The Drone Show Initiative at Arizona State University (ASU) began in Fall 2023 with a groundbreaking partnership between the Herberger Institute and Nova Sky Stories (NSS)—a creative drone company founded by Kimbal Musk. Together, they brought ASU’s first-ever drone light show to life during the ASU vs. USC football halftime performance, celebrating the 50th anniversary of Elton John’s Goodbye Yellow Brick Road. Set to live music by the Sun Devil Marching Band, the drones painted vivid animations in the night sky, synchronized to the music and stadium lights, electrifying the crowd and creating an unforgettable experience for tens of thousands of spectators.

This collaboration was made possible through a generous donation from the Swette family and the visionary support of  Professor Ana Herruzo, who specializes in large-scale, interactive audiovisual environments.

Despite the tight production timeline and technical challenges—including FAA constraints, bounding box limitations, and animating within a restricted airspace—the team of student designers and engineers developed a compelling, narrative-driven performance. The success of this event not only showcased the power of creative technology but also marked the beginning of a transformative new medium at ASU: sky storytelling.