Raj @ embedded-lab.com build an ESP8266 based led matrix display. This matrix is a modification of his previous bluetooth version and uses an ESP8266 as a web server to setup the display message. No other microcontroller is used to control the display so things are kept simple and easy to build your own.
This project is a modification of my previous Bluetooth-enabled LED matrix display project, which used 8×64 monochromatic LED matrix (total 512 LEDs) for displaying scrolling text message. The original project used Bluetooth for display data transfer from a smartphone, but this one now uses Wifi. The display message is sent through web browser to a ESP8266 module that is configured as a web-server. No Arduino or any other microcontroller is used. ESP8266 alone works as a WiFi server and drives the MAX7219-based LED matrices.
ESP8266 Wifi enabled 8×64 pixel LED matrix display – [Link]