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Rotterdam Rave kicks-off 2023 with MDG at Ahoy

The RTM Stage needed to prove its worth as ‘a genuine rave cave’ (photo: Peitsman/Mitchell Dobbelstein)

Details: 12 May 2023

The Netherlands - Techno-based Rotterdam Rave runs up to 10 underground rave events a year which draw in excess of 50,000 visitors. Originally located in old industrial buildings, the sold-out events have grown rapidly in size, and the organisation recently adopted the 8000-capacity RTM Stage at Rotterdam Ahoy as the newest addition to the Rotterdam Rave territory. As a purpose-built venue, the RTM Stage needed to prove its worth as ‘a genuine rave cave with plenty of underground vibes’.
Helping bring about this transformation at the Rotterdam Rave Kick-Off 2023 event in February was Peitsman Licht en Geluid BV, which supplied two MDG ATMe haze generators to Stöd for show designer, Joël Lemmerling, and lighting designer, Guy van Noorden.
Peitsman’s project leader

Quantum852 includes a raft of eco credentials

DiGiCo launches eco-friendly Quantum852

Details: 11 May 2023

UK - DiGiCo has announced the launch of ‘the next generation of large format live audio production mixing consoles’. Quantum852 delivers ‘a massive leap forward in processing power’. It is neatly packaged with 1000 nit LCD screens for full daylight operation and a newly designed worksurface, giving users the confidence that, true to the DiGiCo ethos, Quantum852 has been designed not just for now, but for the future, says the company.
Quantum852 also includes a raft of eco credentials. Its lightweight alloy construction reduces weight, which in turn helps mitigate its environmental impact during transportation. It has a reduced operating power, thermal cooling fans along with convection cooling and temperature dependent cooling. Further reducing Quantum852’s environmental footprint is the inclusion of sustainable and recyclable materials.
Quantum852’s tech s

Rend Collective’s 2023 Whosoever tour goes coast-to-coast

Versatile Chauvet rig lights Rend Collective

Details: 11 May 2023

USA - Mike Marcario faced challenges when creating the lighting rig for Rend Collective’s 2023 Whosoever tour. The chart-topping Northern Irish Worship band decided that they would be taking two tour bus trailers on their coast-to-coast US tour, which meant that space for gear was at a premium.
“Space was definitely a big concern,” said Marcario. “With two bus trailers, varying stage sizes, and power limitations the fixtures we selected had to be compact, low weight, and low power draw.”
Complicating matters further, some of the venues have little in the way of house rigs, which means that Marcario and the design team have to rely heavily or solely on their touring package to create the varied and engaging looks in the 75-minute show.
Marcario’s solution was to devise a plan that had each fixture fill multiple roles. “There aren’t a lot of fixture

Stage Audio Works’ new offices on Faraday Street, Windhoek

SAW Namibia upgrades operations

Details: 11 May 2023

Namibia - Stage Audio Works (SAW) Namibia recently moved into new offices in Faraday Street, Windhoek. Leaving behind their old headquarters in Diesel Street, the new facility will help focus and improve operations in the long term and provide a demo space for clients to experience SAW’s application-ready solutions.
The office changeover was carried out in multiple phases to ensure that SAW Namibia’s service to active clients remained unaffected. The new office offers a streamlined, professional design, whilst retaining the functionality required for SAW Namibia to serve its core markets. Furthermore, clients within the corporate, media and entertainment industries will benefit from hands-on experience with products in the new experience centre. Naturally, the technology deployed at Faraday Street was implemented by SAW Namibia’s own integration experts.
"We coul

Maidstone’s MuMu gets Martin Audio makeover

Details: 11 May 2023

UK - Maidstone's MuMu nightclub recently underwent a major refurbishment after a significant fire in 2021. The nightclub had to shut down for several months to carry out repairs and refurbishment. However, with the recent installation of a Martin Audio stereo monitoring solution by Middlesex Sound and Lighting, the lounge and bar is now back and ready to deliver.
The venue, which includes a traditional Irish pub, a speakeasy, a hidden laundromat room, an eatery and restaurant, a newly refurbished cabaret bar, and a basement club area, presented a challenging opportunity for the team at Middlesex Sound and Lighting.
"The whole space is like a labyrinth,” recalls Darrel Olivier, director of Middlesex Sound and Lighting. “The main room is accessed via a small corridor which leads upstairs and along the way, there are these washing machines with quirky content displaye

Light artist Christopher Bauder’s presentation on Berlin light exhibition Dark Matter, Stage of Inspiration (photo: Louise Stickland)

Robe takes to The Stage of Tomorrow

Details: 11 May 2023

Poland - Robe was a gold sponsor of the 5th Scena Jutra (Stage of Tomorrow) conference, a high profile two day industry symposium taking place at the Teatr Wielki Polish National Opera in Warsaw, organised by the Stage of Tomorrow Foundation.
An impressive array of high-profile Polish and international speakers and influencers ensured there was plenty of interest in the diverse programme that explored multiple topics and themes all related to stage presentation, scenography, dramaturgy, theatricality, and expression over 50 separate sessions. Debates, discussions and presentations focused on how new and developing technologies - from the latest lighting fixtures and sound systems to VR, real-time visual tools remote tracking and AI - might affect the future creation of emotional experiences for audiences and guests.
Scena Jutra president Rafal Rzeczkowski was delight

Central to the delivery of the visitor experience is a Nexo ID Series sound system

Nexo strikes the right chords at Bowl & Co

Details: 11 May 2023

Germany - Located in the southern town of Leonberg, Bowl & Co takes bowling to a new level. Visitors can enjoy a choice of 18 lanes, with Spark technology on eight lanes enabling the projection of custom photographs, game results and stats directly onto the lane, or play enhanced games with targets displayed directly on the tracks. And when the bowling is over, then it’s time to relax in the bar and restaurant, play darts or billiards, or perhaps take in a movie at the on-site IMAX cinema.
Central to the delivery of the visitor experience is a Nexo ID Series sound system installed by local audio-visual technology specialists Fein Media. Designed in collaboration with the Nexo Engineering Support team, the system provides the power and headroom to go way beyond background music and announcements, creating a party atmosphere in the venue, particularly on the regular DJ n

Fulcrum promotes Todd Foster to VP of sales

Details: 10 May 2023

USA - Fulcrum Acoustic has announced the promotion of Todd Foster to vice president sales. Since 2013, Foster has spearheaded the development of the company's North American market. Under his leadership, Fulcrum Acoustic has experienced substantial growth of its domestic business and sales force.
“Todd’s strategic approach to sales has been instrumental in the expansion of Fulcrum’s footprint domestically,” explains Stephen Siegel, president of Fulcrum Acoustic. “As we look to expand our export business, it’s natural to move Todd into a position where he can bring that same approach to the global sales team.”
“The last 10 years have been an exciting time at Fulcrum,” says Foster. “I’ve enjoyed being a part of this growing company and supporting our North American market. I look forward to serving our international clients and expanding support fo

The unit is available and shipping from June 2023

Obsidian Netron RP2 offers system protection

Details: 10 May 2023

USA - Obsidian Control Systems is has introduced the Netron RP2, an intelligent two-way DMX power relay that serves as a protective device for lighting fixtures. The RP2 helps to increase efficiency by reducing power consumption, protecting sensitive equipment and prolonging the longevity of lighting systems. The unit is available and shipping from June 2023.
The RP2 is configurable via an integrated OLED display and encoder with real-time status and power consumption feedback. It features optional smart power sequencing and DMX traffic detection to allow complete automation of fixture power based on DMX status. Simply turn the console on or off, and the system will follow along.
An internal clock allows for independent standalone operation or automate the power outputs to specific days and times. For example, a system could be turned off every day at midnight to avoid

The recently concluded global All Time High tour

Chauvet colours Epik High global experience

Details: 10 May 2023

UK - First time visitors to an Epik High show can be forgiven if they think they stumbled upon a family reunion, or an annual gathering of old friends, such is the easy, natural, and very personal back and forth between this South Korean hip-hop trio and their loyal fans.
Tablo, DJ Tukutz and Mithra Jin, the trio that make up Epik High, welcome fans into their world, by sharing stories and experiences. The crowd eagerly accepts the invitation with their warm, enthusiastic (and often loud) response their heroes.
“My biggest challenge was protecting my ears from the sound of the fans around me,” said Aaron Sweatt, the LD and main programmer on the trio’s recently concluded global All Time High tour, which featured a lighting design by Julien Reux. “The emotional connection between these artists and their fans is really very remarkable.”
Given this connect

The event began with a stunning opening ceremony

League of Legends delivers with Martin fixtures

Details: 10 May 2023

USA - Lighting designers Mathew Stovall, Tiffany Keys, Pete Thornbury and Michael Appel worked together to provide the League of Legends World Championship Finals in San Francisco with an impressive lighting rig featuring an array of Martin professional lighting solutions, supplied by Christie Lites, with MAC Aura PXL playing a key role.
League of Legends is a team-based multiplayer online battle arena video game by developer and publisher Riot Games. Founded in 2011, the League of Legends World Championship is the annual tournament to decide the best team in the world each year, and regularly attracts viewership in the hundreds of millions, making it the global leader in esports. The most recent edition of the tournament began on September 29 and culminated in the 2022 League of Legends World Championship Final on November 5, 2022 at the Chase Centre in San Francisco.

Renkus-Heinz strengthens technical support

Details: 10 May 2023

USA - Renkus-Heinz has further strengthened its sales and marketing team with the appointment of Dan Housel as applications engineer.
Housel has extensive music and professional audio experience, most recently working in pro audio sales at Group One Limited. Before that, Housel worked for Enko Systems, Inc. in AV design, engineering, installations, programming and sales.
“I’m excited to join Renkus-Heinz in the role of applications engineer. I’m confident that my years of experience in the music and pro audio space will be an asset to the technical support team,” Housel said. “I’m looking forward to helping our customers realize the best possible experiences and results with our products.”
As a member of the Renkus-Heinz technical support team, Housel will work closely with product manager Brandon Heinz.

Laurent Rault - senior sales director for retail business in Western Europe

Shure names senior sales director for retail

Details: 10 May 2023

UK - Shure has announced the appointment of Laurent Rault as its new senior sales director to lead the company’s retail business in Western Europe, one of the key markets supporting Shure’s growth.
Laurent Rault brings to Shure more than 25 years of experience in audio, with a focus in the consumer electronics industry. Rault has solid knowledge and a background in managing all facets of distribution across Europe, including distribution partnership management, direct account management, digital commerce, product marketing, and digital marketing.
“We are excited to welcome Laurent to the team,” said Abby Kaplan, vice president, global retail sales, at Shure. “He has achieved extraordinary results during his tenured career, and we are convinced his expertise and deep industry knowledge will lead the European team throughout a successful journey in the coming

The PepsiCo International Franchise Forum (photo: Steve Nield)

Ayrton makes magic for PepsiCo in Barcelona

Details: 10 May 2023

Spain - Lighting designer and technical director of PepsiCo Worldwide Events, Steve Nield, brought plenty of magic to the Ballroom of The Hotel Sofia in Barcelona for the PepsiCo International Franchise Forum.
He chose 112 Ayrton MagicPanel R fixtures to introduce an exciting, colourful and versatile element to the backdrop for the evening’s presentations that took place in front of an audience of 400 people. The MagicPanel Rs were rigged in a side orientation, in clusters of 14 units – two wide and seven high - filling the space between large LED screens which formed the backdrop for this 40m x 21m ballroom.
“The intention was to incorporate the MagicPanels into the scenic design to carry complimenting colours and tone across the whole visual canvas,” explains Nield. “The fixtures were run in full channel mode to allow some pixel mapping, however the inbuil

RJ Sales director Claus Spreyer (centre) with PSI Production managing director Brian Reilly (right) and David McKeown

PSI Production to distribute Robert Juliat in Ireland

Details: 10 May 2023

Ireland - Robert Juliat has announced the appointment of PSI Production as its new exclusive distributor for the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, with effect from April 2023.
PSI Production was established in 1996 to provide high-quality technical solutions to the corporate, arts and entertainment industry.
Its lighting department specialises in all aspects of lighting from theatrical, architectural, live concerts and festivals, to television, conferences and special events. PSI also has an in-house lighting design team, and a network of talented LDs at its disposal.
The company will be responsible for promoting and supporting the entire range of Robert Juliat lighting products. With offices located in Belfast and Dublin, it is well placed to service all clients on the island.
“As Ireland’s principal technical production company, PSI Production

The Week in Light & Sound

Details: 09 May 2023

Armed Presence - Drones will be restricted from flying above Liverpool during Eurovision, as police in Merseyside prepare for their biggest ever operation. Merseyside Police said restrictions affecting drones would be in place from 23:00 BST until 14 May, the day after the competition final. A "visible armed presence" was also expected as about 100,000 extra visitors are set to travel to the city.
Liverpool is preparing to host the UK's first Eurovision Song Contest for more than 20 years. Two semi-finals and a final will take place at the M&S Bank Arena between 9 and 13 May. Ch Insp Iain Wyke said: "Our policing plans for the Eurovision Song Contest take land, sea and air into consideration and these airspace restrictions, just like other security measures such as road closures or patrols on the River Mersey, are aimed at keeping people safe."
Short List -

The Top Hats were developed based on City Theatrical’s understanding of the special accessory needs of lighting professionals

City Theatrical launches Top Hats for Halcyon

Details: 09 May 2023

USA/Europe - City Theatrical now offers two standard Top Hats as beam control accessories designed to fit ETC High End Systems’ Halcyon Gold and Titanium lighting fixtures. These Top Hats were developed based on City Theatrical’s understanding of the special accessory needs of lighting professionals, and the high demand for this moving light fixture in the market. Each new Top Hat for High End Systems Halcyon is a beam control product that offers control of stray beams and light spill.
City Theatrical’s engineers and craftspeople design and create beam shaping lighting accessories, like the new Top Hat for High End Halcyon Gold (P/N 2720) and Top Hat for High End Halcyon Titanium (P/N 2725), from their New Jersey-based factory. This product launch also includes a new Screw Kit for Top Hats for High End Halcyon fixtures (P/N 104-00792) to complement the products and ass

The new V2 software promises MultiCell capabilities,and improved user interface

Significant upgrade for Showtec Lampy

Details: 09 May 2023

UK - Showtec has announced that a major software upgrade is now available for their Lampy DMX consoles, significantly improving and extending their functionality. The new V2 software promises MultiCell capabilities, a completely redesigned and improved user interface, a CIE colour picker, normally only found on much higher-end consoles, and much more. The new Showtec Lampy Re-Load 4 is an expansion kit that adds four universes to any Lampy V2.
The Lampy V2 software promises a host of new features and improvements. The most significant upgrade is the addition of MultiCell capabilities, an important and handy feature when programming LED pixel bars or a complex show, for example. It allows you to easily manipulate multiple identical values within a fixture at the same time. To handle MultiCell, a new Fixture Editor is included in the new V2 software.
Another new feature

The JBL GSF and JBL GSB Series provide a comprehensive portfolio to suit outdoor applications

JBL landscape speakers shipping in the UK

Details: 09 May 2023

UK - Harman’s JBL Professional and UK distributor Sound Technology has announced immediate UK availability of the JBL GSF3 and GSF6 Garden Ground Stake aimable full-range landscape speakers, and GSB8 and GSB12 Garden In-Ground Subwoofers.
The compact, weather-resistant GSF Garden Full-Range landscape speakers provide fidelity and aimable coverage for a wide range of outdoor applications. GSF3 is a full-range two-way coax with a 3” low-frequency plus a tweeter. GSF6 is also a higher output two-way wide bandwidth coax, with a 6” low-frequency and a tweeter.
In addition to the ground stake (which simply presses into the ground), the GSF3 and GSF6 include a versatile L-bracket to secure to horizontal surfaces such as decking, or vertical surfaces such as the sides of buildings and posts.
The JBL GSB8 and GSB12 In-Ground 8-inch and 12-inch Landscape Subwoofers

The system had to enhance the architectural beauty of the tower, while incorporating full colour changing for special events

Epsom Clock Tower upgrades with Prolights

Details: 09 May 2023

UK - The Epsom Clock Tower is a significant landmark in the community and has been a part of the town's heritage since 1847. A well-known landmark loved by locals and visitors alike, it was lit in 2020, during the pandemic, to recognise the NHS. After the success of this, Epsom Borough Council approached Surrey based STLS to upgrade the lighting system of the iconic clock tower as part of its refurbishment.
The old lighting system needed the upgrade to improve visibility and energy efficiency. STLS was able to complete the upgrade using LED technology from Prolights sourced from A.C. Entertainment Technologies (AC-ET). This has not only improved the appearance of the clock tower but has also reduced energy costs and carbon emissions, making it a win-win situation for both the community and the environment.
The brief was to install an easy-to-use multipurpose LED soluti

The opulent interior of the Royal Opera House Muscat (photo: Khalid Al-Busaidi, ROHM)

Muscat opera house chooses Color Force II

Details: 09 May 2023

Oman – The Royal Opera House Muscat (ROHM) is one of the most opulent jewels in the world of classical music venues and a spectacular focal point for the region’s performing arts. Recently, the ROHM has carried out an upgrade to its stage lighting system, including the addition of 26 Color Force II 48 LED battens by Chroma-Q, purchased from A.C. Entertainment Technologies (AC-ET).
Standing on Muscat’s main thoroughfare, Sultan Qaboos Street, ROHM – commissioned by Sultan Qaboos bin Said himself – is the leading arts and culture centre in the Sultanate of Oman. This ornate building opened its doors on 12 October 2011, with a production of Turandot, conducted by Spanish tenor Placido Domingo. Today, showcasing a diverse programme of artistic, cultural and educational content, this venue plays host to leading classical and operatic performances from around the

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