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27 November 2024

Denmark - Grand Joanne Hotel, just a short walk from Copenhagen’s Tivoli Gardens, reopened with a fresh vision from hospitality specialists Midstar AB. The hotel blends heritage, lifestyle, fashion, and design within a restored 19th-century building. At the heart of its new chapter is a Smart IP loudspeaker solution from Genelec that delivers bespoke sound to every corner.

Consultancy and integration firm, Effektgruppen was tasked with bringing yet another ambitious vision to life for Midstar. The brief was for ‘uncompromised sound quality with a sleek design’. “We always begin by understanding the client’s expectations for both the aesthetics and functionality of the sound system,” explains Fredrik Nordström, project manager at Effektgruppen.

“Initially, we designed custom loudspeakers that blended with the décor, but it quickly beca

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27 November 2024

Germany - St. Laurentius Church in Westerwiehe has unveiled a new lighting installation that enhances the spiritual experience with adaptable and dynamic illumination. This transformation, coined ‘Lichterkirche’, integrates advanced Prolights technologies to redefine how visitors engage with the sacred space.

After a year-long renovation, the church now features a state-of-the-art media system by MediaKi, enabling visitors to control personalised lighting and soundscapes via a touchscreen terminal. Spearheaded by Schröder & Partner engineering firm, the project harnesses Prolights' LED fixtures to create effects that range from serene to celebratory.

Key Prolights products deployed in this project include ArcPod 15Q LED floodlights for vibrant sidewall and ceiling washes and ArcPod 27Q LED floodlights illuminating the altar dome.

Arc

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27 November 2024

France - Arbane Groupe is exhibiting at the JTSE trade fair in Paris (27-28 November, Dock Pullman stand #094). The French audio manufacturer will unveil its new line array, specifically designed for large shows and events, alongside a new APG subwoofer and a design method technology.

APG, a brand of Arbane Groupe, will showcase the new Uniline Max line array system, a high-performance audio system dedicated to large-scale events and concerts. The system features the UM210 2x10” line array speaker and the UM121 1x21” subwoofer, both of which deliver exceptional audio clarity and power for audiences of up to 10,000 people. The Uniline Max is the result of over 40 years of constant innovation, collaboration and listening to the needs of the live events industry. The easy-to-use solution meets the highest level of requirements from rental companies, live pe

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27 November 2024

USA - Elation invites lighting professionals to Experience Tomorrow at Booth 2224 at LDI in Las Vegas, where visitors can ‘embark on a journey through lighting’s next frontier’. Elation is providing an immersive booth experience that will transport them to a retro-futuristic spaceport lounge of discovery – ‘a gateway to new worlds where visitors can explore Elation’s latest advancements in professional lighting’.

The spaceport-styled booth balances cutting-edge technology with mid-century aesthetics, evoking an era when excitement for the future was at its peak. Elation product experts will be on hand to help visitors explore Elation’s latest technologies via immersive product demonstrations while ‘an otherworldly light show will dazzle every hour’.

The latest innovations across the Proteus, Fuze, KL, Pulse, Limelight, S

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27 November 2024

UK - INFiLED has announced the expansion of its UK and Ireland team with the appointment of a new vice-president of sales, Nick Shaw, and a sales manager Lee Holland. This growth is in line with INFiLED’s commitment to expand the UK and Ireland market and build its relationships with potential and existing clients and stakeholders.

Nick Shaw, the newly appointed vice-president of sales, brings a wealth of knowledge with his previously held senior roles in sales, business development and operational delivery at companies including Roe Visual, Samsung, NEC and Prysm.

“I was immediately attracted to INFiLED because of its business ethos, and the camaraderie I experienced throughout the interview process. It made the decision to run the UK business easy,” says Shaw. “Given my background in establishing and growing UK operations for similar compan

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26 November 2024

Egypt - 64 Digital Projection Titan 37000 WUXGA laser projectors were at the heart of a 3D projection mapping show, which took place on 26 October at the newly constructed New Administrative Capital Stadium in Egypt.

Located 30 miles east of Cairo, the stadium, aimed to be the centrepiece of the Olympic City, is the largest sports arena in Egypt and the second largest in Africa, seating 93,940 spectators.

For the show, HiLights Group installed an edge-to-edge 3D projection technique that integrated the stadium's floor and walls, into a cohesive display. “The immersive visuals, achieved through meticulous planning and cutting-edge technology, brought a 3D experience to life in a way that had never been attempted in the region,” says Yara Mahran, senior digital marketing specialist at HiLights Group.

The project aimed to create an unforgett

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26 November 2024

UK - Recent changes in product marking regulations have raised questions across industries, particularly for businesses navigating the dual requirements of CE and UKCA markings. On behalf of PLASA, consultant Roland Hemming provides an overview of what these changes mean and offers practical advice for compliance:

For 'Normal Products’ – meaning most products in our industry under the EMC and LV directives: in August 2023, the previous UK government announced indefinite recognition of the CE mark. This means CE-marked products can continue to be used and sold without issue. 

While it remains optional, I recommend companies consider also applying the UKCA mark. The process is minimal – typically just a few additional words in documentation – and provides futureproofing. Should legislation change, having both marks ensures you’re prepared wi

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26 November 2024

France - Amadeus and Holophonix were chosen to design and install a new sound system for the Amphitheater d'O, part of the Domaine d'O – a multidisciplinary arts and entertainment complex in Montpellier, South of France. Because the open-air theatre accommodates up to 1,800 people in a semi-circle of nearly 180°, this presented an electroacoustic challenge for audience coverage and directivity control.

The Amphitheater d'O hosts four major festivals during the spring and summer seasons, including Le Printemps des Comédiens (a theatre festival held throughout June), Folies d'O (a musical theatre festival held in early July), and the Radio France Occitanie Festival (July).

Over the 15 past years, the Amphitheater d'O has been equipped with various traditional front-of-house reinforcement systems, from Amadeus, L-Acoustics

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26 November 2024

USA - Following the success of the recent Be Seen, Be Heard event in London, the Be Seen, Be Heard community is now bringing the conversation to prominent USA trade show, LDI.  

Organised by frame:work, Production Futures, and Disguise, the positive London event was hosted at Bluman Associates, London. It brought together thought leaders, industry pioneers, and emerging talents from the world of entertainment technology and design. Collectively, they presented panel discussions and storytelling sessions. These ignited insightful and forward-looking conversations around the value of diversity in the industry and how that might be achieved sooner rather than later.  

Additionally, the Be Seen, Be Heard manifesto was conceived at the gathering – a progressive living document and a call to action that outlines steps for c

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26 November 2024

France - L'Aéronef, a music venue in Lille, has installed a new L-Acoustics professional sound system with the help of certified partner SLS. This upgrade marks a new era for the venue, blending power and precision in a compact package that enhances sound quality and coverage, invigorating shows for everyone.

Olivier Wils, technical manager at L'Aéronef, comments on the upgrade: "The new L-Acoustics professional sound system significantly improves our audio capabilities. The clarity and coverage are impressive, allowing us to offer an enhanced experience for both artists and audiences."

L'Aéronef, established in 1989, sought to address the challenge of delivering high-quality sound in an intimate setting and with significant rigging constraints. The venue found its solution in the new L-Acoustics L Series, marking the first installation of this sy

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26 November 2024

UK - Concrete Voids at London’s Southbank Centre is described by creator Tony Birch as anti-acoustic. The experimental audio project explores the acoustic possibilities of the empty concrete spaces that surround the Queen Elizabeth Hall auditorium to create an unconventional and organic sound environment. A social media moment and subsequent collaboration with TiMax panLab originator, Dan Higgott, provided the keystone for audio control in the project, which will see the first instalment of commissioned artist performances in March 2025.

The goal was to turn away from traditional soundscape designs and instead celebrate the unique hidden acoustics of the venue. Over the course of a year, sound engineer Birch, who has over 17 years of experience within the Queen Elizabeth Hall auditorium space, positioned a variety of repurposed and custom-built sp

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26 November 2024

Namibia - Jared Geyser has been behind many successful businesses in Namibia, including festivals and bars, for a number of years. But it was when his son, Guy, left university in Cape Town and wanted to get involved in a New Year’s Eve festival a couple of years back, that they first forged a relationship with Martin Audio loudspeakers. Shortly after, their company Plug & Play Event Solutions was set up in the capital of Windhoek to further develop their interest in PA and backline.

A friend in South Africa had tested Martin Audio products and recommended them. “So we bought Blackline XP12 and XP118 active subs, and eventually ended up owning 20,” said Jared. “While they are great speakers, they obviously couldn’t do the bigger work, so we then bought a Torus system.” But the latest prize is the acquisition of a flagship WPC line array – 2

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26 November 2024

Germany - The 30th anniversary of Prolight + Sound is all about fresh impetus. From 8 to 11 April 2025, the expo will present a newly designed and expanded area for theatre and stage technology that combines four central aspects: exhibition, education, knowledge transfer and networking. Visitors can expect an inspiring platform for exchange between generations and industry experts, as well as a comprehensive range of innovative products and services.

An integral part of the concept is the ‘Theatre College’, which offers expert knowledge on relevant topics with high-quality, bilingual seminars and workshops – realised in collaboration with leading industry associations. The new Theatre Stage is the centrepiece, where presentations and the Theatre Talk invites exhibitors and the trade audience to exchange ideas. The Networking Area, with daily events and

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26 November 2024

UK - The recently opened Kingpins in Manchester’s Arndale Centre – the largest establishment to date in the estate of UK sports venue brand, Roxy Leisure – has opted once again for Linea Research amplifiers. Leeds-based Audioserv, the group’s audio supplier and integrator for over a decade, installed a zoned and distributed audio system, powered and intelligently controlled by a system of Linea Research amplification and Symmetrix.

Audioserv’s founder and MD, Pete Rollinson, explained that the audio for the new Kingpins followed a similar template to its sister brand venues across the UK, with distributed audio throughout the venue, from the front door to the furthest gaming area and on to the restrooms. “Having worked on all of the Roxy and Kingpins sites so far, the brief for the audio generally stays very similar. There's no stage, so there is

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26 November 2024

UK - Celestion has announced that the popular TFX0412 4” ferrite magnet coaxial driver is now available for individual purchase through retailers. With a rigid pressed steel chassis, the TFX0412 is a fully combined LF loudspeaker and HF compression driver that provides a very cost-effective solution for a variety of applications requiring compact, discreet sound reinforcement.

The TFX0412 features 1.25” diameter LF and 1” diameter HF copper clad aluminium voice coils powered by a common magnet motor assembly, where the same magnet is used for both the LF and HF elements. This enables the voice coils and hence the acoustic centres of the two transducers to be brought as close together as possible, delivering further improvements in signal coherence and time alignment, for a more natural sounding audio reproduction.

With the delivery of both low-

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26 November 2024

USA - LED Studio is set to unveil its latest outdoor rental display innovation, the Vista Series, at DSE 2024 in Las Vegas next month. Visitors to Booth 3135 will be among the first to explore Vista’s advanced features, including ultra-high refresh rates, ‘exceptional’ contrast, and a modular design that enables fast and flexible installation.

The Vista Series offers a variety of pixel pitch options, ranging from P0.9 to P2.5, ensuring tailored options for a diverse array of outdoor applications and viewing distances. With a 10,000:1 contrast ratio, 99.8% DCI-P3 colour gamut, and 4,000 nits brightness, the Vista Series ensures visuals are vibrant, true-to-life and impactful. Its high refresh rates of up to 7,680Hz deliver fluid and seamless visuals, ideal for dynamic content.

Built to last, the Vista Series boasts a 100,000-hour lifetime and IP

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26 November 2024

France - Unusual Rigging has announced its participation at this year’s JTSE show in Paris, taking place on 27-28 November 2024. Visitors to Stand 092 119 in Dock Pullman will have the opportunity to meet with the team and explore how Unusual can devise creative solutions for their rigging challenges on upcoming projects.

Unusual’s attendance at the show comes as the company continues to thrive, marked by its recent 40^th anniversary celebrations and the successful opening of its new branch in Paris earlier this year. The expansion, initially as a means of preparing for the Paris 2024 Games, is also a strategic move to address the increasing challenges of working in the region post-Brexit.

Mark Priestley, project manager at Unusual Rigging, comments: “The Paris branch was opened to overcome the operational obstacles of working in Euro

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26 November 2024

Elephant Trap - Members of the House of Lords have expressed “profound concern” about the UK’s arts sector following chancellor Rachel Reeves’ autumn Budget, with one peer dubbing it an “elephant trap” for culture.

Kick-starting a debate about the impact of the Budget on arts, heritage and cultural organisations on 14 November, conservative peer Amanda Sater cited the Society of London Theatre and UK Theatre’s warning that 40% of theatres and performing arts venues face closure over the next five years.

SOLT and UK Theatre’s appeal for an urgent pot of funding to stave off these closures was snubbed in a Budget that outlined plans to increase government spending by almost £70 billion a year over the next five years – almost half of which will be funded by tax increases.

Sater called on the government to consider the impact

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25 November 2024

UK - The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) has announced the launch of three new MA degree courses in technical theatre, with courses in Theatre Costume, Stage Management, and Performance Lighting Design commencing in September 2025.

These MA programmes aim to bridge the skills gap in the industry by training the next generation of technical theatre professionals in highly specialised areas essential to live performance. Each new course has been developed in response to the evolving demands of the industry, underscoring RADA’s commitment to equip the sector with supported technical specialists through in-depth and hands-on training.

The MA in Performance Lighting Design will enable students to have a sustained and lifelong career as lighting designers. Students will examine what it means to use lighting as a powerful creative tool for storytelli

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25 November 2024

USA - Floridian hard rockers Creed reunited and hit the road for their first tour in 11 years, creating a maelstrom of energy and momentum so successful that it propelled their music back into the Billboard charts, together with this year’s new Summer of 99, and Are You Ready? tours, which were among the fastest selling rock shows in the USA.

The production design was created by Mathias Kuhn and included 80 Robe moving lights and LED fixtures – 36 MegaPointes, 30 BMFL Spots, four BMFL FollowSpots, 10 Footsie2 LED footlights and four RoboSpot remote follow systems – all supplied by Bandit Lites out of Nashville.

The initial summer tour played a mix of arenas, theatres and amphitheatres with 10K to 36K capacities and the most recent leg stepped up to arenas, including Madison Square Garden, which were all completely sol