. Where you sit or stand makes a huge difference, from certain angles some of the drone formations don’t come across as clearly or as impressively as they should. This is something that really impacts how immersive the show feels.

The lighting was also an issue with flats behind often being brighter than the drone lights, and the spotlights at ground level also being a distraction.

The audio, while effective in parts, could have been clearer. In such a large open venue, the sound didn’t always feel evenly balanced, which meant the music didn’t fully wrap around the experience in the way it was clearly intended to.

The length of the show also felt slightly underwhelming. While it was tightly packed with visuals and creativity, it ended sooner than I expected, and I would have liked a longer or more dramatic finale to really round things off and leave a lasting final impression.

Overall, Wild — The Drone Light Show is an impressive and forward-thinking event that shows how live entertainment is evolving. It’s visually striking, family-friendly, and a refreshing change from traditional fireworks. With better sightlines, improved audio coverage, and a slightly longer runtime, it has the potential to be a standout highlight — but even as it stands, it’s a memorable night spent watching the sky come alive.