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16 December 2024

USA - At The Caverns, part of an 8,000ft underground cave passage located a little over 80 miles south of Nashville, designers like Justin Casey have to contend with a lack of level surfaces.

"Nothing there is level," Casey, owner of Helm Projects said of the venue. "That's the first challenge. We have done so many shows at this place, so we know it takes some time and thought to come up with a design that's right for it – but once you do, it's well worth it."

Casey and his team recently created a stunning design for electronica star LSDream's two-day Rave Cave event at the Cavern that played off the venue's intricately craggy features to create looks that flowed seamlessly with the captivating vibe of the performances on stage.

Helping Casey and his team realise this vision inside the 1,500-capacity space (aka The Big Mouth Cave)

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16 December 2024

USA - Professional Wireless Systems (PWS) has been delivering RF support and solutions since 1994, and this year, the company celebrates its 30th anniversary. Based on the brand’s 30-year reputation and decades of experience in the industry, PWS has supported a range of high-profile broadcast and live event projects. PWS’ clients rely on the team for design and deployment services, helping to continuously deliver world-class events to their audiences.

PWS has offered services, event management and frequency coordination for various high-profile events over the years, such as every Super Bowl Halftime Show since 1997, award shows, music festivals, corporate events and major league sports.

In the 1980s and 1990s wireless microphone use experienced tremendous growth in the United States. At that time, the founder of PWS James Stoffo worked

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16 December 2024

The Netherlands - After over a decade of excavation, preparation, and research, five dinosaurs are now on display together for the first time at the Naturalis Biodiversity Center in Leiden. Among them is the majestic herbivore Triceratops, renowned for its large frill and three horns – a true icon of the dinosaur era.

This exhibition has been brought to life through a lighting design by Tom Verheijen, with equipment and custom solutions provided by Lichtpunt Theatertechniek.

To illuminate the dinosaurs and their surroundings, various Prolights fixtures were used, including the EclProfile FWTU and EclMini CC, which were instrumental in creating a visually stunning experience. These fixtures were supplied by FullAVL Distribution, Prolights distributor for the Netherlands.

The EclMini CC fixtures, with their compact design and refined optics,

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16 December 2024

India - Shillong, with its vibrant music culture and awe-inspiring landscapes, has once again proved itself as a premier live music destination – all thanks to the Cherry Blossom Festival 2024.

Manoj Singh, director of live events technical solutions provider KG Movie, says that for his team, the festival wasn’t just another project – it was a labour of love. “From breathtaking performances by global legends and Indian stars to the flawless sound engineering that elevated each act, the Main Stage at the Cherry Blossom Festival 2024 has become a testament to what’s possible when artistry and technology align,” he states.

Held on 15-16 November at the sprawling RBDSA Sports Complex, this celebration drew an attendance of over 50,000 visitors on each of its two days. Acts featured on the main stage included AKON, Boney M, and Clean Bandit, s

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13 December 2024

UAE - Avolites announces a change in partnership in the Middle East, which will see the UK-based lighting and visual control manufacturer distributed and serviced by Robe Middle East as of 1 January 2025.

Service and support throughout all Middle Eastern countries will be managed via the considerable resources, experience and organisational infrastructure of Robe Middle East, headed by managing director Elie Battah and his talented team.

It will give Avolites investors, users, and customers in the area access to the Robe Middle East Technical Centre, which will become the hub for Avolites sales, tech support, repairs and returns plus an active schedule of Avolites training opportunities and initiatives currently being developed.

Avolites’ MD Paul Wong thanks Procom Middle East for their “incredible” work that has delivered and supported

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13 December 2024

UK - The £100k Funding Campaign for 2030 Outdoor Event Sector’s Climate Transition Plan has hit 75%. Wide support from across the sector has secured production of the Show Must Go On Sector Transition Plan, which will set ambitious climate plans for 2030 for the festival and live outdoor events industry.

Chris Johnson, Vision: 2025 chair, states: “The working group is delighted by the widespread support from an industry struggling against the economic backdrop in 2024. This is an acknowledgement that now is the time to show leadership and ambition in taking action, meeting the urgent challenge of climate breakdown, and coming together as an industry to chart a clear path.”

Vision:2025 is working with the AIF and other industry organisations to raise the final 25% to reach the £100k target. The remaining funds will underpin the promot

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13 December 2024

UK - After another year of ‘inspiring and groundbreaking entries’, the ABTT’s Stephen Joseph Committee faced a challenge in selecting the 2024 Award winner, which honours innovative and inclusive theatre excellence.

Named in tribute to leading post-war British theatre pioneer and founding ABTT member, the Stephen Joseph Award celebrates the bold ways in which theatre practitioners push boundaries in using theatre space and forging close, creative connections between performers and audiences.

After a lively and passionate discussion about the submissions, the judging panel reached a unanimous decision: the 2024 ABTT Stephen Joseph Award goes to Frozen Light, a Norwich-based company that is revolutionising multi-sensory theatre for audiences with profound and multiple learning disabilities.

Presented at the ABTT Christmas Party, Bob Milli

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13 December 2024

Italy - The organisers of Afterlife invited fans to embark on “a captivating sensory journey and unique immersive experience” when promoting their show at the Snai Hippodrome in San Siro, Milan.

The one-day techno event delivered a multi-sensory mix of music and visuals that enveloped fans in a transformative blend of sensations.

Afterlife’s creator Tale of Us performed at the event and was joined by a line-up that featured Mind Against, Massano and Olympe as well as two performances alternating on stage by Anyma introducing Genesys, and Mrak introducing We Don't Follow. These DJ sets captivated with the telling of intimate and visionary travel stories of the musicians behind the decks.

Supporting the DJ performances and endowing them with even greater mind-expanding power was an audio and visual prod

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13 December 2024

Nigeria - Mr Panther, a recent addition to Lagos’ nightlife, is a high-energy resto-lounge. Owned by the Standalone Group, the venue is located on the seventh floor of The Avenue Suites Hotel, offering a dynamic atmosphere that transitions from a fine dining experience into a vibrant lounge as the night progresses.

With its gold-accented interiors, sleek glass façades, and an overall design that epitomises opulence, Mr Panther aims to leave a lasting impression on every guest. KV2 Audio was chosen to create an audio system to match this elevated vision.

The project resulted from a collaboration between Standalone Group and Freehand Acoustics. When the group decided to expand into Lagos, they brought Freehand Acoustics into the fold during the concept phase. “We were brought on board to design and commission the sound system. This allowed us to c

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13 December 2024

Spain - Alfalite announced the launch of its new Matix AlfaCOB & AlfaMIP technology for high-resolution and high-brightness applications during its 2024 partner meeting. The event, held at the company’s factory in Huelva, Spain, welcomed nearly 90 partners from around the world.

“It is an honour to introduce Matix to the market,” said Jesús Cabrera, CEO of Alfalite. “This is a remarkable achievement by our engineering team, who have used cutting-edge components to endow these LED panels with unique electronic and mechanical features. This innovation sets a new standard in image quality, marking a milestone in the LED display technology sector.”

The Matix AlfaCOB & AlfaMIP process involves encapsulating the LED module entirely with multiple layers of advanced protective and optical materials, covering the PCB surface with flip-chip-

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13 December 2024

USA - Elation capped off a successful 2024 LDI Show by winning the Product Innovation Award for Paragon, the company’s new flagship series of intelligent lights for entertainment.

Toby Velazquez, ADJ Group global CEO, comments: “We would like to take this moment to commend the incredible efforts of our engineering and R&D teams, along with everyone involved in the development of what we believe is the finest moving head series Elation has ever produced. The creation of Paragon stands as a testament to their dedication, technical brilliance, and unwavering commitment to excellence.”

At the centre of Elation’s Experience Tomorrow booth, Paragon captivated attendees throughout the show and featured in the company’s crowd-pleasing hourly light show.

“From the very beginning, this project was guided by a singular focus: to

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12 December 2024

UK - This year, at the ABTT Members' Christmas Party on Friday 6 December, the Association of British Theatre Technicians, with the support of ETC and LW Theatres, honoured four of its members by awarding them Honorary Membership and Fellowship for their extraordinary work.

ABTT co-chairs Mig Burgess and David Evans kicked off the afternoon at the Gillian Lynne Theatre, welcoming the crowd and sharing the exciting news that this year, more members than ever would be celebrated. The Awards began by announcing that there were “two exceptional individuals whose contributions to the Association have been nothing short of extraordinary. This prestigious recognition of Honorary Membership is reserved only for those who have truly excelled in advancing the ABTT’s charitable goals – and these two individuals have certainly done just that.”

The first

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12 December 2024

India - Headquartered in Mumbai, Neo Entertainment is one of India’s premier event production companies. With a promise to continually deploy the latest tech and expertise, they recently upgraded their front-line PA, investing in a Martin Audio WPC line array. They placed a significant order with territory distributors, Vardhaman Megatech Pvt Ltd (VMT), comprising 16 WPC tops and eight SXH subwoofers, along with iK42 amp racks and accessories.

Speaking of the purchase, Neo Entertainment director, Betson Carvalho said, “Choosing the Martin Audio WPC system has been a transformative step for Neo Entertainment. This powerful combination of components has revolutionised our sound capabilities, delivering clear, dynamic and impactful audio that truly elevates events. Martin Audio’s renowned precision and reliability provide us with the confidence to push th

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12 December 2024

USA - Goldsboro, North Carolina, is home to the historic Paramount Theatre. Built in 1882 as an office building, its high Victorian Italianate style was noted for its ornamental features such as quoins, arched windows, and cornices. Over the years, the building has been used in many different ways – including a temporary synagogue, vaudeville theatre, and movie house.

In 1993, the renovated building was donated to the City of Goldsboro, and the city managed the theatre for the next 12 years. Early one morning in February 2005, a fire destroyed the Paramount Theatre. The loss of the theatre was personal to many members of the community. However, the theatre was rebuilt and officially reopened in February 2008. The Paramount Theatre’s auditorium has a capacity of 500, with seating for approximately 350 on the lower level and 150 in the balcony.

The

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12 December 2024

Japan - Kadokawa Daiei Studio Co, a video and film production studio based in Tokyo, has unveiled its new facility, No.C Stage. This virtual production studio now features Brompton 4K Tessera SX40 LED processors and Tessera XD 10G distribution units powering Sony Crystal LED VERONA, marking a significant investment in advanced LED display technology.

These enhancements are designed to elevate the studio’s capabilities in in-camera visual effects (VFX), enabling the creation of immersive, high-quality virtual environments for films, commercials, and other creative projects.

Kadokawa Daiei Studio, part of the Kadakawa Group, has consistently been at the forefront of innovation, blending cutting-edge technology with traditional art production expertise. The studio is set to install a Sony Crystal LED Verona LED wall, measuring 15m wide by five metres

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12 December 2024

USA - Custer Road United Methodist Church in Plano, TX, faced a challenge: its sanctuary's traditional architecture and high ceilings, while beautiful, were creating audio issues that prevented the congregation from fully connecting during services. Recognising this, church leadership wanted to improve audio quality to foster a more engaging worship experience.

Custer Road UMC wanted a modern audio upgrade to match its sanctuary’s refreshed look and offer clear, consistent sound. “The church underwent a major renovation, and part of that effort was to ensure the technical systems were up to date,” says Shawn Slocum, account manager at Electro Acoustics. “We knew it was time to improve the audio system, and EAW’s AC6 ADAPTive system was the perfect solution.”

Custer Road UMC discovered the capabilities of the AC6 Column Loudspeaker during

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12 December 2024

Namibia - Liefde By Die Nam (LBDN) is a yearly event dedicated to Afrikaans music. 2024’s Liefde By die Nam took place in Windhoek, the capital of Namibia on 21 September, and event production specialists dB Audio Namibia brought the party to life by leveraging groundbreaking audio solutions supplied and supported by Stage Audio Works Namibia.  

To meet the complex audio demands of the event, dB Audio chose the Yamaha DM7 console for FOH mixing, which marked the first deployment of this model in Namibia. With its compact yet powerful design, the DM7 proved a perfect fit for the festival’s outdoor setup. "The DM7 is a self-contained, powerful, and versatile solution that slots in well to our operations here in Namibia," agree local sound engineers Gerhardus Engelbrecht and Titus Augustinus. dB Audio also supplied the trusted Y

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11 December 2024

UK - Unusual Rigging has played a pivotal role in the technical setup for Cameron Mackintosh & Nick Grace’s Les Misérables: The Arena Spectacular World Tour.

Unusual took on the full design of the rigging infrastructure for the entire show, as well as manufacturing and assembling a custom mothergrid, which supports the lighting and scenic elements for this ambitious production.

Luke McBride, design engineer at Unusual explained; “Our involvement with the concept of the Arena Spectacular tour began way back in 2020. This was a time when Covid-19 was at its peak and theatres had gone dark. At the time it was rumoured that arena events would be the first to restart as the scale of the venues would allow social distancing to be possible. Nevertheless, we didn’t begin work in earnest until February 2024, working with the show’s techn

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11 December 2024

France - Set along the northern edge of the Pyrenees, Pau is a city in southwestern France located some 85km from the Spanish border. A total population of less than 80,000 enjoys a rich cultural life with a range of theatre and concert venues, among them the Foirail.

A former livestock market, Foirail opened in 2022 and quickly established itself as a vibrant cultural space hosting a varied programme of cinema, jazz and classical music concerts, theatre and dance.

“The Nexo Geo M6 system originally installed at the Foirail was perfect for the venue at the time,” reports technical director Eric Vilchez. “However, the popularity of the theatre grew very quickly, and we soon found ourselves hiring in supplementary sound equipment for larger shows, particularly live music.”

So, members of the Nexo Engineering Support team revisited their

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11 December 2024

UK - After another successful year of ideas being entered, the ABTT Virtual Ideas Platform had the tough job of choosing a winner for the 2024 Idea of the Year Award.

Set up as collaboration between the ABTT and Guildhall School of Music & Drama, the Virtual Ideas Platform serves as an informal introduction service between independent creative innovators and commercial developers behind the sectors’ leading brands, products and services.

Following a stimulating debate about the submissions, the judging panel came to the unanimous decision to present the ABTT Virtual Ideas Platform 2024 Award to Steve Macluskie, lecturer at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, and Toby Cass, third year production technology and management student for their innovative product Beam Strap which is a lightweight beam clamp derivative, designed to take the hassle and