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Coda reinforces FIFA approved Qingdao stadium

Details: 14 July 2023

China - Part of the Park Sports Complex in the Chengyang district of the Chinese city of Qingdao, the Qingchun Football Stadium was designed by the China Southwest Architecture Design and Research Institute and built by China Construction Eighth Engineering Bureau. With seating for 55,000 spectators, the stadium constitutes a major development for international football in China.
With ambitions to stage the Asian Cup and World Cup tournaments in the future, the Stadium needed to conform to the stringent standards of the game’s worldwide governing body, FIFA, as set out in its Stadium Technical Recommendations and Requirements.
The fully-roofed, two-tier construction ‘provides for every requirement of players, officials, media representatives, VIPs and fans to interna

Ed Warren uses a combination of video tiles and lighting, along with fireworks throughout the band’s 90-minute-plus shows (photo: Picturesk)

Mumford & Sons play on with Chauvet show

Details: 14 July 2023

UK - After 14m albums sold, including two No. 1 hits, and a fistful of awards from Grammys to Brits, Mumford & Sons continue to surprise fans by pulling out widely varied musical influences, from ancient folk to highly polished modern rock.
On the band’s current global festival tour, designer Ed Warren reflects this expansive sense of discovery with a background that uses a combination of video tiles and lighting, along with fireworks from Strictly FX, to convey dramatically different impressions throughout the band’s 90-minute-plus shows.
At times, Warren creates a bright, seemingly solid wall of light behind the group, using the majority of the 108 Chauvet Professional Strike 1 fixtures in his kit, which is being supplied by Neg Earth in the UK and Europe, and Upstaging in the USA/Canada. During other segments of the show, the designer will have video images

Nick & Simon’s Ahoy farewell (photo: Nico Alsemgeest)

Robe Now and Someday for Nick & Simon

Details: 14 July 2023

The Netherlands - Successful singer-songwriter duo Nick & Simon (Nick Schilder & Simon Keizer) played six sold-out nights at Rotterdam’s Ahoy Arena, the culmination of their Nu of Ooit (Now or Someday) tour which also was the last time they will appear in this format, as after 17 years of performing together, both artists now intend to pursue solo careers.
Lighting was designed by Martijn Steman of Triple Showtechniek working closely with artistic / show director Ad de Haan from Live Legends with the help of approximately 220 x Robe moving lights on the live show rig, plus another 60 x Robe Spiiders appearing as virtual light sources within the digital scenery that defined the stage design and show aesthetic.
Jim de Brouwer from Live Legends created the set design in conjunction with Sander van der Ham of Bluepaper and creative Desiree van Giezen, wh

Christie Inspire Series laser projectors light up an immersive exhibit at the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Talent Hub (photo: Jianye Display)

Christie delivers visuals for Guangdong attractions

Details: 14 July 2023

China - Christie has announced that its Inspire Series 1DLP laser projectors have been selected by visitor attractions in China’s southern Guangdong province as their preferred projection system.
Over 80 projectors, including the Christie DWU760-iS, DWU860-iS, and DWU960-iS models have been fitted in the China Qiaodu Museum of Overseas Chinese and Jiangmen Local Chronicles Hall in Jiangmen City, as well as the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Talent Hub in Guangzhou.s
These projectors, supplied and installed by Christie’s partner Jianye Display, are equipped with a fixed motorised zoom lens and an IP5X dust-resistant optical engine.
“AV technologies, including projections, have been increasingly embraced by visitor attractions in China to bring exhibits to life with dynamic visuals,” said Zhongliang Li, technical director at Jianye Display. “

Protect and detect: Could Bluetooth audio help the live music industry?

Details: 13 July 2023

UK - Could advances in Bluetooth technology have benefits for the live music industry? Jonny McClintock, commercial director at Antennaware, CEO of Audio Codecs and advisor to Virscient, Segotia and Sonical, explores the issue . . .
McClintock: “Almost to the day, it’s been 12 months since I resigned my role in Qualcomm having looked after aptX for almost 30 years. In that time, I’d been on a journey that took aptX into over 12billion devices in the professional and consumer electronic audio sectors. The resignation was in part down to post-COVID, in part approaching 57 years old and an interest to see if I could ‘go again’, but mostly just a sense of frustration about wireless audio. This frustration was almost wholly around Bluetooth and how it really wasn’t delivering on its potential.
“When APT Licensing Limited was acquired by CSR in 2010, Bluetooth

Grayson Bowron - moving light technician

Bandit Lites grows production team

Details: 13 July 2023

USA - Bandit Lites has announced the hiring of Grayson Bowron to the production team in Nashville. As a moving light technician, Bowron will be responsible for diagnostics, repair of fixtures where needed, cleaning and learning about new fixtures when purchased.
“We were looking for some help in the warehouse and he came in and just got to work,” shares Bandit Lites vice president of business and innovation Jake Tickle. “There was never a project he wasn’t up for. As time went on, he naturally started taking on more responsibility. When talking to him about his future and what he wanted to do as a career, he mentioned he was interested in electronics, I immediately moved him to the technical services department. There, Grayson really showed his capabilities. He has a great intellectual curiosity and precision about him.”
“With a focus in the last six month

Enrico Ruotolo and Ira Friedland (John B. Anthony Company), John Kowalski (Wisycom), Angelo Fecci (John B. Anthony Company), Massimo Polo, CEO, Wisycom) and John B. Anthony Company’s Tom Jerzak and Rich Nichols

Wisycom appoints John B Anthony Company

Details: 13 July 2023

USA - Wisycom has appointed John B. Anthony Company as its new manufacturers’ representative for the north-eastern United States.
John B. Anthony Company will represent Wisycom’s entire suite of products, including its new MTP61 Miniature Multiband Transmitter, as well as its new LBC61 4+4 Battery Charger and its versatile new MTK982 dual-wideband stereo IEM/IFB transmitter, among other solutions.
“For over 50 years, we have had a proven track record of generating new business and growing companies, and we are very excited to add Wisycom to our portfolio of brands,” says Angelo Fecci, president and treasurer of John B. Anthony Company. “Our hope is that through our services, we will provide Wisycom with the representation they need, and will prove to be strong assets to their team.”
“Expanding our market is important to us and working with the Joh

Chauvet lights That Tent at Bonnaroo

Details: 13 July 2023

USA - Moving lighting fixtures around at a festival often requires some careful logistics. Moving crews around calls for considerable skill too. George Cannon got a first-hand view of both recently when he was hired by Harford Sound to be the house LD at the That Tent at Bonnaroo.
“Harford Sound was responsible for the That Tent and the This stage at the festival,” said Cannon. “They had morning and night shift crews that would tag off around 6-7 PM. We stayed at an Airbnb about 30 minutes away from site. So logistics alone for all those crew was a lot. Harford Sound and Rock the House AV did a great job making this project rock. The job everyone involved did was amazing.”
Tasked with providing audio, lighting and full staffing for both stages from 8am to 3am daily, Harford Sound broke the project into two shifts. With a crew 18 deep, the company furn

Astera shines brightly in Cape Town

Details: 13 July 2023

South Africa - Peter Lambert owns and runs a busy independent medium-sized camera and lighting system rental company based in Cape Town, whose clients work across a broad spectrum of broadcast and film/recording sectors including music videos, commercials, and streaming events. They also have a healthy cross rental business.
Three years ago, Peter started investing in Astera with the purchase of Titan Tubes, and since then demand continues to outstrip supply resulting in further purchases of Titans and Helios Tubes which have kept flowing steadily and now also include several sets of NYX Bulbs and Hydra Panels.
“I absolutely can’t get enough of the Astera kit,” declared Peter, who started the company in 2016.
The first Astera’s joined in 2020, supplied by South African distributor DWR, and Peter now has 10 sets of the 4ft Titan Tubes and two of the 2ft

Hampton Court Palace Music Festival 2023

WPL reinforces Hampton Court festival

Details: 13 July 2023

UK - Occupying the stunning Tudor courtyard, the two-week Hampton Court Palace Music Festival returned recently to this Grade I royal palace setting, dating back to the early 16th century and once home to Henry VIII.
Working within constraints of heritage buildings and tasked with creating a technical infrastructure for the event in recent years has been SWG Events.
A major investment in the manufacturer’s technology has enabled them to field an end-to-end solution (the latest acquisitions being further Torus T1215 speakers and SXC118 single 18in cardioid subwoofers). This is in support of their flagship WPL Wavefront Precision line array which was deployed as the main PA hangs.
All of which has this year delighted the many visiting sound engineers accompanying artists ranging from Gladys Knight, Kaiser Chiefs, Soft Cell, Kool & The Gang and Tom Jones, who

Technosound will represent the full range of amplifier solutions from LEA Professional

Technosound to distribute LEA Professional

Details: 13 July 2023

Lebanon - LEA Professional has announced a distribution partnership with Technosound of Beirut to support its customer base in the Middle East. This partnership allows LEA Professional to increase support for its existing customers in the region, as well as further develop new opportunities in the market.
Technosound has more than 50 years of experience in the audio industry and is a trusted distributor in the Lebanese high-end pro audio industry, dedicated to providing customers with customised quality solutions. The company will represent the full range of amplifier solutions from LEA Professional.
“We are always seeking new, dynamic partners to complete our offering,” said Georges Bitar, CEO of Technosound. “LEA Professional is a game-changer in this industry and we are proud to work with an innovative partner that is always looking to make things better, easi

By the end of the North American leg, Ed Sheeran’s Mathematics tour will have logged 89 shows in 49 cities

Ed Sheeran tour leverages latest technologies

Details: 13 July 2023

USA - Ed Sheeran’s Mathematics tour has entertained more than 4.5m fans across three continents since it launched in Dublin on 23 April of last year.
Additionally, the tour has been a valuable proving ground for advanced sound reinforcement technologies. The tour was the first to carry Milan AVB networked signals from FOH mix through to the individual loudspeaker boxes - in this case, 212 Panther large-format linear line array loudspeakers from Major Tom. The tour also has been a test bench for Meyer Sound’s new Nebra software platform for network configuration and system monitoring, while MAPP 3D prediction software has streamlined the task of realigning coverage for varying stadium shapes and sizes.
“The network has been rock solid, and we’ve used Milan AVB as our primary input since early in the European leg,” says system engineer Adam Wells. “Wit

The ZerOS 7.14 update is available to download now

Vari-Lite ZerOS update supports OSC

Details: 12 July 2023

USA - Vari-Lite has announced the ZerOS 7.14 update for FLX Series consoles. The update includes support for Open Sound Control (OSC), RS485-based Vision.Net and DMX Input.
“In small to medium-sized applications, where ZerOS-based consoles are most often found, users need multiple ways to adjust their lighting system quickly and easily,” says Jon Hole, global product manager, Vari-Lite Systems and Control at Signify. “Non-traditional entertainment lighting applications in theme parks, conferences and breakout rooms and museums need ways to trigger lighting effects in sync with the rest of the production. That’s why ZerOS 7.14 includes several new features designed to make it easier to control your lighting system without ever touching the console.”
The OSC input support in ZerOS 7.14 allows ZerOS-based consoles like the FLX Console, FLX S Series, and ZerOS Se

PAS equips Welcome to Leeds mobile

Details: 12 July 2023

UK - LeedsBID, a not-for-profit, non-political organisation, works to improve Leeds city centre for all. The organisation invests in projects, plans and activities to create a positive and dynamic profile for the city, aiming to attract talent, investment and visitors.
As part of its work to make the city more welcoming, the organisation deploys a small fleet of electric vehicles for street cleaning, event installation and delivery. Always seeking to maximise the impact of its work, the LeedsBID team wanted to equip a vehicle with two battery-powered screens to deliver essential daily information as well as advertising city events and activities. The idea for the Welcome to Leeds digital media vehicle was born, prompting LeedsBID to consult with Chris Beardwell, video and lighting sales at audio-visual specialists, Pro Audio Systems (PAS) of Bradford, over a way forward.

Windhoek bank joins digital age with Samsung

Details: 12 July 2023

Namibia - One of the largest banking groups in Namibia recently opened a new branch in Maerua Mall. This banking institution designed its latest branch with the digital age in mind and rolled out the upgraded format to two further branches at Rehoboth and Windhoek Lifestyle Centre. The integration of all three sites was led by Stage Audio Works (SAW) Namibia, in close cooperation with the client and suppliers.
The brief for the latest branch at Maerua Mall, and the rollout of upgrades to further branches, called for the installation of multiple digital screens, intended for the purpose of displaying information and showcasing branded content. SAW Namibia specified and installed a full Samsung visual system in each of the branches.
“The client was clear that the content on the digital screens needed to be managed remotely through a centralised system,” recalls Joppi

‘The studio boasts the highest specifications’

Brompton processes Cyans LED virtual studio

Details: 12 July 2023

Taiwan - Harvatek, a Taiwanese supplier of LEDs, has partnered with an experienced local equipment distributor to establish a joint subsidiary called Cyans Visual Creative Co. On 7 July, the company officially opened the doors to its virtual production studio.
Built inside the Formosa Television station (FTV) in the Linkou district, a hub for film and television productions in New Taipei City, the Cyans LED virtual studio is the country's first virtual production (VP) facility located within a broadcasting station. The studio boasts the highest specifications, adhering to the Netflix Partner Centre standard, and features LED processing provided by Brompton Technology.
Offering a plethora of virtual production and real-time integration services, the Cyans LED virtual studio caters to a wide range of commercial events, including press conferences, product launches, onlin

Commanding attention at the centre of the stage was a grand piano (photo: Sebastian Biesen)

Sefa captivates Cologne with Rogue Outcasts

Details: 12 July 2023

Germany - Sefa Jeroen Vlaarkamp, known by the stage name Sefa (pronounced Sèfa), has been making waves in the music scene with his high powered hardstyle and hardcore scene music, with Frenchcore as a subgenre.
Joined by a group of guest artists at Cologne’s Die Halle Tor 2, Sefa shook up the famed venue during a four-and-a-half-hour show with a blend of musical influences coming together in a multi-sensory experience that combined the fiery intensity of hardstyle with the melodic influences found in Frenchcore.
With the technical support and lighting design of Guido Schütz of Laser Frame and Patrick Hirt of Creative Sounds Veranstaltungstechnik, the show captivated the audience.
Commanding attention at the centre of the stage was a grand piano. Adding to the visual impact of that piano, which was set up on a rolling platform, were the four Chauvet Profession

GLP will contribute a portion of the profits from the new Creative Light products to BTS

GLP supports Behind the Scenes initiative

Details: 12 July 2023

USA - Behind the Scenes has announced that GLP German Light Products has joined its Pledge-of-Support Programme. The company will contribute a portion of the profits from their new Creative Light products to Behind the Scenes.
GLP German Light products provides designers around the globe with environmentally friendly and energy-optimised lighting solutions that are both uncompromisingly creative and powerful. Creative Light products are the first battery-powered and completely wireless creative LED systems for maximum flexibility in an almost unlimited range of applications.
Director of sales and marketing for GLP German Light Products Tyler Wise states: “Partnering with the Behind the Scenes Pledge-of-Support Programme is important to GLP because we believe so much in the organisation and its value to the industry. BTS provides direct positive impact to colleagues a

TAFE’s Robina campus now offers a range of courses, including those related to hospitality, sport and events

CORIOmaster mini projects at TAFE Queensland

Details: 12 July 2023

Australia - Training organisation TAFE has launched a new campus in the Gold Coast city of Robina, offering learners AV-rich facilities and projections driven by a tvONE CORIOmaster mini video processor.
Integrator Videopro was approached to specify a sustainable, smart and ‘progressive’ audio and video package. Their team had successfully used the CORIOmaster mini on previous projects where multiple projectors and screens required specific image formats and edge blending, and knew it would be a fitting solution at the Robina campus.
At the heart of the projections inside the new building, the team has installed a CORIOmaster mini chassis with five slots, fitted out with a CORIOmaster HDMI 4K-2 input module three HDCP Compliant, 2-Port output module HDBaseT with scaling modules. All the tvONE kit was sourced from tvONE Australia partner, Corsair Solutions.

The final L-ISA configuration consisted of a main Scene System of five hangs of 12 L-Acoustics K2 each

My Hair is Bad wraps tour with L-ISA shows

Details: 12 July 2023

Japan - Formed in 2008, the three-piece Japanese rock band My Hair is Bad recently wrapped up the Ultimate Homerun Tour with final arena series concerts in the Osaka-Jo Hall and in a Tokyo arena. The tour, which began in the middle of 2022 as Japan’s pandemic restrictions on entertainment began to ease, culminated with these two arena concerts that featured a special immersive audio experience.
The band’s sound engineer, Hironori Ochi had first learned of L-ISA technology from Masaaki Nagayasu, systems engineer at L-Acoustics certified rental agent Hibino Sound, who hosted Mr. Ochi to an L-ISA workshop in his personal studio. On discovering the capabilities of L-ISA, Mr. Ochi began working on the design of an L-ISA Hyperreal Sound system for the 10,000-capacity Osaka-Jo Hall arena concert.
“I received L-ISA training with L-Acoustics in the spring of 2022. The im

The700-seat theatre stages around 400 productions per season

Nexo ID immerses Salzburg State Theatre

Details: 12 July 2023

Austria - Designed by noted Viennese architects Fellner and Helmer, the Salzburg State Theatre was completed in 1893 and is today the leading venue for performing arts in the historic Austrian city. This 700-seat theatre stages around 400 productions per season, encompassing drama, opera, ballet and youth theatre.
For the project of renovating the stage facilities and installing new sound and lighting systems, the theatre turned to experienced stage technology solutions consultants BWKI located in Bayreuth, Germany, with the very specific instruction that no loudspeakers should be visible in the historic hall.
BWKI system planner Jürgen Meyer, himself an experienced sound engineer, reports: “To replace the existing line array, we worked with Nexo to design a system based around four ID84/84L cabinets coupled to create a single, 4m column that was just 150mm wide, so

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