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01 April 2025

USA - Mid South Audio, an event production and integration solutions company based in Milton, Delaware, has made a significant addition to its lighting inventory with the acquisition of Elation's new Paragon LED profile moving head. Mid South has also added Elation’s versatile Pulse Panel effect light to its equipment line-up, further enhancing its ability to deliver lighting solutions for a wide range of events.

Founded by Kevin Short in 1989, Mid South Audio has developed a strong reputation for delivering innovative solutions to the production and integration market, with its lighting division continuing to expand through investments in new technology. “There is a wide range of applications for both the Paragon and Pulse Panel, so you will be seeing them on many of our projects going forward,” Short commented. “They are valuable a

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01 April 2025

Misleading - Ticketmaster "may have misled Oasis fans" with unclear pricing when it put their reunion tour on sale last year, the UK's competition watchdog has said. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said the company may have breached consumer protection law by selling ‘platinum’ tickets for almost 2.5 times the standard price, without explaining they came with no additional benefits.

"This risked giving consumers the misleading impression that platinum tickets were better," it said in an update to its investigation into Ticketmaster. The CMA has instructed Ticketmaster to change the way it labels tickets and reveals prices to fans in the future. Ticketmaster said it "welcomed" the advice. "At Ticketmaster, we strive to provide the best ticketing platform through a simple, transparent and consumer-friendly experience," a spokesperson told the B

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31 March 2025

USA/Europe - Meyer Sound has confirmed strategic organisational changes aimed at ‘better aligning the company’s strengths, capitalising on its monumental growth, and reinforcing its leadership structure’. Following a record-setting year in 2024 and 30% growth since pre-pandemic levels, the company says it is positioned to optimise its global operations and accelerate innovation.

In a broadened role, Meyer Sound senior vice-president John McMahon will now oversee R&D and operations in addition to sales and marketing, while key Meyer Sound regional leaders will assume expanded responsibilities. This strategic reorganisation aims to promote cross-functional collaboration and streamline processes from product conception to manufacturing and distribution, as well as reinforce global customer support as Meyer Sound continues to expand its ecosystems.

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28 March 2025

UK - The Backup Parish Council has announced that tickets for The Fabulous Village Fete, renamed for this year in celebration of Adam Taylor, aka Adam Fabulous, DJ and long-time supporter of the event, are about to go on sale.

Backup partners get access exclusive first access to purchase hospitality packages and tickets from 9am on 1 April, with access for general sale starting on 9am on 3 April.

The Fabulous Village Fete takes place on Thursday 10 July at Daytona Sandown Park, Esher, Surrey. Affectionately known as ‘the industry’s best day out’, this is the industry’s hottest event tickets of the year!

“Epson are once again sponsoring the Manor House, for those wanting a more exclusive experience, there’s the ever-popular Bake Off, Veg Off, and we’re adding a DJ Off where budding ind

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28 March 2025

USA - WSDG has announced the foundation of the Nancy Flannery Memorial Scholarship. The scholarship – named for the long-serving partner/CFO of the firm who passed away in 2023 – is offered through the AES Educational Foundation and was created to provide opportunities to women pursuing graduate-level studies in architectural acoustics.

The scholarship is available solely to AES-member students. The AES Educational Foundation is currently accepting applications through May 15. For more information, visit: https://www.aeseducationalfoundation.org/scholarships

“Nancy was the lynchpin of WSDG for many years – an incredible organiser and powerful spirit who saw us transform from a small, local operation into the global force for architectur

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27 March 2025

China - Lightware has announced the opening of its new Experience Centre in Hong Kong. This new facility reinforces Lightware’s commitment to supporting AV professionals in the Greater China region by providing an interactive environment to explore, test, and collaborate on cutting-edge AV solutions.

The Hong Kong Experience Centre is designed to serve as a hub for partners, customers, and consultants, offering hands-on demonstrations, real-world application setups, and advanced training opportunities. During the grand opening, Sam Ng, regional director for the Greater China Office, emphasised the centre’s significance in driving industry collaboration: “With dedicated facilities and expert support, the showroom helps organisations maximise their use of Lightware’s technologies while fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange on industry innovati

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27 March 2025

Luxembourg - Amplitude is a Cruchten, Luxembourg-based full service and production rental company working extensively across cultural events and show, music and corporate/industrial events.

It started investing in Robe moving lights over a decade ago and the most recent purchases have reflected a steady and ongoing commitment to the brand, with T1 Profiles, LEDBeam 350s and Spikies joining the fleet, and Amplitude has just confirmed the purchase of 12 Fortes, which will boost the creative options for lighting their larger shows.

Owner Jaakes Hoffmann took over running Amplitude 12 years ago. The company dates back to 1999, when it was well known for adding flair and imagination to a range of disco and dance together with venue installations. Once at the helm, Hoffmann saw a great opportunity to grow business in the arts and culture live event and mus

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27 March 2025

South Africa - For Namibian-based technical supply company, dB Audio, the past two decades have been all about training, growth, and getting even better at what they do.

Over the years, dB Audio has sent over 15 teams to DWR Distribution in South Africa for International Rigging and Basic Rigging courses, the most recent training having taken place earlier this year and presented by Ruud de Deugd of T&E Support. This is over and above attending workshops like Absen Certified Engineer training, roadshows, and open days that keep their crew sharp and ready to tackle anything.

Founded in 2004 by David Benade and Manu Jacobs, the company has always been about staying ahead of the game. “I can still remember the old days in 2004 like it was yesterday,” says Manu. “Back then I was excited, it was all about analogue gear, and suddenly there was di

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26 March 2025

USA - PPDS, global provider of Philips Professional Displays and complementary solutions, has announced its debut attendance at Seatrade Cruise Global 2025 (Miami, 7-10 April) – the world’s largest cruise ship exhibition – signalling the company’s latest business expansion.

Located inside the 500,000sq.ft Miami Beach Convention Centre in Florida, Seatrade Cruise Global – celebrating its 40th anniversary – brings together the global cruise community, allowing industry leaders to discover the cutting-edge strategies and technologies designed to advance the cruise industry.

The global team from PPDS, showcasing on Philips booth 4405, will join over 600 other exhibitors and an anticipated 11,000 visitors from around the world to demonstrate a range of display solutions spanning every area for cruise ships and luxury/super ya

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25 March 2025

Europe - Fresh for 2025, Showlight is introducing a new attraction - an enticing programme of informative, interactive Workshops guaranteed to get the creative juices flowing! These will take place on the afternoon of Wednesday 21 May 2025 and will be open to all delegates on a first come, first served basis, with a strong emphasis on student attendance.

The Workshops will be conducted by leading experts in their field and offer unprecedented insights into subjects from the latest technology to personal development. Numbers are limited so delegates will be encouraged to sign up for their choice of workshop via the Whova App when it goes live closer to the date.

Here’s the lowdown on Showlight’s inaugural Workshop presentations:

Workshop 1: Colour and Light

Led by lighting designer, author, and co-founder of Studio School of Design

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25 March 2025

Turkey - Renkus-Heinz has strengthened its presence across Europe and MENA with the appointment of Asimetrikas its exclusive distributor in Turkey.

With more than 4,000 successful projects in its portfolio, Asimetrik is an experienced distributor and integrator in the region. Made up of over 70 professionals, the team provides distribution and integration solutions for all its customers, utilising engineers from different disciplines to produce future-proof and sustainable solutions and bring flawless audio to all its projects. With headquarters in Istanbul and three regional offices, they offer support across the country.

Asimetrik vice-president, Gorkem Celikbilek, is delighted to welcome Renkus-Heinz to the fold. “This is a great match in terms of a non-compromising attitude to technical design, fast service and a competitive approach to the in

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25 March 2025

South Africa - Spottune, a Danish specialist in wireless audio solutions, has appointed StageOne as its official distributor in South Africa.

Spottune’s OmniExperience technology delivers 360-degree sound coverage, ensuring consistent volume levels across an entire space and eliminating dead zones common with traditional speakers.

Mads-Emil Poulsen, CEO of Spottune, comments: "Finding the right distribution partner is essential for delivering the best experience to our customers. StageOne has a deep understanding of the professional audio market and a strong network in South Africa, making them the ideal partner for Spottune. With their expertise, we are confident that businesses across South Africa will benefit from our wireless audio technology, improving both customer experience and operational efficiency."

Peter Berry, managing owner at

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25 March 2025

USA - To keep up with the ever-growing list of tours hitting the road this year, Bandit Lites has invested in expanding its touring inventory with a significant purchase of Claypaky lighting fixtures.

Working with Inner Circle Distribution (ICD), Claypaky’s exclusive US distributor and service network partners, this expansion ensures Bandit clients have the latest technology and gear to support multiple large-scale tours simultaneously.

One substantial purchase has been even more Claypaky Midi-B FX. Bandit first provided Midi-B FX on John Adamo’s design for Gary Clark Jr., a choice that garnered acclaim from fans and lighting enthusiasts alike. Demand for the fixtures quickly spiked and Bandit purchased another fleet. Creed sold out venues across the US with designer Mathias Kuhn also using the popular Midi-B FX. The next round can be spotted on

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25 March 2025

Italy - Show Technologies, a provider of audio, video, and lighting solutions for the entertainment industry, has expanded its equipment roster with the acquisition of an Outline GTO C-12 line-array system. Based in Recco (Genoa) and boasting over two decades of experience, the company continues to strengthen its position in the live event sector.

A long-time Outline user, Show Technologies has successfully deployed Mantas in a variety of applications, alongside point-source loudspeakers from the Monaco and Vegas series. The increasing demand for high-performance audio solutions and the need to expand its service offerings drove the company to invest in the GTO C-12 system [2x12”, 4x6.5”, 2x3” with patented D.P.R.W.G. waveguide] and GTO-SUB [2x18” flyable]. Recognized as a benchmark in performance, the system is trusted by top-tier rental firms world

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25 March 2025

Germany - On 19 and 20 March 2025, LEaT X 25 turned the Ofenwerk Nuremberg into a central meeting place for the event technology industry. With over 1,000 participants, over 100 brands and a mix of networking and inspiration, the event was a complete success, say the organisers.

“The response to LEaT X 25 was overwhelming. The combination of an exclusive setting, a targeted trade audience and first-class exhibitors struck a chord with the industry,” says John Weltersbach, head of event operations at LEaT and new to the team since the beginning of the year.

The 38 exhibitors at LEaT X 25 offered visitors an opportunity to exchange ideas directly with leading industry representatives, establish new business relationships and discuss current market developments. The informal atmosphere of the LEaT X formats makes it possible to establish valuable co

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25 March 2025

Copyright Matters - Heads of high-profile arts organisations, including the Royal Shakespeare Company and English National Opera, have written to demand greater protection on copyright for creatives. Tamara Harvey, Daniel Evans and Andrew Leveson of the RSC, as well as ENO’s Jenny Mollica and the Royal Ballet and Opera’s Alex Beard have all signed a letter expressing concern over the effect the government’s plans to "diminish creative copyright" could have on "a fragile ecosystem" for artists.

The leaders, who also include in their ranks regional venue leaders such as Bristol Old Vic chief executive Charlotte Geeves, Tiata Fahodzi boss Chinonyerem Odimba and the Donmar Warehouse’s Henny Finch, all oppose an envisaged exemption to copyright law for AI companies looking to train their technology.

The government’s eagerness to unleash the pote

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21 March 2025

UK - Continuing to expand its brand portfolio, Prolight Concepts (UK) has partnered up with Netgear in the UK to bring Netgear AV to its customer base.

With a market presence of almost 30 years, Netgear is a global leader in innovative networking technologies. Netgear's Pro AV solutions are engineered specifically for #AVoIP with out-of-the-box support for every networked AV solution. Their fully managed switches have a revolutionary AV GUI simplifying configuration, whilst options such as ports on the rear or front along with PoE, multi-gig, and SFP options allow for flexible mounting.

“This collaboration once again solidifies our position in the market, ensuring we have a full and complete product offering for our customers,” says Prolight. Stock of Netgear products will be arriving early April.

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21 March 2025

UK - Built on 13 years of audio research and four years of video data, the 2025 edition of the RH Consulting (RHC) report provides a detailed analysis of the adoption of audio and video networking protocols into manufacturer products. Compiled by leading audio consultants and engineers at RHC and considered a benchmark document by industry professionals, the report contains an analysis of 6,942 networked AV products across 676 brands.

“One of the headline findings from this year’s report is that we can now consider audio networking adoption for professional audio products to be complete,” confirms Roland Hemming, audio consultant at RHC. “There is a massive choice of networked audio products available in all categories, and in our opinion, the next increase we can expect to see in coming years is the adoption of the technology in sectors suc

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21 March 2025

Estonia - Void Acoustics has announced its new partnership with RGB Baltic as its distributor for Estonia. This partnership marks a significant step in Void’s continued global expansion and will strengthen its presence in The Baltic States.

Based in Tallinn, RGB Baltic has established itself as a premier AV solutions provider. With over 20 years of industry experience and a team of more than 50 AV professionals, the company has delivered audio-visual installations across a range of sectors, including high-end corporate environments and entertainment venues. Notable projects include turnkey AV solutions for Bentley car dealerships and complete production of the Estonian Final for Eurovision entry.

The partnership between Void Acoustics and the Estonian-based distributor began during ISE 2024 in Barcelona. Impressed by the products Void Acoustics unv

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21 March 2025

UK - IPS (Impact Production Services) has announced the addition of the Martin MAC Viper XIP to its lighting rental stock. In response to strong customer demand, this latest addition to the Martin lineup introduces an LED source, IP-rated version of the classic Viper fixture family, enhancing all the best attributes of previous models.

Included as part of IPS’s Technical Production and Dry Hire service, the addition of the MAC Viper XIP expands IPS’s inventory, providing event professionals with access to advanced lighting technology suitable for a variety of applications.

IPS head of lighting, Davis Cmoch, highlighted the technical capabilities of the new fixture stating: “The new Viper XIP boasts Framing Shutters as standard, a key feature that previously set the Performance fixture apart from the Profile version. Additionally, its impressive

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20 March 2025

South Africa - StageOne has announced its appointment as the official South African distributor for DJ Power stage effects equipment. The distribution deal was finalised during ISE 2025 in Barcelona this past February.

DJ Power is known for its stage effects, including fog machines, flame effects, and confetti solutions, all backed by innovative technology and over 200 international patents. Adding DJ Power to StageOne’s portfolio enhances the company’s ability to offer comprehensive and affordable solutions for live events, concerts, and installations across South Africa.

Peter Berry, managing owner of StageOne, comments: "DJ Power's reputation for reliability and innovation is impressive, and their product range fills a gap in the market for high-quality yet affordable stage effects. We’re thrilled to bring these solutions to South Africa and

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20 March 2025

South Africa - Norwood Productions has recently bolstered its audio capabilities with the acquisition of premium d&b audiotechnik equipment from distributor Stage Audio Works.

This recent investment has expanded the scope of Norwood Productions' involvement in the live events sector, allowing them to serve larger audiences and meet the high international standards of touring artists. Behind these recent investments is an inspirational journey and a story of growth and adaptability, backed by a strong ongoing relationship with Stage Audio Works.

“I started Norwood Productions in 2018 out of my garage with just a small PA system of two tops and two subs. Back then, I was catering largely for corporate events,” recalls Chris Norwood, founder and director at Norwood Productions. “We steadily built the business, adding in some visual elements su

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20 March 2025

USA - L-Acoustics has announced that it has been named for the third time in Fast Company's annual list of the World's Most Innovative Companies of 2025, reaching #2 on the list of top innovative companies in the events, concerts, and live experiences industry, recognised specifically “for changing the way Broadway shows sound.”

The 2025 list celebrates companies that consistently drive innovation and shape the future of their industries – a principle that has guided L-Acoustics since its founding, from pioneering line array technology to today's cutting-edge immersive sound solutions.

"Being recognised by Fast Company as a top innovator for the third time in six years is both an extraordinary honour and a testament to the ongoing commitment to innovation at L-Acoustics," says Laurent Vaissié, CEO at L-Acoustics. "This recogn

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20 March 2025

Japan - Operating in Southeast Asia, and with a presence in Malaysia and the Philippines, Symunity Group encompasses brands such as ARK Ventures, Takenaka, and, most recently, SolidWater. As a partner of Brompton Technology and a key strategic partner of ROE Visual, Symunity Group’s projects span multiple sectors, including virtual production, broadcast, corporate, and live entertainment.

An ambitious growth trajectory, including moving its Takenaka Nagoya sales office to Nakamura Ward, Kamejima due to business expansion, and establishing SolidWater in Manila, Philippines, means it is more important than ever for the Group to maintain a high level of service across all brands. In line with this, Brompton Technology’s Tessera LED processors are the preferred solution for its rental, system design and integration needs.

“With our roots dating bac