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01 August 2024

USA - Michigan’s multi-genre Electric Forest music festival ramped up its AV offering this year, with the monumental Sherwood Court stage’s proscenium arch LED screen displaying content powered by tvONE’s Green Hippo brand of Hippotizer Media Servers, which are distributed by ACT Entertainment in North America.

Visual solutions company Observatory, which has provided scenic visual content and delivery/VJ services for Electric Forest’s Sherwood Court Stage since 2022, were brought on by Leisure Expert Group - the creative directors of Insomniac, who part own the festival. Observatory’s Simon Harris and his team worked closely with Leisure Expert Group to transform their visual brief into animated visual content.

To realise the visual delivery, they specified two Green Hippo Hippotizer V4 Tierra+ MK2 Media Servers, provided by Screenworks NEP

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01 August 2024

Europe - Turkey is a thriving market, especially for Luci Della Ribalta (LDR) which, thanks to the synergy with distributor Atempo, has managed to create a strong foothold in the country and for LDR products to be chosen for a number of prestigious installations in recent years.

These include the Cultural and Artistic Centre of the 100th Anniversary of the Republic of Türkiye in the Etimesgut Municipality, a multifunctional cultural centre where as many 70 units of LDR's Nota PC 1200 have been installed thanks to Atempo.

Most recently, Atempo has concluded work on the State Theatres – Sehitkamil Stage project, located in Gaziantep, where 24 LDR Alba PC250 W 3200K, and 48 LDR Arpa PC150 3200K LED luminaires have been chosen and installed.

The project was designed by Atempo and construction of the building began in 2021. The project was orig

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01 August 2024

UK - The Let’s Go Round Again (One Last Time) tour was the final, farewell trip around the highways of Average White Band’s (AWB) UK roots. From Manchester to Scotland via the Royal Albert Hall, the tour was a celebration of the power of AWB.

Charlie Dale, at the front of house position, chose to tour with a DiGiCo SD10, thanks to the accessibility of the console’s surface and Mark Gazaille at the monitor position opted for the SD12. The tour covered the UK over April and May, with the band saying their final goodbyes in the USA from July.

Charlie Dale has been with the band since meeting them at his day job, mixing sound at Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club. The band had arrived without an engineer, so he jumped in, sparking a relationship that would stand the test of time and continue for over 15 years. The choice to tour a DiGiCo SD10 was

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01 August 2024

USA - Milkshake Concepts, the Dallas-based hospitality group, has unveiled Saaya, their latest dynamic dining and nightlife destination. Bespoke Technology Group was contracted to understand the goal for Saaya and come up with an optimal audio design and installation.

Bespoke Technology Group is a Dallas-based audiovisual integration company specializing in customised audio solutions for a variety of venues. Central to this design is the integration of high-performance 1 Sound loudspeakers.

Saaya needed an audio system that could provide both high quality background music and impactful sound for DJ sets and night-time events. "The trick was to have a system that could set the atmosphere and play elegant background music during the week but still crank up to DJ levels on the weekend," explained Phil Ayache, president of Bespoke Technology.

Bes

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01 August 2024

USA - The Adam Hall Group is further expanding its international sales network with the appointment of ATS-Pro as the exclusive distributor for its lighting brand, Cameo.

ATS-Pro is a division of Activate The Space. Under the leadership of CEO Christopher Pelzar, ATS-Pro focuses on the distribution of LED lighting fixtures. “Professional lighting technology – along with how it’s used – spans many areas, and the American market expects quality products and first-class service,” says Pelzar. “With the combination of Cameo lighting solutions and the excellent support from ATS-Pro, Cameo will stand out from the competition in all targeted verticals.”

Markus Jahnel, COO of Adam Hall Group, adds: “We are delighted to have found an experienced distribution partner for Cameo in ATS-Pro. Christopher Pelzar and his team have been familiar with

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31 July 2024

USA - TAIT Group companies productionglue and Thinkwell will now be operating within a singular TAIT brand identity.

“TAIT has always pushed the boundaries of storytelling. With the creative and producing capabilities of Thinkwell and productionglue, we are offering an unmatched depth and breadth of skill to our partners,” said Adam Davis, chief executive officer, TAIT. “We bring a legacy of innovation and a desire to solve impossible problems. Solidifying this singular brand represents a fusion of creativity and technology, which provides unparalleled possibilities for our partners.”

“Our new brand identity is a reflection of the deep expertise and strength of our unified TAIT organisation, consisting of the most exceptionally skilled professionals in the business,” said Jennifer Kurland, chief brand officer, TAIT. “Representing TAIT a

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31 July 2024

UK - An innovative event power solution was deployed by Energy Management Solutions to run the whole site from a large battery for the first time in the UK, reducing carbon emissions at Brighton’s series of On The Beach shows this month.

Sixty thousand people attended the concert series, featuring artists ranging from Bicep, Underworld, The Kooks, Sub-Focus, Carl Cox and The Libertines.

NW Live delivered the site planning and management and production, their project lead Joe Nichols, comments: “Having worked with Gerhard and James at Energy MS to introduce the solar panels for the production village last year, we were delighted to work with them again and be the first large event to run all of our site off a giant battery and be able to extend our carbon reduction protocols.”

Energy MS invested in a 275kVA battery with 500 kWh

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31 July 2024

UK - Opened in May 2024, Woodland Village is a new accommodation site at Legoland Windsor Resort. Offering a family stay in a woodland retreat, Woodland Village also encompasses an entertainment and hospitality space, The Clubhouse Restaurant and Bar, which required the integration of an immersive, zoned audio system to enhance the guest experience.

David Shepherd of DS Audio led the sound design on the project, having worked with Legoland Windsor Resort on previous areas within the park. Shepherd collaborated closely with the internal technical team and integrators, JPSL, to design and install a full EM Acoustics system that would provide immersive background audio and sound reinforcement for onstage performances. 

“The Clubhouse required highly intelligible, zoned audio and an entertainment system to support a small stage area that sits alongsid

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31 July 2024

UK - The stunning backdrop of the historic Ragley Hall in Warwickshire once again played host to the Adventure Bike Rider (ABR) Festival 2024, the UK’s biggest motorcycle festival returning to the estate for its fifth year.

Henley Theatre Services was commissioned by the festival organisers to provide all the stages, technical production support and onsite technical crew to operate the main Bikerhead Stage and five further stages located at various positions across the ABR Festival site. 

Adventure motorcycling enthusiasts from around the globe geared up for a celebration of freedom, exploration and community from 27-30 June 2024. Fifteen thousand bikers descended on the beautiful Ragley Hall estate over a sun-packed weekend, which provided the perfect location for guided test ride events with 29 leading motorcycle manufacturers.

The Milos

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31 July 2024

UK - This year, Stage Sound Services integrated Clear-Com advanced communication systems supplied by Amber Sound into two of the West End’s most high-profile shows. The technical capabilities of Clear-Com’s Arcadia system have been integral to the seamless execution of complex audio and communication requirements for Stranger Things at the Phoenix Theatre and MJ The Musical at the Prince Edward Theatre..

The critically acclaimed Stranger Things adaptation at the Phoenix Theatre has greatly benefited from Clear-Com’s communication solutions. Spearheaded by sound designer Paul Arditti, with associates Chris Reid and Rob Bettle, the production’s sound team deployed Arcadia.

Rob Bettle, leveraging his extensive experience with Clear-Com’s HelixNet Digital Network Partyline System and FreeSpeak II wireless systems, was

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31 July 2024

Saudi Arabia - On Saturday, 22 June, fans descended on the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh for the UFC Fight Night: Whittaker vs. Aliskerov. While Clair Global has previously provided audio services for UFC globally, this was the first partnership for live audiences in the Middle East.

The occasion was led by Phil Campbell and mixed by FOH Engineer Andy Banks, who opted for a Yamaha Rivage PM7 from Clair's ever-growing Middle East inventory.

To fully service UFC's live audio requirements, Clair Global regional manager, Stu Wright, oversaw the deployment of an in-the-round Cohesion PA. The system, which has been chosen for music tours by major artists including Bad Bunny, Blackpink, The Weeknd, U2 and many more, also delivers quality audio clarity for high end live sports performances.

Clair Global UAE COO, Al Woods, says: "The event is televised for

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31 July 2024

Spain - To celebrate their 25 years of musical success, the Spanish duo Estopa is embarking on a tour that is setting new benchmarks in every city they visit. Beyond their distinctive musical style and engaging stage presence, the tour's standout feature is its impressive stage design, which showcases an extraordinary lighting experience crafted by Juanjo Beloqui and supported by equipment from Fluge Audiovisuales and Stonex, the Spanish distributors of Claypaky.  Claypaky fixtures are playing a pivotal role in delivering this visual spectacle.

After a successful tour across the United States and Latin America, Estopa is now bringing their anniversary celebration to Spanish cities including Valencia, Sevilla, Madrid, and Bilbao. From the grandeur of Civitas Metropolitano to the Ciudad de las artes y las ciencias in Valencia, the tour is offering audiences a

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31 July 2024

Switzerland - Schwingen, known colloquially as trouser wrestling, is a martial art practised almost exclusively in Switzerland. An unofficial national sport, the annual NWS Championship is a celebration of this cultural tradition. Hosted in an open-air venue designed to accommodate thousands of enthusiasts, alongside plenty of wrestling, this year’s event also showcased an audio system installation from Wharfedale Pro.

In a collaboration between technical event specialists, Powerlight and Pixava, distributors Sacher Music and Wharfedale Pro's own application and solution manager, Alex Lane, the event was an action-packed day of Swiss traditions accompanied by clear, high-quality audio.

The venue, featuring four grandstands, can host up to 4,500 visitors with two grandstands seating approximately 1,050 visitors each, and the other two accommodating

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30 July 2024

UK - The countdown is on for the 2024 PLASA Awards for Innovation, with the early bird submission deadline fast approaching. Industry innovators are encouraged to enter their groundbreaking products by Friday, 2 August, to benefit from a 20% discount on the entry fee.

In partnership with LSi, the PLASA Awards celebrate products that exemplify new thinking, enhance technical practice or safety, introduce novel materials or techniques, or offer new commercial advantages within the live entertainment technology sector.

An independent panel of industry experts will evaluate each entry, with up to eight awards available. One of these may be elevated to the prestigious Gold Award, recognising an outstanding new product. All nominated products will be prominently featured in the Innovation Gallery at the heart of the PLASA Show floor and in

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30 July 2024

UK - John Simpson was a force to be reckoned with, a passionate collaborator and true pioneer of the theatre industry. Chair of Backup from 2016 to 2022, John improved the lives of many through his hard work and tireless dedication to the theatrical industry.

The Backup trustees are gratefully announcing that this dedication has continued after his death with a generous legacy bequeathed to Backup. Through this gift, John has enabled Backup to move forward confidently into 2025 and beyond, safe in the knowledge that technicians in need will continue be able to count on their support. John’s generosity will also enable more training to take place, furthering the reach of Backup’s support network and bettering the lives of even more people throughout the industry and beyond.

John worked tirelessly for over 50 years in theatre. His interest was form

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30 July 2024

France - Robe’s new iBOLT made its French debut in grand style at a recent Monumental event at the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Laon Aisne in the Hauts-de-France.

Monumental is an interactive music and visual live experience concept imagined and presented by DJ, music producer and live experience innovator Michael Canitrot.

He has styled a series of these bespoke performances which are staged in and around some of France’s most striking landmarks. Built in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, the Laon Cathedral heritage site is one of the most important and stylistically unified examples of early French Gothic architecture.

The event’s lighting was designed by Mikael (Mika) Trochu who specified the six iBOLTS, rented from Dushow, which were positioned in an arc around the DJ booth, so they were right at the epicentre of th

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30 July 2024

UK - Rik Kirby has been appointed to the newly-created role of commercial manager for TiMax, and Out Board motor control brands, recently acquired by Focusrite Plc.

Originally from the UK where he worked in international sales management for BSS Audio and Turbosound, Kirby moved to the United States and Renkus-Heinz in California over 20 years ago, before starting his own pro-audio distribution company, Allied ProTech.

Returning to the UK, Kirby assumes the global development of sales and promotion channels for both TiMax Spatial and Out Board motor control, building upon the thriving business of both brands to further develop new opportunities for growth across all territories and sectors.

“I first encountered the TiMax products over 20 years ago at an AES event where we were respectively presenting,” explains Kirby. “I was really draw

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30 July 2024

UK - Celestial, the Somerset-based drone show artists, lit up the skies above The Secret Garden Party in Abbots Ripton, Cambridgeshire, on Saturday night as part of the That’s Show Business spectacle with its drone show, Creativity Unchained.

The show was ‘a collaborative effort with Secret Designs and was a powerful ode to the freedom of creative expression, urging a break from the impact of consumerism on artistic expression and calling for a return to the roots of pure, untainted creativity’.

The drone show used vivid imagery, such as skulls, dollar signs and a phoenix rising from the ashes to underscore its message that creativity should have no bounds, winning over the attention of the festival goers. The show, spanning 130m wide and 70m high, featured an impressive 504 choreographed drones.

Celestial were invited

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30 July 2024

Germany - With the Opus X4 Profile, Cameo has introduced its most powerful LED moving head to date. The new top model is a spot profile moving head with a 1,400-watt LED white-light engine which generates enormous light output of 50,000 lumens and provides powerful spot and gobo projections – even on the biggest stages.

Its little brother, the Opus X Profile, has already made impressions in the past with its 750 watts in countless live, TV, and theatre productions. The Opus X4 Profile now marks the next stage in Opus development: the combination of a 1,400-watt LED engine, 193mm front lens, and particularly large 5°–55° zoom range enables equally flexible use as a spot and as a profile moving head. At the same time, the X4 Profile is only slightly larger and heavier than the X Profile, despite its large leap in performance, and is still just as flexibl

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30 July 2024

UK - Avolites has announced the return of an Avolites original employee - Rebbecca Cadd - as one of its Titan trainers and training co-ordinator for the UK.

Rebbecca initially worked for Avolites some years ago and has since worked for other lighting console brands in the UK.

Avolites’ MD Paul Wong says, “Rebbecca’s extensive relationships with UK users and companies, as well as her knowledge of Avolites, makes her ideal to ensure that Avolites can satisfy the increasing demand for our training.”

Rebbecca comments, “I’m delighted to be re-joining the Avolites family, particularly at a time when there is such a programme of positive change and investment. The product roadmap excites me as I can see where this is all heading and I’m looking forward to being on this re-invigored journey.”

Sales director Ron Carrington add