Record Sales - Tickets for next year's Glastonbury Festival have sold out in record time, according to organisers. Michael and Emily Eavis issued a joint statement confirming all 120,000 remaining tickets had been sold in just one hour and 27 minutes. They said they were "blown away" by the numbers logging on and were "genuinely sorry" that so many had missed out. Ticketing website See Tickets had earlier apologised to customers on Twitter for "technical difficulties". The site, which had been managing the sale of tickets for Glastonbury, wrote that the issues had led to "a very difficult half an hour" before the site stabilised, later adding that it was selling 3,000 tickets a minute.

Prices for the 2014 event had been increased by £10 to £210, plus a booking fee, but festival-goers could pay a deposit of £50 before sett

The first ever Technical Theatre Awards (TTA) - celebrating the best of 'behind the scenes' skill and talent - were presented at a well-attended ceremony at the PLASA Show at London's ExCel.

Fifteen awards were announced on the Theatres Trust stand in the midst of the PLASA hubbub.

Sponsored by AVW Controls, dbs Solutions, Load Cell Rental, Mayflower, Philips Entertainment, PLASA, Production Resource Group (PRG), StageBitz, Stage Jobs Pro, The Fifth Estate Ltd and Triple E, the TTAs are also very kindly supported by Lighting and Sound International and The Theatres Trust.

Host for the evening was prolific multi award-winning lighting designer Rick Fisher, perhaps best known for his work on Billy Elliot the Musical and An Inspector Calls. Recent credits include Great Expectations at Bristol's Old Vic, The Herd at The Bush Theatre, and Inside Wagner's Head at the Linbury Studio Royal

UK - In response to widespread interest in Focusrite's RedNet Dante-based Ethernet audio networking system, and in the wake of a year which has seen sales of the brand expand by over 60%, Focusrite Audio Engineering Limited - the leading studio-quality audio conversion and distribution systems manufacturer based in High Wycombe, UK - has announced the appointment of Mark Davidson to the position of Business Manager for RedNet.

Davidson joins the company with a strong background in both professional audio and data networking sales and marketing, including extensive direct experience with Ethernet-based audio networking systems. "I knew about Focusrite from its interfaces and heritage," says Mark, "and when I heard about the position I knew it was perfect for me, with my background in pro-audio networking."

He goes on, "Audio networking is emerging as a

UK - Organisers of Manchester's unsigned music festival Raw Fest presented cheques worth over £3,000 to two industry charities at a star-studded ceremony on 26 September at Band on the Wall.

Production suppliers and training centre Backstage Academy supported the festival at Jackson's Boat in Manchester on 15 June to raise money for charities that help disadvantaged and underprivileged groups launch careers in music and backstage production.

The second annual outdoor event grew threefold to welcome almost 1,000 people to the historic inn on the banks of the River Mersey in Sale this year, with Mr Scruff as the guest headliner supporting a line-up of 20 up and coming acts. The event supports unsigned artists and gives them a platform to perform in a professional festival environment.

LS-Live supplied its Mini Stage for the main performances and STS Touring, HSL, Euro Ge

Tourist Boom - Tourists going to concerts and festivals are boosting the UK economy by as much as £2.2 billion a year. Music tourism is also said to provide 24,000 jobs each year, a report by Visit Britain and UK Music shows. Spending by people from the UK and abroad was worth £1.3 billion last year. That includes buying tickets and paying for transport and accommodation plus other indirect spending, which adds another £914m.

Visit Britain says nearly half of the average live music audience is made up of tourists, with visitors from abroad spending an average of £910 while attending festivals and £602 going to concerts. Domestic music tourists spent, on average, £396 while attending festivals and £87 going to concerts.

The report also says that overseas tourists account for 6% of music tourism visits and 20% of music tourism spending.

UK - PLASA London 2013 proved a great success with exhibitors and visitors alike at its new home at ExCeL London. Over 11,000 visitors (subject to ABC audit) attended the show, of whom over 3,000 attended on multiple days. International interest was high, with more than 2,200 visitors from 84 countries. Stand rebookings for next year's show are also up on last year, and several major companies that did not make the move to ExCeL - including Philips Entertainment - have either already signed up for 2014 or are in serious talks to return.

Chris Toulmin, head of events, PLASA London 2013, said, "The response we've received to PLASA London 2013 has been overwhelmingly positive, both from visitors and exhibitors. They have embraced the new venue and also enjoyed the new features such as the AudioLab Arena, Theatre and Interactive. The PLASA team has worked very hard to get to th

UK - Stage One, the company that realised Thomas Hetherwick's spectacular cauldron for the London 2012 Olympics, has announced three new appointments to its senior management team.

Alan Ellis, Tim Leigh and Andy Smith join the business as Performance Director; Client Services Director; and Head of Projects respectively, at a pivotal moment for the business as CEO, Mark Johnson, explains: "The last two years have been fantastic for Stage One. The London 2012 Olympics firmly established us as world leaders in the design and manufacture of automated control systems for large scale public events.

"We have also developed our use of advanced materials, working on a range of stunning architectural pavilions, most recently completing internal features for Zaha Hadid's extension to London's new Serpentine Sackler Gallery. This included using FRP to manufacture the Zaha Hadid

Royal Visit - The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh are to visit the National Theatre today, as the institution celebrates its 50th birthday. They will be given a backstage tour by outgoing director Sir Nicholas Hytner and watch rehearsals for forthcoming family show Emil and the Detectives. Their visit marks the anniversary of the first performance at the theatre

Peter O'Toole opened the venue on 22 October 1963, playing Hamlet under the eye of founder Sir Laurence Olivier. More than 800 productions have taken place at the venue in the intervening 50 years, including premieres of plays by Tom Stoppard, Peter Shaffer, Harold Pinter, Alan Bennett and David Hare.

During their visit, the Queen and Prince Philip will enjoy a musical number from Guys and Dolls, which was the first musical staged at the National, in 1982. The royal visitors will also visit the props work

UK - Pearce Hire has barely stopped for breath over the busy summer festival season, supplying an impressive array of events for long-standing as well as new customers.

One of those new customers is Loudsound, who contracted Pearce Hire twice over the summer to supply generated power and site lighting on the Field Day Festival in London's Victoria Park, and power distro for the XX's self-curated festival, Night & Day at Hatfield House.

Loudsound is one of the UK's leading independent festival production companies, providing event management across a number of large capacity festivals.

Dan Wilson, site manager for Loudsound at Field Day was impressed by Pearce Hire's detailed tender, competitive pricing and knowledge of how best to manage greenfield festival sites - a particular area of expertise for Pearce Hire.

"We needed to find a new provider for these important se

UK - New regulations set to come into play could mean more training and investment is needed for those involved in the building of event structures, a leading safety body has said.

The advice comes from the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health's (IOSH) Sports Grounds and Events Group, in the light of new Construction Design Management Regulations (CDM), which are set to take effect in October 2014.

Carl Hagemann, chair of the IOSH Sports Grounds and Events Group, said: "Event organisers and those working in safety at events really do need to realise the impact the new CDM regulations could potentially have on their day-to-day jobs.

"Although the regulations coming into play may seem like a lifetime away, there's no time like the present to start preparing."

When applied to the events industry, the new CDM rules could mean change for organisers and a

UK - The First Night Riders charity motorbike and classic car adventure, which raises money to help The Theatrical Guild support backstage and front of house staff, has announced new dates for 2014.

Organisers David and Brenda Edelstein, from track systems specialist Triple E, will be leading next year's event and are inviting riders and classic car enthusiasts to join them from 20-23 June 2014.

Next year will be the fifth time the First Night Riders have toured the UK, setting off from a London location (TBC) and visiting some of the UK's most fascinating theatres and theatre suppliers.

Last year, the intrepid gang embarked from London's iconic Roundhouse and travelled through the Midlands, visiting sites including the Oxford Playhouse, the Buxton Opera House, and Sheffield's Crucible Theatre.

This year's route and stop offs are still in the planning stages but seaside

UK - PLASA secured a significant lobbying success last month when the House of Commons Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee published its report into 'Supporting the Creative Economy'. The Committee roundly endorsed PLASA's position regarding the Olympics 'No Marketing Rights Protocol'.

The report was the culmination of an inquiry which was launched just over a year ago with a call for evidence from the Committee, which is made up of MPs from across all political parties. PLASA made a detailed written submission as to how the creative industries can be better supported, with a particular emphasis on the value and importance of the Entertainment Technology sector. PLASA's evidence focussed on issues around allowing companies to promote their involvement in the Olympics, tax relief for apprenticeships, improving protection for intellectual property and helping SMEs in the sec

UK - VDC Trading Limited has appointed Stefano Pucello as international sales manager. In this new role Stefano will be responsible for the management and development of the International markets for the Van Damme range of professional grade AV cables.

Pucello joins VDC with more than a decade of international sales experience in the wire and cable industry and has most recently lead the sales and marketing department for a well-established British brand within the UK broadcast sector.

Chris D'Aguiar, VDC's commercial director, said, "Stefano brings a wealth of experience to VDC, spanning a range of sectors where we have seen increasing demand for the Van Damme range and VDC's associated technical and manufacturing services. All of this will be put to good use as we continue to serve a growing number of overseas clients and international distribution partners."

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USA - Stampede Presentation Products has announced the appointment of John Marcolini to the position of vice president of product management.

"As we emphasized at our 2013 Vendor Summit, the traditional hardware based AV industry is giving way to a new personalized industry that is built upon the ideas of connecting, integrating, and sharing devices and software apps in entirely new eco-systems," said Stampede president & COO Kevin Kelly. "This shift is challenging our industry to stop using the terms 'audio and video' and start using the terms 'see, hear and control' in order to understand the business opportunities that this shift is creating. John Marcolini has the experience and skill set to drive our growth as this pivotal industry transition continues to accelerate."

Marcolini brings 18 years of telecommunications and software experience to his new po

RSC Record - The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) says its income rose by a quarter in the past year, its highest figure ever. Its income rose to £62.6m in 2012-13 compared to £50.1m a year earlier, while box office receipts increased by about 75% from £18.1m to £31.6m. An RSC spokeswoman said its production of Matilda The Musical, which continues to play to full houses in London, had a "significant impact" on figures. There were 1,459 performances of 25 productions in 2012-13.

Fundraising, which includes money from individuals, companies and charitable foundations, grew by 28% to £4.1m. The company said it now generated 73% of its own income, including through box office cash, trading income from other sources - such as restaurant money - and fundraising. The RSC said the other 27% mainly came from Arts Council England.

Mac Can

Italy - Genelec has announced that MidiWare Srl is its new Italian distributor. From 1 November 2013, Midiware will be responsible for Genelec monitoring product distribution and dealer support in the region, following a mutual parting of the ways with long-term partner, Leading Technology Srl.

MidiWare is based in Rome and has a local sales office and demo space in the Lecco area close to Milan. MidiWare also represents other brands including SSL, REM, Moog, SE, Novation in both the professional and MI segments. Jarmo Masko, international sales manager is delighted that Francesco Borsotti's team are now part of the Genelec family of almost seventy distributors worldwide:

"MidiWare has a dynamic team that is focused on achieving results for their wide network of dealers and business partners. They have excellent reach into the education sector through thirty years of expe

UK - After 25 years in the business, in the year Artistic Licence celebrates its Silver Jubilee, the company is relocating to a new studio space in London's vibrant Kentish Town.

Based in Harrow, Middlesex, for over two decades, the lighting control specialist has previously occupied the sort of light industrial premises suited to a traditional manufacturer. However, Artistic Licence now operates more as a design house, outsourcing the majority of its product assembly needs.

CEO Wayne Howell explains, "Artistic Licence is an agile company, happy to reinvent itself as the market evolves. The decision to outsource manufacture was one such change, but it has left us in a building that is no longer well suited to the way we operate. Our company philosophy is all about ideas and pushing the boundaries of new technology, and the new studio provides just the sort of environment

UK - Trade associations PASMA and SELECT have entered into a new partnership agreement, bringing together their respective members in the work at height and electrical contracting industries.

The agreement between PASMA, the leading trade association for mobile access towers, and Scotland's trade association for the electrical industry, SELECT, will ensure that PASMA training is more accessible to SELECT members.

Delegates who take this route will receive a joint-badged PASMA card with the SELECT logo as a sign of their competence to work at height. With falls from height the leading cause of death in the workplace, it is a legal requirement for workers to prove their competence before carrying out this type of work.

PASMA's managing drector, Peter Bennett, said, "Electrical contractors of course regularly work at height. We are delighted that this agreement will benefi

USA - When the Samuel H. Scripps Mainstage at Theatre for a New Audience's Polonsky Shakespeare Centre opens this week, at 262 Ashland Place, Brooklyn, well-travelled theatre-goers may get a sense of deja vu.

The 299-seat theatre's two galleries, steep orchestra seating rake, and modest capacity create a closeness between the actors and audience that will remind some of a groundbreaking theatre 3,500 miles across the Atlantic. A theatre that through its innovative physical flexibility, intimacy, and dedication to experimentation helped revive the form of the courtyard theatre: The Cottesloe Theatre at the National Theatre in London.

The similarities are not an accident. In the 36 years since it opened, the Cottesloe Theatre has exerted an immeasurable influence over the theatrical world, not only in nurturing legions of actors, directors, writers, and theatre professionals, bu

UK - A new work-friendly part-time option of its Live Sound Technology course will be offered by Britannia Row Productions Training starting in January 2014. With classes taking place on one weekday evening plus one weekend day per week, the course becomes accessible for those who work full-time or have other commitments.

While contents and learning outcomes of the course remain essentially unchanged from the full-time version of the training programme, the curriculum will be delivered in three sections: 1. Live Sound Fundamentals, 2. System Engineering and 3. Mix Engineering. This structure allows for holiday breaks between the sections as another feature to make it feasible for people in full-time employment to take this course. The 13-week sections are delivered over a 47-week period with eight holiday weeks allowing for spring and summer breaks.

This expansion of course op

UK - The AED UK businesses including AED Rent, AED Distribution, AED Store and AED Second-hand are opening their doors on Tuesday 5 November for a Guy Fawkes themed Open Day. From 10.30 am to 6 pm, all visitors are welcome to meet the AED UK Team and have a look around their facility.

AED Distribution which enjoyed a busy inaugural PLASA, will be showing products from all of its partner brands including High End Systems automated luminaires, digital lighting and the HOG4 Family of consoles. Also, other brands such as SRS, Swisson, Prolyte, CM, GLP and MediaLas will be in action with many brands having their own product specialists on-hand for one-to-one demos.

David March, managing director of AED Distribution says, "We really hope that people will drop in for a visit to see first-hand the AED UK Operation and importantly meet the team here along with our colleagues from

Arts Funding - Funding for English museums, galleries and theatres is heavily slanted towards London, a report has said. Central government spending on arts and culture in the capital amounted to £69 per resident in 2012/13, compared with £4.60 per person elsewhere in England.

Arts Council England chair Sir Peter Bazalgette admitted an imbalance existed, adding: "More should be done." He told the the BBC Radio 4 Today programme: "There is an imbalance, there's no question. I've only been at the Arts Council for a few months. I'm absolutely passionate about funding arts and culture in the regions... We need to do more...I would say judge us in two years time. The trend is towards more spending in the regions and that's what we'll be doing."

Net News - The first YouTube awards have been held in New York. The event featured Eminem, La

USA - PLASA's month-long elections to determine positions on its European and North American Regional Boards, together with its central Governing Body, concluded at midnight on Thursday 31 October.

Companies and individuals from PLASA's worldwide membership voted in the elections, which were conducted via a secure online poll.

There were four positions available on the European Regional Board. Filling the officer positions, Adam Blaxill of Stage Electrics was elected Regional Board Vice-Chair and Duncan Bell of Autograph Sound Ltd, was elected Secretary. Lee Dennison of Sound by Design Ltd is the new Professional Services Representative and Matt Lloyd of Global Design Solutions Ltd, has been voted as the Manufacturer Representative.

Four positions were up for election on the North American Regional Board with Eddie Raymond of IATSE Local 16 elected for his second term as Cha

UK - A.C. Entertainment Technologies (AC-ET) have praised the performance of industry-sponsored racing driver, Jack Goff in his debut season of the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship - which ended with a climactic battle for first position and a podium finish in the final race.

After winning the Renault Clio Cup in 2012, Jack moved up a level and signed with Team HARD for the 2013 BTCC season. He achieved great pace over the season, including being second fastest for most of the race day at Silverstone and a 2nd place podium finish in the final round at Brands Hatch.

As a result of his performance, Jack has been invited to be a guest driver for CAST Motorsport in the Lotus Six Hour endurance race on the Indy Circuit at Brands Hatch this Saturday 9 November. He shares his guest drive with Simon Deacon, the current Lotus Cup UK Overall & 211 Champion.

The long distanc

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