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12 March 2025

USA - ADJ has announced the launch of the Data Distro 6, a professional-grade DMX and RDM splitter designed to optimise lighting control systems with reliability and efficiency. Built for touring productions, permanent installations, and temporary events, the Data Distro 6 offers seamless data distribution for complex lighting setups.

With six optically isolated five-pin outputs, the Data Distro 6 provides stable DMX signal distribution, reducing interference and ensuring consistent performance across fixtures in large lighting systems. Each output features dedicated power and signal LED indicators for real-time monitoring, allowing lighting technicians to troubleshoot and manage their systems effortlessly. The unit also features five-pin DMX input and thru connections, which can be used to link up to 32 Data Distro 6 devices within a single system. When the

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12 March 2025

UK - The Avolites team in London is expanding with the appointment of Jon Hole as product manager, bringing with him 15 years of industry experience.

Jon’s passion for the industry was first sparked whilst working at the Northcott Theatre in Exeter, UK, as a teenager, prompting him to go on to study stage management and technical theatre at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama. Jon’s career has spanned roles within technical support, training, marketing and product management over the years.

Avolites MD Paul Wong commented: “We are thrilled to have Jon onboard. Jon’s skillset, knowledge and experience are a perfect complement to the team in our development and drive to innovate and accelerate our lighting and video control solutions.”

“I’m excited about Avolites’ product roadmap which will strengthen its value proposit

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12 March 2025

Europe - PPDS, the global provider of Philips Professional Displays and complementary solutions, has announced the appointment of international AV sales director, Fabrice Penhoat, heading a new growth chapter in its French and African markets.

With an AV career spanning over two decades – 13 years of which have been devoted exclusively to Philips Professional Displays – Penhoat takes the newly created position of business director Philips Signage and dvLED for France, the French overseas territories (Dom Tom), and Africa, and will play a leading role in the development and execution of PPDS’ digital signage and LED sales strategies in this key region.

Based in Paris and reporting to Cesar Sanz, sales director for France and Iberia, Penhoat will, in his extended position, be responsible for the implementation and execution of PPDS’ accelerated

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11 March 2025

International - The latest issue of LSi is out now, and can be read online for free here.

Inside our new March issue, you’ll find Rob Halliday’s in-depth production report on Cirque du Soleil’s gravity-defying Corteo show, as it visits the Royal Albert Hall.

Plus, we bring you our bumper round-up of news from last month’s ISE, Barcelona and expected highlights from next month’s Prolight + Sound, Frankfurt.

Meanwhile, Steve Moles visits the new Design & Digital Arts building at Nottingham Trent University; Phil Ward learns how SSL’s System T is assisting with Sonosphere’s livestreaming projects; and Louise Stickland meets the largely Ukrainian crew behi

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11 March 2025

Italy - The University of Bari Aldo Moro, located in Puglia, celebrated 100 years since its foundation in 1925 with two pieces of light art created by Pino Loconsole, owner of Bari-based rental company Lucidiscena.

These included a spectacular rooftop installation on the main administrative building comprising 16 x Robe iBolts.

Pino was commissioned to create the works by Stefano Bronzini, the university’s Dean, and the lighting fixtures were from Lucidiscena’s rental stock. With almost 40,000 students, the University of Bari offers different degree courses, ranging from literature and philosophy to physics and the life sciences.

The two lighting installations were very different. For the main building in Palazzo Ateneo, which is also the university’s faculty of literature and philosophy, Pino wanted to make a big impact, and the iBolts

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11 March 2025

India - A new club and lounge has opened in the Telangana city of Hyderabad, with its patrons enjoying an audio system built around Martin Audio BlacklineX loudspeakers.

The Beer Cartel is a premier venue designed to deliver ‘a seamless fusion of gourmet dining, craft beverages and high-energy music’.

Located in the city’s vibrant business and entertainment district, the Beer Cartel caters to professionals, music enthusiasts and socialites alike, seeking an immersive experience within the stylish, aesthetically designed expansive interior.

Aside from its diverse culinary offerings, the venue is also a hotspot for live entertainment and events, frequently hosting renowned DJs, and has already established itself as one of Hyderabad’s most sought-after nightlife destinations.

To achieve this, the owners sought an audio system tha

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11 March 2025

Europe - Austrian rapper, singer and producer RAF Camora recently completed his successful 10-date Anthrazit Forever Tour 2024 of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland under a ceiling of Ayrton Zonda 9 FX fixtures.

A total of 90 of the Ayrton fixtures were chosen by lighting designers Raphael Grebenstein and Ole Güllich of Light Art Studios as the centrepiece of their design.

54 Zonda 9 FX were arranged in a central 18x3 matrix above and parallel to the stage runway extending into the audience, and the remaining 36 fixtures rigged in four small 3x3 pods to the left and right of the centrepiece, with all the pods and matrices slightly tilted.

“The design concept was aimed at extending the urban-style content from the LED wall up into the roof, creating a cohesive look while also emphasizing the stage shape,” says Grebenstein. “We d

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11 March 2025

Europe - Alongside the release of their eighth and final album Heaven :x: Hell in March 2024, pop-punk icons Sum 41 announced Tour of the Setting Sum, an ambitious multi-continent arena tour that served as a fitting farewell to a 30-year career.

Throughout Asia, North America, and Europe, the Canadian rockers played more than a hundred shows for millions of passionate fans eager to see them one last time. For the 24-venue run in Europe, culminating in a sold-out performance in Nanterre, France, production manager Ivan Copelan said they considered several audio systems, ultimately selecting Cohesion for “the simple reason - the sound of it”.

16 Cohesion CO12 per side comprised the main hangs, and an additional 12 CO12 were hung on either side. “The CO12 go so low - the subs are there for lifting,” said FOH engineer Bryan Camp

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11 March 2025

USA - Audient co-sponsored The Shadowmaker, a new show from Simon Shackleton which recently premiered at Denver’s Holiday Theatre - to a standing ovation. Created by the award-winning British producer and his filmmaker wife Chele Gutek, The Shadowmaker show is the first of its kind from an electronic producer, featuring live performance of songs from Shackleton’s new album of the same name.

Audient helped Shackleton enhance his audio setup with an EVO SP8, the eight-channel smart preamp with AD/DA. Pairing that with his EVO 16 audio interface, Shackleton now has 16 channels of both inputs and outputs with EVO Expanded System.

“The EVO SP8 is the perfect addition to the EVO 16 for my live shows, where I need more than eight channels of audio going out to FOH,” said Shackleton. “It’s super simple to daisy-chain the two uni

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11 March 2025

UAE - Events company SLS Production has made a strategic investment in INFiLED’s GX Series, adding 1,000 sq.m to its existing inventory of INFiLED’s GX Series LED displays.

SLS Production is known for its expertise in organising, managing and bringing event experiences to life. Having worked with INFiLED for three years, the company values the manufacturer’s reputation for providing reliable, innovative technology, with the latest purchase strengthening SLS Production’s commitment to providing high-quality AV solutions for live events.

“In the production business we need equipment that can perform under pressure while delivering stunning results, and INFiLED has consistently met our high standards,” says Edwin Cheeran, managing director at SLS Production Middle East.

“The GX Series has been on our radar for some time, and this i

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11 March 2025

Europe - DirectOut is the creator of Prodigy.MX, a multiformat audio matrix that interfaces with the whole range of protocols offered by DirectOut. The Prodigy.MX is used by Nils Labenz, an experienced monitor engineer, who is currently on German metalcore band Electric Callboy’s Tekkno tour.

The Prodigy.MX fulfils a variety of tasks within the Electric Callboy audio workflow. First, the band uses it to supply redundancy for the playback system, utilising EARS (Enhanced Automatic Redundancy Switching) to ensure the switch is interruption-free. It is also the Dante Clock Master for the entire network and, when required, uses the MADI card with SRC to forward audio signals to outside broadcast trucks for events such as the Rock am Ring Festival, held at the Nürburgring racetrack in June 2024.

Nils (Labbi) Labenz began working with

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11 March 2025

Europe - The OCA Alliance has welcomed NDI as a member to the trade association. NDI offers a broad portfolio of software and technology solutions.

"Joining the OCA Alliance marks a significant leap forward in the standardisation strategy for metadata in NDI. It is also a tremendous pleasure to collaborate with such brilliant minds as the creators of AES70,” says NDI technical director, Roberto Musso. “I look forward to the opportunity to publish the guidelines for AES70 over NDI soon."  

"NDI truly needs no introduction, and the OCA Alliance is thrilled to welcome them to our membership," notes Ethan Wetzell, OCA Alliance marketing chair. "Not only is it a vote of confidence in the standard to have NDI participating, but it is also proof that AES70 is not just for audio - if it's connected, AES70 can help. We look forward to working with the t

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11 March 2025

USA - Chauvet Professional has introduced the Strike V, the latest addition to the company’s successful Strike family of fixtures.

With two layers of individually controllable RGBW LEDs (24 per layer), and a smart frost that can create zoomed out flares, the Strike V provides designers with a tool that they can use ‘to take their shows to the next level’.

The variable electronic frost plate over the dual layers of pixels makes it possible to change beam angles instantly at the press of a button, while the advanced optics of the LED diodes themselves can produce a stunning array of vibrant colours. A 180-degree tilting fixture, the Strike V has powerful strobing capabilities to go alone with its performance as a colour wash.

As a colour wash or strobe, the Strike Vs can create static effects or smooth motorized looks that will transform

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11 March 2025

Spain - Work Pro continues to expand its Integra series with the launch of three new models: Integra 16S, Integra 4SA, and Integra 8SA. These additions offer advanced and versatile solutions for audio management in professional installations. The new models were officially announced at ISE 2025 and will be available through official distributors by the end of March for the 16S and 4SA models, and 8SA will be available in May.

The Integra 16S is a DSP matrix that retains all the features of the well-known Integra 8S but with double the channels: 16 inputs and 16 outputs. This model offers greater audio management capacity, ideal for more complex installations that require simultaneous control of multiple zones or areas. With its per-channel configurable DSP, the Integra 16S allows precise sound optimisation, ‘ensuring exceptional quality in medium to large

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11 March 2025

Remember Monday - The UK's Eurovision entry for 2025 will be the female country-pop trio Remember Monday, the BBC has announced. The group, who previously reached the quarter finals of The Voice, will head to Switzerland this May with a song called What The Hell Just Happened?

Calling themselves "pop girlies with a little bit of yeehaw", the band was formed by school friends Lauren Byrne, Holly-Anne Hull and Charlotte Steele in 2013. In a press release, they said: "We're going to be the first girlband to represent the UK since 1999, which feels like such a crazy honour. We're going to bring loads of fun, energy and hopefully do something that you won't have seen before on the Eurovision stage."

Citizens’ Return - A revival of Tennessee Williams’ The Glass Menagerie, a production of Douglas Maxwell’s a

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10 March 2025

USA - In a thrilling showdown between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles, Super Bowl LIX captivated a record 126m US viewers who tuned in to watch the game. From Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Shure audio gear was instrumental in delivering crystal-clear sound to fans both at the stadium and watching the broadcast.

ATK Audiotek and Professional Wireless Systems (PWS) handled all wireless microphones and IEM systems for the pre-game entertainment, halftime entertainment, and referees, as well as the Bud Light Backyard Concert. This marks the 28th year PWS has partnered with ATK for the Super Bowl.

The audio team included broadcast mixer Tom Holmes, entertainment front-of-house mixer Alex Gussard, entertainment front-of-house music mixer Dave Natale, monitor mixer Tom Pesa, lead RF engineer Cameron Stuckey, and RF techs Stev

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10 March 2025

Europe - Mark Clements has been touring with Level 42 for over 23 years; for the last 16, he has been using DiGiCo consoles provided by Neal Allen, CEO of Merlin PA Hire. For the band’s 2024 touring dates Allen joined the tour mixing monitors, with Clements at the front-of-house position.

The year began with the pair using a Quantum 225 at FOH and an SD10-24 for monitors. Towards the end of the year, they swapped to a Quantum 338 at FOH, and a Quantum 326 at monitors for the London O2 indigo shows. 2025 will see the Quantum 338 changing to a Quantum 225 for the overseas shows to fit the slimmed-down logistics package.

“I love the Quantum 225 and 338,” Clements explains. “Their size is just right, the frames are easy to manoeuvre into any venue, and the small FOH footprint and connectivity options are massive plus points. We have 48 inputs fro

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10 March 2025

USA - Visitors to February's San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo were awed by the balance and dexterity of the cowboys and cowgirls who roped and rode on the arena floor. But the heroics of these athletes weren't the only impressive feats that took place at the spacious Frost Bank Centre during the three-week event.

David Jackson of LD Systems and his crew did some impressive turns too. Every day, they set up and closed down a 40ft wide by 34ft-deep stage during the rodeo, while also accommodating floor packages for its star entertainers, a group that included Nelly, Keith Urban, Jon Pardi, Joe Nichols, the Eli Young Band, LeAnn Rimes, Sammy Hagar and Dwight Yoakam among others.

"For our crew, the challenges of working within the limited time windows to maintain the rig had to be addressed," said Jackson, who served as lighting lead and program

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10 March 2025

USA - Clear-Com has announced Annabelle Gauthier as the recipient of the 2025 USITT Stage Management Award, which Clear-Com sponsors yearly. This prestigious honour, presented annually at the USITT Conference & Stage Expo, recognises an outstanding student stage manager for their dedication, leadership, and excellence in stage management.

The United States Institute for Theatre Technology (USITT), founded in 1960, serves as a hub for dialogue, research, and education among theatre design and technology practitioners. The annual USITT Conference & Stage Expo is a cornerstone event that connects industry professionals, educators, and students, offering a platform for networking in entertainment technology.

Clear-Com has a long-standing history of supporting industry education and professional development, aligning with USITT’s mission to adva

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10 March 2025

Morocco - The 4th Global Ministerial Conference on Road Safety, held in Morocco, was a landmark event in the global effort to improve road safety. The conference brought together ministers, experts, and stakeholders globally to discuss innovative strategies and solutions for reducing road accidents while promoting safe and sustainable mobility.

For such a high-profile event, the scenography and lighting played a crucial role in creating an immersive and engaging atmosphere. Thanks to Prolights' lighting solutions and the collaboration with EcmaPro – the brand's exclusive distributor in Morocco, which provided the solutions to M212, a leading technical service provider specializing in high-profile events – the event featured a precisely designed lighting setup that enhanced the venue and provided a visually impactful experience.

EcmaPro o