USA – When Dominic Lopenzo set out to light Grace City Church’s Summer Youth Camp in Lakeland, Florida, he wanted to create some big looks for the event, which is intended exclusively for young people belonging to Grace City Church. Unfortunately, budgetary restraints limited the fixtures he could have in his event rig. Yet, despite this challenge, he was able to create club-like atmosphere in the 300-capacity room by focusing his rig on a single, high output fixture.

“Given the situation I faced, I decided that my best course of action was to build almost all of my design around one fixture,” said Lopenzo, the technical director of Grace City Music and Grace City Church. “I wanted something powerful and versatile so I could fill the room with dynami

USA/Europe - ETC has launched the DP8K Exchange Programme, a new initiative designed to help customers transition to the latest generation of Hog hardware and software.

The programme supports users of the High End Systems DMX Processor 8000 (DP8K), which was discontinued in 2020. While the DP8K remained compatible with earlier versions of Hog OS, it is no longer supported with the release of Hog OS v5.x, making an upgrade essential for continued performance and compatibility.

To make this transition smoother and more cost-effective, ETC is offering a significant discount on the purchase of a new HPU (hybrid processing unit) when replacing an existing DP8K. Programme details, including exchange logistics, may vary by region.

Customers are encouraged to contact their local ETC dealer for full details, eligibility, and support wi

UK - Disguise has announced a major update to its AI-powered workflow assistant for Designer Pro, Ask AId3n. The update enables production teams to sequence repetitive or technical tasks, reducing hours of work at the click of a button. This will streamline the programming of concerts, theatre shows, corporate events, virtual productions and more — saving valuable time and leaving teams with more space for creativity.

Powered by Google's Gemini 2.5 Pro, Ask AId3n enables Designer Pro users to type questions into a chat-based interface, from simple queries like "how do I add blur?" to more complex commands instructing the tool to make direct changes to a project file. For example, if working on concert visuals at a well-known arena, users could instruct Ask AId3n to set up the screen and stage for that particular venue, with details sourced from the AI’s

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Strictly FX, Pushing Boundaries

Strictly FX was founded in 1996 by industry veterans Mark Grega and Ted Maccabee. Our expertise and knowledge of the world’s leading pyrotechnic, laser, and flame manufacturers allows us to curate astonishing live events. With over 500+ shows performed a year, there’s good chance you’ve seen some of our work!

Europe - Leyard Europe has announced the expansion the DirectLight Slim Series line of fine pixel pitch LED video wall displays with the introduction of a new Low Power model. Made in Europe, and delivering 500 nits of brightness while consuming just 68 watts of power, the new model is optimised for energy-conscious customers and environments with low ambient light conditions.

Launched in February 2025, DirectLight Slim Series LED displays feature an ultra-slim, narrow-profile form factor that accommodates curved and space-constrained applications that benefit from its unique design. Its reduced width also minimises colour shift at wide viewing angles, enhancing image uniformity in curved video wall designs.

With a possible mounted depth of less than 35 mm, it is ideal for applications including control rooms, broadcast studios, virtual production st

Europe - The World of Hans Zimmer - An immersive Symphony: The Theatre Experience is an orchestrated concert series, that opened in the Oberhausen Metronom Theatre and touring Europe in Spring 2026. Featuring many soloists from Hans Zimmer’s team, the requirement for individual monitor mixes was high, so monitor engineer Thorben Stroehlein turned to DMI-KLANG to deliver all the immersive mixes required.

“We started planning in December and going straight into rehearsals was intense,” Stroehlein explains. “Creating a show from scratch meant we had a lot to cover. We knew the orchestra would be large, with many soloists, and KLANG was our only option. Choosing DMI-KLANG reduced the channel count, but the effortlessly customisable console integration made it worthwhile.”

The show connects audiences with Hans Zimmer’s music in an int

UK - Aside from the large quantity of GLP’s JDC2 IP and impression X5 Bars deployed on the Pyramid stage for Friday night Glastonbury headliners the 1975, it was another headline performance – Charli XCX’s appearance on the Other stage – that became another of the most talked-about sets of the festival. Here the stage was bedecked with 168 JDC Burst 1 strobe/wash hybrids.

Since last November, her lighting has been supplied by Liteup, which has now added 90 of its 100 newly acquired GLP JDC Burst 1s to her touring rig. These accompanied her to Glastonbury, where they complemented a further 78 JDC Bursts on the over-stage rig, the wings and delay tower – part of the generic house rig provided by Siyan. This gave the artist’s creative director, Imogene Strauss, and LD, Jonny Kingsbury (Cour Design), the tools needed to deliver a dynamic and ever-cha

Canada - Canada’s first Hard Rock Hotel & Casino has officially opened its doors - and from the moment guests step out of their cars, the sound system is already setting the stage.

On the exterior of the building, guests are welcomed by a full setup of 1 Sound’s Cannon C6 marine speakers that are colour-matched to the exterior. With custom-painted C-Clamps for mounting and outdoor-rated hardware (including SS316 marine-grade materials and sealed cable glands), these speakers are built to perform in the elements. 25 of them are installed to create a consistent, high-energy introduction before visitors even reach the doors.

Inside, the Council Oak Stage was designed to host small bands, duelling pianos, and other live acts. To give the venue flexibility and preserve the upscale restaurant feel on quieter nights, the team installed 1 Sound’s L

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ETC Halcyon Silent

High End Systems Halcyon Silent builds on ETC’s legacy of fanless automated fixtures by incorporating features from the highly sought-after Halcyon family. Halcyon Silent perfectly balances silent operation with brilliant output of 18,400 lumens and high-impact features. 

For more information visit us at www.etcconnect.com

USA - Jennifer Lucas and her team at Star Design Lighting were asked recently to light a gala for Saint Mary’s Medical Centre, Huntington, WV. This was no ordinary fundraiser either, but a highly imaginative event, built around a Cosmic Odyssey theme in the 7,500-seat Marshall Health Network Arena.

“I knew this was going to be a fun challenge as soon as we were given the project,” says Lucas. “Putting my team and me in an arena with over a hundred moving lights to do a ‘space’ theme sounded like a good time! Of course, that fun was after a few meetings and a whole lot of logistics being worked out. I speak for everyone on my team when I say we loved using a wide colour palette, pitting bright vibrant colours against a dark cosmic sky, and having sweeping beams of light traverse the room - perhaps from visitors from another galaxy!”

USA - Follow-Me’s 3D system is playing a key role in the spectacular lighting automation of country music superstar Kane Brown's High Road Tour. The production is currently captivating audiences across major US venues, from Pechanga Arena in San Diego to Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, running through 10 October.

The tour features an innovative all-moving lighting rig with Follow-Me 3D serving as part of the show's sophisticated automation ecosystem. Christie Lites provides vendor support, with Follow-Me programmer Evan Rodecap and production/lighting designer Chase Hall leading the technical implementation.

Hall set out to revolutionise country music production values with an ambitious vision. "I was bound and determined to make a country show look progressive and cool," he explains. "So I intentionally abandoned the typical country trope

UK - In the vibrant Quarry Hill campus of Leeds City College, an ambitious educational and technological project is shaping the future of the performing arts: the Chroma-Q Theatre. This versatile, 200-seat venue not only serves as a modern performance space, but also stands out as a dynamic training laboratory for young industry professionals.

Within this fast-paced and continually evolving context, the Astro 250 LED followspots by Luci Della Ribalta (LDR) have found a place, becoming an essential part of the theatre’s educational and production experience.

“The Chroma-Q Theatre was inaugurated in 2020 within Leeds City College. The venue doesn’t have a fixed stage, which allows for great flexibility in staging, and it’s used not only by students but also by prominent organisations like Leeds Playhouse and Leeds College of Music,” explains

Germany - CGS Dry Hire is expanding its portfolio with the addition of the new Elation Paragon S. The compact, weatherproof LED profile moving head is part of the multi-award-winning Paragon series and offers high light output, variable CRI settings, and an innovative interchangeable lens system – making it a good fit for the professional dry hire segment. Elation products in Germany are distributed through its longtime partner, LMP Lichttechnik Vertriebs GmbH.

“The Paragon S combines compact design, outdoor capability, and exceptional flexibility," explains Josef Reichenstetter, department manager at CGS Dry Hire. “Thanks to the interchangeable lenses, we can cover various requirements with one unit – saving investment costs and storage space.”

The Paragon series is available in three high-performance models - S, M, and LT - designed for v

Europe - Sennheiser has announced its new, free online tool for simple configuration of its wireless microphone solutions. Named Wireless Planner, the tool offers customers switching to a new SpeechLine Digital Wireless or EW-DX microphone system a quick and easy way to decide on the right Sennheiser solution, and how best to configure it when designing for education, corporate or live environments.

Wireless Planner is designed to help customers facing tight timelines quickly complete a Sennheiser wireless microphone setup, making it ideal for time-sensitive projects. The intuitive step-by-step, web-based interface allows users to select channel count, receivers, transmitters, batteries, chargers, antennas and more to meet their specific project requirements.

“Building off the success of our Sennheiser Room Planner, our new Wireless Planner aims to

UK - On 10 July, the industry came together at The Backup Fabulous Village Fete at Daytona Sandown Park in Esher, Surrey, to raise much-needed funds for supporting those working in the live events industry when they need it most.

This year's event, which welcomed over 350 event professionals from more than 40 different companies, raised just over £51,000 for Backup Tech, bringing the total raised for the charity over the years to nearly half a million pounds. The Backup Fabulous Village Fete, renamed this year in memory of Adam Taylor (AKA Adam Fabulous), an esteemed member of the events industry and well-renowned DJ who was a long-time supporter of the Backup Village Fete, continued the tradition of being ‘the industry's best day out’.

The event delivered an exhilarating mix of competition and celebration, headlined by the leg

USA - Clearwing, a recognised provider of production services and systems integration in the United States, has joined Clair Global.

Founded in 1976, Clearwing has earned its reputation by delivering high-impact audio, lighting, video, and rigging solutions for live events and permanent installations. With locations in Milwaukee, WI and Phoenix, AZ, the company takes a solutions-driven approach and is backed by a team known for its professionalism, creativity, and consistent results.

Clearwing is currently providing lighting for Gracie Abrams' The Secret of Us tour and recently delivered audio for the electronic music duo, ODESZA. In addition to touring support, music festivals like Boston Calling, Summerfest, and Innings have relied on Clearwing for audio and lighting services. The team also contributed to high-pr

Saudi Arabia - Anchored on the new Jeddah Waterfront along the shores of the Red Sea, Shangri-La Jeddah ‘sets a new standard for luxury in the city’. Floor-to-ceiling windows throughout the hotel invite the outdoors in, and the stylish interiors reflect the endless blue of the sea and sandy beaches right outside. To support the guest experience with the latest technology, the hotel turned to HAV to bring their vision to life. HAV was approached directly by the hotel owner to meet the required standards.

Shangri-La Jeddah worked closely with HAV, the exclusive distributor of Harman Professional Solutions in Saudi Arabia, to outfit the hotel with a comprehensive audio solution consisting of JBL Professional speakers, Crown amplifiers, Soundcraft mixing consoles, and BSS signal processors and network devices. The project involved fitting the audio solution

UK - Having first opened in 2003, Thornden Hall Arts Centre provides support for the Performing Arts Departments in Thornden School, as well as playing host to local amateur groups and professional companies. This multi-purpose venue has a capacity of 386 and its versatility means it can be readily adapted for music, dance, drama, conferences, presentations and cinema. In addition, there are specialist music, drama and dance studios, as well as a foyer and licensed bar.

In recent years, the venue decided to upgrade the traditional tungsten fixtures within its main performance space to LED technology – a process that has been supported by Solutions On Stage. As such, the company was called upon to alter the Hall’s existing dimming system to become an LED lighting infrastructure – drawing on a hot power solution. 

The Manager of Thornden Hall Ar

UK - WaveCo Productions once again relied on Dynacord TGX series amplifiers to drive the TW AUDiO sound system for Glastonbury’s Avalon Stage. This was backed up by Sonicue Sound System Software which provided a flexible and user-friendly solution to design, monitor and control the sound system as required.

WaveCo has been supplying the sound and lighting systems to the Avalon Stage for the last four years, using the combination of Dynacord amplifiers and TW AUDiO loudspeakers for the last two editions. For the 2025 setup, WaveCo selected VERA36 vertical array speakers for the main hangs and delays with low-frequency support from VERA S33 subwoofers. The production company relied on T24N cabinets with BSX subs to serve as fills. Power for the system saw around 20 Dynacord amplifiers called into action with TGX20 amplifiers used to cover the bass, with TGX1

South Africa - Johannesburg-based rental production and technical specialist AV Unlimited has added 12 x Robe LEDBeam 350s to the lighting inventory that join its existing stock of Robe fixtures.

Founded as a video company in 1991, AV Unlimited delivers production, imaginative designs, and innovative equipment solutions – video, lighting, sound – for a broad base of corporate, business, and industrial events as well as some television productions, throughout South Africa and in many other African countries.

AV Unlimited’s operations director, Guillaume Ducray, explained that the first Robe lights in the company after the lighting division started were LEDWash 600s, which are still used on 99% of their shows. Their Pointes and LEDBeam 100s are also out constantly.

When making purchasing decisions, Guillaume relies on feedback from their

UK - The East London Mosque and London Muslim Centre is one of the most active Islamic institutions in Britain, offering a wide range of services including daily prayers and pastoral care, as well as working in partnership with local agencies to contribute towards improvements in education, health provision, environment and community cohesion.

As well as its main prayer halls, the complex includes halls and rooms used for conferences, seminars, weddings, and banquets. During busy times such as Ramadan, the Mosque’s congregation can rise above 5,000 on any given day, prompting its authorities to introduce technological support to ensure maximum participation.

The Centre wished to be able to broadcast content from the main prayer hall to screens placed throughout the centre, as well as live-streaming to those unable to attend in person. Head of tech

UK - The Mountbatten Festival of Music utilised two DiGiCo Quantum 7 consoles, supplied by Terry Tew Sound & Light. Over two days, Zen Broadcast not only captured the event for live streaming, a DVD and album release mixed in their Outside Broadcast (OB) truck by sound supervisor Andy Deacon, they also delivered immaculate sound in the hall, mixed by Ben Milton, with precision monitor mixes handled by Bill Birks. The engineers used two DiGiCo Quantum 7s in the house and a DiGiCo SD7B in the truck to deliver crystal-clear sound to audiences, across a variety of platforms.

A military gala event held in London’s Royal Albert Hall, the Mountbatten Festival of Music raises funds for Royal Navy and Royal Marines charities. The first Mountbatten Festival of Music was held in 1973, as part of the Royal Academy of Music’s 150th anniversary appeal and has been

UK - As UK City of Culture 2025, Bradford is playing host to an extensive programme of events in the arts and entertainment field. With a rich and diverse cultural heritage as the backdrop to a year of celebration, Bradford 2025 has invested in a number of innovative creative spaces to provide opportunities for people to engage with cultural events.

One of the most exciting and versatile of these is The Beacon, a custom-made mobile venue, which is being constructed, dismantled and moved between four different city locations - Wibsey Park, Bowling Park, Cliffe Castle Park, and Lister Park. A packed programme of events at each site includes weekday shows and weekend festivals, featuring music, comedy, clubs, classes, family activities and more.

Following a tendering process, Bradford 2025 engaged locally based Pro Audio Systems (PAS) to supply and inst

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