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Solotech appoints integration market leader

Landon Lovett - global market leader, sales and systems integration division

Details: 05 October 2023

USA - Solotech has announced the appointment of Landon Lovett as global market leader, sales and systems integration division.
Landon’s newly created position will focus on areas in which he has previously held impactful roles. In his career spanning more than 20 years in senior leadership, he has been a key player in developing business practices, expanding into new markets, and maintaining consultant engagement and major client relationships.
"I am thrilled to join this dynamic, growing global organization,” says Landon. “Over the last 45 years, Solotech has built a world-class reputation of AV production and installation. I am extremely excited to come in and maintain that standard of quality and excellence while helping the continued growth of Solotech's sales

Brit Row delivers consistency for First Aid Kit

Details: 05 October 2023

Europe - Production manager Gareth Russell is marking 10 years of touring campaigns with First Aid Kit, aka Swedish musical duo, sisters Johanna and Klara Söderberg. Taking the new album Palomino out to audiences across the world, he’s running a tight ship.
“Everyone's hard work is appreciated by this artist, which is fantastic,” he begins. “The quality of crew that we have on this tour is in demand, so it's testament to the artist that our people continue to make themselves available. Everybody really wants to be here.”
First Aid Kit’s close-knit team has welcomed Britannia Row Productions into the fold for some years now, and Russell notes this is partially down to the consistency the audio rental house provides.
He continues: “The kind of personnel available to us from Brit Row, such as our tech, Mario Bianchi, well those details are crit

Karol G recently concluded a 13-date American stadium tour (photo: Steve Jennings)

GLP iX5 IP Bars have the edge for Karol G

Details: 05 October 2023

USA - LD Ignacio (Iggy) Rosenberg has become another early adopter of GLP’s new impression X5 IP Bars, having successfully commandeered 136 units from PRG for Karol G’s recent 13-date American stadium tour.
Part of a multidisciplinary design collective called Lightswitch, which specialises in visual design for live entertainment and architectural projects, the lighting designer first became involved with Karol G several years ago. “After two tours with her we were invited back to design the lighting on her Mañana Sera Bonito stadium tour,” he says. “It helps I’m originally Argentine, so there is a language and cultural bridge that helps the design process and transfer of ideas.”
Karol G’s reputation has grown quickly since winning the Colombian version of The X Factor back in 2006, and later being awarded a Latin Grammy for Best New Artis

Monitor engineer Dave Guerin and FOH man Matt Butcher are long standing DiGiCo users

Blur stay loyal to DiGiCo for reunion dates

Details: 05 October 2023

UK - The triumphant return of 90s Britpop poster boys Blur rocked the music world at the end of 2022, as Damon Albarn, Graham Coxon, Alex James and Dave Rowntree announced that they were back together for the first time in eight years to headline two dates at Wembley stadium.
Built to exceed the ambitions of touring productions, DiGiCo’s Quantum7 was the mixing desk of choice for the band’s biggest ever headline shows, ensuring that the 180,000 fans that flocked to Wembley felt the full force of Blur’s influential back catalogue.
The mammoth gigs marked 35 years since the band’s formation, which was followed by a lengthy career of catchy chart-topping hits, numerous music awards and bust-ups with fellow Britpop stars. Alongside the Wembley shows, Blur also announced intimate warm-up dates in Colchester, Eastbourne, Newcastle and Wolverhampton, as well as festi

Lucca Summer Festival takes place annually in the city’s famous Piazza Napoleone (photo: Lorenzo Moreni)

Robbie Williams plays through MLA on Lucca finale

Details: 05 October 2023

Italy - Lucca Summer Festival is one of Italy’s most highly anticipated live music events, which takes place annually in the city’s famous Piazza Napoleone.
This year Robbie Williams returned to the Bel Paese to light up one of the most historic cities in the Tuscan region. He performed to an audience of over 20,000 people on the Festival’s final evening, closing a season which again brought to the location major names in contemporary rock and pop, including Blur, The Chemical Brothers, Norah Jones, Placebo, KISS, Simply Red and Sigur Ros.
Martin Audio partner, Amandla Productions, has been a reference rental company for the Lucca Summer Festival for many years, and again provided technical management, including a full audio and lighting package.
System engineer, Tommaso Bandecchi, and Amandla CEO, David Lapini, recognised the challenges in meeting the ever

The main stage was built in the courtyard

Infinity and Showtec light Deviate Festival

Details: 05 October 2023

The Netherlands - The inaugural edition of Deviate Festival took place on Saturday 26 August at Abbey Hotel Rolduc in Kerkrade. With a number of techno heavyweights on the bill, the sound and lighting had to be spot on. SL Productions’ Glenn Weckseler was on hand to help put together an optimal setup that included many products by Infinity, Showtec, DAP and Showgear.
For this event, the Deviate organisers managed to secure names such as Héctor Oaks, I Hate Models, Klangkuenstler, Lee Ann Roberts and Patrick Mason, among others. The location chosen to host the event was the Unesco-listed Abbey Hotel Rolduc.
The main stage was built in the courtyard with SL Productions putting together a lighting setup with more than 100 fixtures that covered the entire 104-metre length of the Rolduc building. There were 60 Infinity B401 Beam moving heads that combine fast, precise m

Terence Chan is based out of the company’s Cambridge, UK office

Terence Chan joins Clear-Com in UK

Details: 04 October 2023

UK - Clear-Com has announced the appointment of Terence Chan as its newest product manager, based out of the company’s Cambridge, UK office. Terence will be responsible for the user experience and success of the company’s matrix intercom systems (for example, the Eclipse HX Digital Matrix).
Chan has over 15 years of experience working in product management for high-tech industries with clients that included Google, Philips, and other FinTech ventures, and has a special interest in sustainable tech. As a fan of Clear-Com technology prior to joining the team, he is especially interested in the wide variety of markets the company supports.
Chan comments: “I look forward to learning more about the methodology of generating such a bridge between technology and market. Because to me, what makes a professional successful is their way of working, and having the right me

Carl-Johan Sköld will be based in Hong Kong

Astera appoints Carl-Johan Sköld group CEO

Details: 04 October 2023

China - Wireless LED lighting manufacturer Astera has announced the creation of a new group CEO position with the appointment of Carl-Johan Sköld.
Carl-Johan will be based in Hong Kong and collaborating closely with both the German HQ and design centre and Astera’s Chinese manufacturing teams to shape the company’s medium term and future growth strategies.
With extensive expertise in long-term business development and strategy, Carl-Johan will outline some ambitious goals for Astera’s future, whilst also fortifying the brand’s current standing as a market leading lighting technology brand.
Astera’s sales director Sebastian Buckle commented: “It’s hugely exciting to have someone of Carl-Johan’s calibre onboard as our company moves to the next phase of its development. Carl-Johan brings great expertise, a huge enthusiasm for our industry and a bri

The two models are suitable for a variety of applications

JBL COL Series now shipping in the UK

Details: 04 October 2023

UK - Sound Technology, Harman Professional distributor in the UK and ROI, has announced immediate shipping of the new JBL Professional COL Series slim column loudspeakers.
Featuring wide horizontal and narrow vertical coverage with a built-in 10° down-tilt to the aim, COL Series deliver optimum coverage for most listening areas while allowing the speaker to be installed flat to the wall. Racetrack woofers provide maximum radiating area in a column form factor. Multi-tap transformers allow for use on either 70V or 100V distributed speaker lines, while the speaker is switchable for direct 8-ohm operation.
The two models in the range - the COL600 (600 mm) and COL800 (800 mm) - are suitable for a variety of applications, including conference and meeting rooms, lecture halls, retail stores, concourses, public transport spaces, fill applications and more.
Available in

‘The introduction of the X7 is a testament to Verge Aero's seven years of innovation’

Verge unveils all-in-one drone show solution

Details: 04 October 2023

USA - Verge Aero has unveiled the Verge Aero X7 drone at the 2023 UP.Summit, a gathering of innovative minds rethinking transportation. Drone shows are one application of the new technologies transforming mobility.
The Verge Aero X7 is a breakthrough product that delivers exceptional performances and smashes the barriers to entry into the drone show industry with a price designed to accelerate adoption, says the company. Now, almost anyone can create and perform drone shows with Verge Aero’s integrated, all-in-one drone show solution.
Venturing into the drone show industry has presented aspiring providers with a maze of mismatched hardware and software components creating disjointed workflows, at higher price points, making entry a daunting task. But Verge Aero, driven by a dedicated development team committed to making drone shows accessible to everyone, has flipp

The Nutquacker at Warner Bros World features K-array Kayman, Thunder and Anakonda

K-array addresses theme parks sector

Details: 04 October 2023

Europe - K-array has recently launched a range of audio solutions for the theme parks and visitor attraction market.
Building on years of experience in problem-solving for theme park environments, K-array has identified various application-specific challenges that it aims to solve with its latest package of solutions, which include its Python loudspeaker, Pinnacle system and innovative Anakonda line-array loudspeakers, the latter of which has sold more than 10km (10,000m) since its creation.
A series of installations in the Middle East, as well as successful projects in France, the USA and Asia have proven K-array products to be suited to face the challenges of these environments thanks to the brand's dedication to ensuring IP certification on many of its discreet, yet powerful, loudspeakers.
“Our solutions for theme parks represent the convergence of cutting-e

The showcase will feature demonstrations of LED processing solutions from Brompton Technology

Novatech takes Brompton LED on Entech tour

Details: 04 October 2023

Australia - Based in Adelaide, Novatech Creative Event Technology has been providing technical production services for major corporate, arts, music, and sporting events for over two decades. Novatech is set to unveil its latest turn-key offerings in vision, audio, and lighting for live events at this year's Entech Roadshow from 10-24 October. This showcase will feature demonstrations of LED processing solutions from Brompton Technology.
Leko Novakovic, managing director at Novatech, states: “As a full-service production rental company supplying turn-key event technology solutions for three major sectors, concert and touring, corporate, and special events, our high-end vision offerings in particular encompass everything from projection mapping to large-scale LED screen solutions for live events. We have relied on Brompton Technology LED video processing products for many ye

TMS played a key role in illuminating the historic Volleyball Day concert (photo: Scott Bruhn)

TMS and Elation shine on Volleyball Day

Details: 04 October 2023

USA - In a historic night of volleyball and music, Proteus Lucius profile moving heads and Proteus Rayzor 1960 wash effects from Elation Professional, supplied by TMS, illuminated the stage for a captivating post-match concert by country music artist Scotty McCreery.
The event took place on 30 August at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska, as part of the Volleyball Day in Nebraska celebration.
The University of Nebraska is known for its passionate support of its women’s volleyball team and the event drew an astounding crowd of 92,003 spectators. It marked a significant milestone for the world of women's sports and, according to the University, broke three records: Largest Volleyball Game Attendance Ever, Largest Attended Women's Sporting Event in the U.S., and Largest Attended Women's Sporting Event in the World.
Production company Theatrical Media Services

‘The EclPanels ensure intense and uniform light’

Prolights EclPanels light Zandvoort lounge

Details: 04 October 2023

The Netherlands - Prolights EclPanels TWC were successfully used in the creation of the new DRM Multimedia Lounge in the Zandvoort circuit. The main objective of this project was the transformation of a space into a multimedia lounge, which could ‘combine the emotion of Formula 1 racing with the possibilities offered by the most advanced technologies’.
For the lighting of the room, DRM Showtechniek has chosen to rely on Full AVL, Prolights distributor in the Netherlands. Full AVL supplied a set of EclPanel TWC, softlight LED known for their versatility in lighting, adapting perfectly to each specific need of the room. When the lounge is used as a meeting room, the EclPanels ensure intense and uniform light. Instead, when the room is not used as a workplace, these panels can beautify the environment, adapting their colour harmoniously to the general style of the room, tha

The show uses performance, music and spectacle to explore the lives of black Londoners (photo: David Levene)

White Light helps build The Architect

Details: 04 October 2023

UK - The Architect is a celebratory and stirring immersive theatrical experience, taking place entirely on a London bus. Commemorating the murder of teenager Stephen Lawrence 30 years on, and inspired by his ambition to become an architect, the show uses performance, music and spectacle to explore the lives of black Londoners, imagining the potential of uninterrupted black lives and the hopes, ambitions and dreams that accompany this.
The lighting for this special project was designed by Chris McDonnell, who approached White Light, a d&b solutions company, to supply her lighting equipment.
Unlike more traditional pieces of theatre, The Architect sees its audience members board a London double-decker bus which then travels to different parts of the city, as well as back and forth through time. So how did Chris approach such a different production? She explains:

The band’s audio crew has opted to carry a Solotech-supplied control package

Styx marathon tour rolls on with DiGiCo

Details: 04 October 2023

USA - With an enduring legacy spanning more than five decades, the members of Chicago rock band Styx are still showing no signs of calling it quits. In fact, the group is currently out on the road supporting its 17th studio album, Crash of the Crown, in the final stretch of a 95-date 2023 US tour that runs into November.
And while Styx may be relying on local “racks and stacks” at the various host venues on their latest trek, the band’s audio crew has opted to carry a Solotech-supplied control package built upon twin DiGiCo SD12-96 consoles for FOH and monitor mix consistency.
Chris Hoff, better known as ‘Cookie’ has worked with the band on and off for more than half of its history, originally starting out as a stage patch/monitor tech in 1997. Following eight years as the band’s monitor engineer, plus various stints as systems engineer, Hoff has spe

Terra Solis is a new multi-purpose venue located just 40 minutes outside Dubai

L-Acoustics adds audio magic to Terra Solis

Details: 04 October 2023

UAE - Created by Tomorrowland, Terra Solis is a new multi-purpose venue located just 40 minutes outside Dubai. Featuring luxurious accommodation options, a swimming pool, and a host of Tomorrowland elements, including a restaurant, bar, and a shisha lounge, this desert oasis sprawls over an expanse of 371,000sq.m.
Working in close partnership with L-Acoustics distributor in Dubai, Levels AV, has designed and delivered an L-Acoustics K3 system that injects the manufacturer’s sonic signature into the venue.
"We were delighted when Tomorrowland's partner company approached us for this project," says Richard Prior, head of operations at Levels AV. "They wanted the very best audio for their venue, and as we have a long-standing relationship with L-Acoustics, we recommended them as the top choice, which perfectly aligned with their view of L-Acoustics as industry leaders.

The lighting was installed and designed for the event by Mequadro Service

Skylos and Aqua light Verona Arena Eurovolley

Details: 04 October 2023

Italy - More than 70 Claypaky lights were used to illuminate the inaugural Eurovolley match at the Verona Arena. The project was conceived by Mequadro Service’s lighting designer Andrea Coppini and the company owner Emanuele Mazzi, with support from Claypaky product specialist Alessandro Melegaro.
The event marked the return of top sporting events to the temple of Italian opera, which was transformed into an open-air sports stadium in less than 24 hours. Emanuele Mazzi explained how the idea for this rig came about: “We were asked to include something awesome for this unusual event. In addition to illuminating the field, we put together lighting effects on the stalls and the audience, and created beams visible from afar to make the Arena look even more impressive.”
“To create these effects, we chose the Skylos and the Arolla Aqua," Andrea Coppini continued. "We

A total of over 100 million pixels were delivered across the Maro Simone course

Creative Technology supports The Ryder Cup

Details: 03 October 2023

UK - Creative Technology are a long-term provider of Audio-Visual services to the Ryder Cup with the 2023 edition being the 10th European competition the company has supported. Over a 36-year period the scope and complexity of delivery has increased massively from a single screen measuring 48m2 in 1985 to a 2023 equipment inventory including 2,500m2 of ROE LED display modules configured as 28 screens ranging in size from 21m2 to a massive 180m2 on the stage in the village used for the opening ceremony and as a central viewing area throughout the competition. All together a total of over 100 million pixels were delivered across the Maro Simone course.
The screens however are only half the story, an additional 600 televisions (typically 55” and 65”) are deployed throughout the corporate hospitality and retail/merchandise facilities, all connected on a course-wide IPTV netw

The Week in Light & Sound

Details: 03 October 2023

Just For One Day - Live Aid, one of the most famous concerts of all time, is to become a stage musical in London next year. The original event, at Wembley Stadium on 13 July 1985, was organised by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure to raise money for famine relief in Ethiopia. The musical, called Just For One Day, will feature songs played that day by acts including Queen, U2, Sir Elton John, Sir Paul McCartney and Sting. It will be on at London's Old Vic Theatre from 26 January to 30 March.
One thing that Geldof wants to make very clear is that there will not be anyone pretending to be the singers. "This isn't a tribute thing. I wouldn't have anything to do with that. So, there isn't a person dressed up as Freddie wearing a crap moustache. The songs drive the drama along," he says.
The plot of Just For One Day, named after a line in David Bowie's Heroes, wi

Donald De Witte - regional director Spain and Portugal

Lightware strengthens Iberian presence

Details: 03 October 2023

Spain - Lightware Visual Engineering has announced significant changes to the operation of its Lightware Iberia office, effective from this month, further strengthening Lightware’s presence in the Iberian region.
Donald De Witte, a seasoned professional with extensive experience in the ProAV industry, will take on the role as regional director Spain and Portugal for the Lightware Iberia office. De Witte joined Lightware as the director global partner strategy in May 2023, bringing with him over 25 years of experience gained while working as a business development manager at Cisco, where he specialised in collaboration services.
Lightware has had a successful presence within the Iberian market since 2017. Thanks to the consistent growth in the region, the company has decided to establish a dedicated office to serve the Iberia market. With a commitment to further expan

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