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21 March 2025

UK - Built on 13 years of audio research and four years of video data, the 2025 edition of the RH Consulting (RHC) report provides a detailed analysis of the adoption of audio and video networking protocols into manufacturer products. Compiled by leading audio consultants and engineers at RHC and considered a benchmark document by industry professionals, the report contains an analysis of 6,942 networked AV products across 676 brands.

“One of the headline findings from this year’s report is that we can now consider audio networking adoption for professional audio products to be complete,” confirms Roland Hemming, audio consultant at RHC. “There is a massive choice of networked audio products available in all categories, and in our opinion, the next increase we can expect to see in coming years is the adoption of the technology in sectors suc

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21 March 2025

Estonia - Void Acoustics has announced its new partnership with RGB Baltic as its distributor for Estonia. This partnership marks a significant step in Void’s continued global expansion and will strengthen its presence in The Baltic States.

Based in Tallinn, RGB Baltic has established itself as a premier AV solutions provider. With over 20 years of industry experience and a team of more than 50 AV professionals, the company has delivered audio-visual installations across a range of sectors, including high-end corporate environments and entertainment venues. Notable projects include turnkey AV solutions for Bentley car dealerships and complete production of the Estonian Final for Eurovision entry.

The partnership between Void Acoustics and the Estonian-based distributor began during ISE 2024 in Barcelona. Impressed by the products Void Acoustics unv

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21 March 2025

USA - Harman Professional Solutions brand products made a major impact at SXSW 2025, powering some of the festival’s top music venues with JBL Professional, Soundcraft, and AKG. This marked Harman’s most significant presence at the festival in years, reinforcing its commitment to delivering world-class audio experiences.

One of the most significant activations at this year’s festival was Rolling Stone’s Future of Music at ACL Live at the Moody Theatre. Over the course of four days, the event featured a powerhouse lineup, including performances by Benson Boone, Megan Moroney, Ivan Cornejo, Rema, and more. The venue’s sound was elevated by JBL Professional’s flagship VTX line array system, with 24 VTX A12s serving as the main loudspeakers, 24 VTX A8s deployed as side clusters, and 15 VTX B28s ground-stacked subwoofers. Additionall

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21 March 2025

Bahrain - A large complement of Claypaky lighting fixtures was on hand for the celebration hosted by the State of Kuwait at Bahrain National Stadium, following the victory of the Bahrain national team at football’s 26th Arabian Gulf Cup, the second win in Bahraini football history.

The reception was attended by His Majesty the King and many notables in sports and government. Fans went wild cheering the team which scored a victory over Oman to achieve their second title in six years.

Faalyat Event Management was the main event organiser. Showtech Productions W.L.L., an event management company in Bahrain, produced the gala event and provided the lighting design and fixtures. Lawrence Rodricks, CEO of Showtech, was the lighting designer. Claypaky fixtures included 40 Skylos, 40 Xtylos, and 40 Scenius Profiles. 

Alex Douglas, a freelance ligh

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21 March 2025

Australia - Kevin Northrup, lighting designer for Luke Combs, chose an array of Ayrton fixtures, MDG theONE and Atmosphere HO foggers/hazers, and grandMA3 consoles for the singer-songwriter’s recent stadium tour of Australia and New Zealand. All of the brands are exclusively distributed in North America by ACT Entertainment.

The Winston Salem, North Carolina-based Northrup has been working with Combs since his headline arena show in Asheville in 2017 and was lighting designer for Combs’ 2023 Australian arena tour. The new tour played eight dates in January and February in Auckland, Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne.

The show continued the look established by production designer Ollie Metcalfe for Combs’s 2023 North American stadium tour. “We knew that looked good, would work and fit the timeline we had,” says Northrup. “Luke likes to do real

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21 March 2025

UK - IPS (Impact Production Services) has announced the addition of the Martin MAC Viper XIP to its lighting rental stock. In response to strong customer demand, this latest addition to the Martin lineup introduces an LED source, IP-rated version of the classic Viper fixture family, enhancing all the best attributes of previous models.

Included as part of IPS’s Technical Production and Dry Hire service, the addition of the MAC Viper XIP expands IPS’s inventory, providing event professionals with access to advanced lighting technology suitable for a variety of applications.

IPS head of lighting, Davis Cmoch, highlighted the technical capabilities of the new fixture stating: “The new Viper XIP boasts Framing Shutters as standard, a key feature that previously set the Performance fixture apart from the Profile version. Additionally, its impressive

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21 March 2025

The Netherlands - Two key performance spaces – Odeon and Spiegel – in the bustling Netherlands regional epicentre of Zwolle, chose Robe moving lights as a vital element of their transition to LED lighting, with the purchase of six T1 Profiles, 18 x Painte Profiles, 24 x LEDBeam 350s and 24 x LEDBeam FWQ 150 Washes, all delivered by Robe’s Benelux distributor, Controllux.

Discussions related to the move to LED started in 2022, and Zwolle Theatre’s head of technical Dennis Bouwhuis and head of lighting Jan Willem Jansen explained that, as they already had some older Robe moving lights – ColorWash 250s and ColorSpot 700s – in the inventory, they had already known the brand for a long time and enjoyed its reliability.

The Zwolle Theatre dates back to 1869 and also has the Hanzestrohm Hall (AKA the ‘Small Hall’) for 457 people, one of the

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21 March 2025

Germany - Michael Jackson’s legacy continues to shine, and through the Tony Award-winning MJ The Musical, his music, moves, and story come to life on stage. The show, which has travelled to New York City and London, began its run in Hamburg at the Stage Theater an der Elbe in December 2024.

In partnership with Blue-i Group, and long-time partner Stage Entertainment, INFiLED contributed to the Hamburg production by providing a large-scale LED screen. The setup featured 200 panels from our AR Series with a 3.9mm pixel pitch.

The Hamburg show MJ – Das Michael Jackson Musical was a success, receiving positive reviews from national press and Michael Jackson’s fans for its high production values and visual effects.

The visual design was critical to delivering the immersive experience of the show. Vibrant, concert-style anima

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21 March 2025

Lithuania - High-profile politicians and dignitaries from across Europe attended a special event in Vilnius to mark a shift in the Baltic states’ power grid in February, with Green Hippo’s Hippotizer Media Servers energising the visuals.

Energy Independence Day celebrated decades of work by Baltic states Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia and the EU to connect power to Europe rather than Russia. As Polish President Andrzej Duda and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen addressed the press, a highly synchronised and video effect-laden show was presented, by creative technical storytellers at Lithuania-based Marfa Lights.

Andrius Stasiulis, founder of Marfa Lights and his team sourced a Hippotizer Boreal+ MK2 Media Server from Vilnius-based Video Projektai to run the visual elements of the event, which was held at the Vilnius LITEX

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21 March 2025

France - Nearly 30 years ago, Mathieu Kassovitz's film La Haine influenced an entire generation of French youth, winning the 1995 Cannes Film Festival award for Best Director and the European Film Award for the Discovery of the Year, before rapidly becoming a classic of French cinema.

At the end of 2024, this cult film took to the stage in the form of an immersive and explosive musical, combining dance, rap, film and theatre – La Haine, Jusqu'ici rien n'a changé (La Haine, Nothing Has Changed So Far), produced by La Haine Production, with Live Nation as the executive producer. In this theatrical adaptation, 15 scenes follow a group of three friends from a rough suburb in Paris, against the background of an impactful original soundtrack. At the heart of this artistic feat lies a technological p

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21 March 2025

China - The popularity of Karaoke Television, more commonly referred to as KTV, continues to grow around the world.

Covering a total area of 30,000sq.m, the recently opened Skyline venue in the Chinese city of Hangzhou is the largest single party and KTV entertainment complex in the world. Spread across four floors, it comprises a combination of small, medium, and large party spaces, including KTV rooms created for private and business customers. Audio specialist Zhejiang Tongbo Vision Technology was engaged to install the audio requirements of this large and prestigious project. Coda Audio systems were chosen to meet the demands of every space.

The Tongbo team faced many challenges. The sheer size of the complex including its many high ceilings and large floor areas required careful audio planning and design. The installation began in 2022 and took

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21 March 2025

Czech Republic - Pioneering Czech Art Nouveau painter-illustrator Alfons (Alphonse) Mucha is famous for his monumental canvases depicting the history of the Slavic peoples. 

The Parisian period of Mucha's life serves as the inspiration for I Art Nouveau, a visual experience from the creators of the popular show Vivaldianno, led by Michal Dvořák, a member of the Czech rock band Lucie. 

I Art Nouveau takes 21st century audiences at Prague's Hybernia Theatre on an unforgettable journey back in time to Art Nouveau's golden age in Paris. 

Indeed, those who see I Art Nouveau often feel like they have stepped into the glamorous world of one of Mucha's posters, with its sleek daring styles and urbane sophistication. But this enchanting magic does not rise from artwork alone. There is also music, dance

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21 March 2025

Bahrain - From the Mediterranean to the shores of Bahrain, Lyra brings the wonders of Greek dining to a new setting overlooking Marassi Beach in the Vida Hotel.

From sizzling charcoal grills to shareable small dishes and seafood salads, diners explore the traditional flavours of the Mediterranean and enjoy signature cocktails inspired by the rich mythology of Greek flora.

The soundtrack to this relaxed dining experience is provided by ultra-compact Nexo ID14 speakers inside the venue while outside on the dining terrace, ePS6-EN54 speakers from Nexo’s ePS Outdoor range provide high-quality audio along with a high degree of protection from the admittedly benign Bahrain climate.

However, although Bahrain experiences very little rainfall, the high summer temperatures in a primarily desert environment can be challenging for speakers open to the

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21 March 2025

USA - Opened in 2024, Urban Dog Bar in Nashville features a pet-friendly patio and a doggy play area. They also offer ‘dog-centric events’ throughout the year, including their aptly named New Year’s Eve Ball Drop, which involves dropping tennis balls from the roof – much to the delight of canine attendees.

Before opening, venue staff contacted Joseph Hazelwood, founder of Hazelwood Laboratories, to design an audio system for their indoor and outdoor areas. The bar wanted audio capabilities for a wireless handheld mic, background music, and TV audio, with local zone control for specific areas like the bar and outdoor play area. Future accommodation for DJs to be able to play live music was also a necessity. Hazelwood knew Connect Series amplifiers from LEA Professional were more than up to the task.

“I use LEA amplifiers for every p

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21 March 2025

USA - The 2025 edition of The Maine’s 8123 Fest transformed the Mesa Amphitheatre in Arizona into an electrifying experience enhanced by ADJ Lighting’s Jolt Panel FX, Jolt Bar FX, and 32 HEX Panel IP fixtures. Utilised to extend the video elements of the show across the entire stage, these fixtures played a crucial role in production/lighting designer Carlos Katsurayama’s rig, creating an immersive visual spectacle for fans of the alt rock band.

Founded in 2007, The Maine is associated with a variety of rock music genres, especially alternative, pop punk and emo. The band has built a dedicated following through their heartfelt anthems and strong fan engagement, which reaches its zenith at their very own festival, 8123 Fest. First held in 2017, to celebrate the band’s 10th anniversary, 8123 Fest has become a biannual gathering of The Maine’

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21 March 2025

UK - TSL Lighting has introduced three key additions to its team: Matt Farquhar, Jamie Wells, and Luke McCreary. Each of them brings considerable industry experience and knowledge, fresh perspectives, and a shared commitment to enhancing the efficiency and quality of operations.

Farquhar joined TSL in June 2024 as head of operations, overseeing IT, transport, warehouse, assets, and projects. With over 50 members of staff under his leadership and five managers, including Wells and McCreary, reporting directly to him. Farquhar plays a crucial role in driving operational efficiency and keeping TSL’s business operations aligned with growth targets.

“It’s always a bit unnerving not knowing what kind of team you’re coming into, but I’ve loved starting at TSL,” says Farquhar. “It’s been fantastic – I’ve been made to feel welcome and the

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20 March 2025

South Africa - StageOne has announced its appointment as the official South African distributor for DJ Power stage effects equipment. The distribution deal was finalised during ISE 2025 in Barcelona this past February.

DJ Power is known for its stage effects, including fog machines, flame effects, and confetti solutions, all backed by innovative technology and over 200 international patents. Adding DJ Power to StageOne’s portfolio enhances the company’s ability to offer comprehensive and affordable solutions for live events, concerts, and installations across South Africa.

Peter Berry, managing owner of StageOne, comments: "DJ Power's reputation for reliability and innovation is impressive, and their product range fills a gap in the market for high-quality yet affordable stage effects. We’re thrilled to bring these solutions to South Africa and

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20 March 2025

South Africa - Norwood Productions has recently bolstered its audio capabilities with the acquisition of premium d&b audiotechnik equipment from distributor Stage Audio Works.

This recent investment has expanded the scope of Norwood Productions' involvement in the live events sector, allowing them to serve larger audiences and meet the high international standards of touring artists. Behind these recent investments is an inspirational journey and a story of growth and adaptability, backed by a strong ongoing relationship with Stage Audio Works.

“I started Norwood Productions in 2018 out of my garage with just a small PA system of two tops and two subs. Back then, I was catering largely for corporate events,” recalls Chris Norwood, founder and director at Norwood Productions. “We steadily built the business, adding in some visual elements su

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20 March 2025

USA - L-Acoustics has announced that it has been named for the third time in Fast Company's annual list of the World's Most Innovative Companies of 2025, reaching #2 on the list of top innovative companies in the events, concerts, and live experiences industry, recognised specifically “for changing the way Broadway shows sound.”

The 2025 list celebrates companies that consistently drive innovation and shape the future of their industries – a principle that has guided L-Acoustics since its founding, from pioneering line array technology to today's cutting-edge immersive sound solutions.

"Being recognised by Fast Company as a top innovator for the third time in six years is both an extraordinary honour and a testament to the ongoing commitment to innovation at L-Acoustics," says Laurent Vaissié, CEO at L-Acoustics. "This recogn

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20 March 2025

USA - A ‘groundbreaking entertainment destination’ is set to debut in late 2025. The journey to VAI Resort’s highly anticipated opening night is already underway, with TAIT engineers actively transforming the vision into reality at the Glendale, AZ resort through the cutting-edge infrastructure of the VAI Amphitheatre.

This venue is now open for artist bookings. Designed with the artist’s experience at its core, VAI’s amphitheatre stage – engineered by the live entertainment innovation pioneers at TAIT – ensures that every artist’s needs are met to the highest standard.

Audiences can look forward to ‘an unparalleled connection to live entertainment’, with sweeping views of the stage from the comfort of their luxury hotel suites. Artists will experience a venue built specifically for A-list performances, complete with state-of-the-