Europe - J&C Joel has announced an expansion of its operations in Europe, with the opening of a new office in Romania and establishing J&C Joel Europa. The UK-based company is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of flame retardant fabrics, drapery and stage engineering solutions and exports to over 80 countries worldwide. After implementing channel model of dealers and distributors throughout Europe and Russia, the company is looking to further develop its presence across the continent by making this major investment into its infrastructure. Roland Rizk, J&C Joel’s regional manager for Europe and Russia, comments: “We are very excited to grow the business into Romania and to provide better strategic support for our clients and partners across Europe and Russia. Their efforts and commitment to market and sell our brand have facilitated the e
Italy/USA - Loud Audio, a Transom Capital Group company, has sold Eastern Acoustics Works (EAW) to Italian pro audio specialist RCF Group. The deal is said to be the final divestiture by Transom, which will now see Loud focus on its Mackie brand after also parting ways with Martin Audio in July. Ty Schultz, managing partner at Transom Capital Group, comments: “Simplifying the Loud business to focus on high quality audio delivery from consumers to professionals has always been the focus of our thesis. We are very happy to have found a great new owner for the EAW brand and wish everyone involved much success going forward.” Alex Nelson, Mackie’s president, adds: “While I have truly enjoyed working with all of the brands in the LOUD legacy, now it’s time for us to turn the page and to be entirely focused on building the Mackie brand. Our companies have lon
Voices Off - U2 frontman Bono says he expects to be "back to full voice" for the rest of the band's tour a day after a Berlin show was cancelled over a vocal issue. "I've seen a great doctor," the singer said in a statement, adding that he was "happy and relieved that anything serious has been ruled out". In his statement on Sunday, the singer said his "relief" at being able to return to performing was "tempered by the knowledge that the Berlin audience were so inconvenienced". "There was an amazing atmosphere in the house, it was going to be one of those unforgettable nights but not for this reason. We can't wait to get back there on 13 November," the statement added. It was the second night of the European leg of U2's Experience + Innocence tour, which had kicked off at the same venue on Friday night. Zero Tolerance - Kevin Hart has split opinion
UK - Hawthorn has been newly appointed as the in-house technical production partner at Victoria Warehouse, Manchester’s historic landmark venue. As part of a long-term partnership agreement that started on 1 September 2018, Hawthorn will provide exclusive in-house rigging services and will be the preferred technical production supplier for corporate events across Victoria Warehouse’s diverse event spaces. Renowned for its highly flexible event spaces with an industrial vibe and situated in the heart of Manchester, Victoria Warehouse offers event spaces for a huge range of corporate events, from conferences and exhibitions, to gala dinners, award ceremonies, brand activations and parties. James Cohen, owner of Victoria Warehouse, comments: “I’m delighted to welcome Hawthorn to the team. Victoria Warehouse is a unique, iconic and carefully restored industri
UK - Studioforce, a new company specialising in the provision of production and technical freelancers to the film and TV industry, launched on Monday, 3 September. The London business is spearheaded by former ITV Studios head of scenic and lighting, Dave Stevens. It offers a network of personnel for the broadcast and production sector, including gaffers, lighting electricians, camera operators, scenic supervisors, sound engineers, studio engineers and lighting console operators. Studioforce is also offering a service to facilitate and administer payroll contracts and handle recruitment for any clients who are looking to outsource certain roles, easing the process to make it more time and cost efficient. Stevens comments: “When the recent changes at ITV Studios were announced [the broadcaster is closing its London studios], I needed to look for a new opportunity. I’
Europe - Architectural LED lighting manufacturer Anolis and real-time visual processing technology provider ArKaos have announced a collaboration which will see the two brands team up on several product developments. Anolis’s LED lighting, pixel-based fixtures and other hardware will feature ArKaos’ cloud-based communications protocol An-Ki, which enables remote control of digital content projected on LED mappable surfaces from anywhere in the world. The deal will also involve “a fluid bi-directional commercial relationship” between the two companies, where ArKaos products will be distributed by Anolis, and Anolis fixtures will share sales resources with ArKaos. ArKaos’ MD Agnes Wojewoda comments: “This will add huge value to installation designers working in all fields. It offers the possibility of fully flexible and stable control which will be add
UK - JHS has reopened the HK Audio Demo Theatre at the company's headquarters in Garforth, Leeds. The newly refurbished demo theatre is home to the entire HK Audio range of live sound reinforcement systems. The Demo Theatre is appointed with complete systems, cabling and accessories from the many HK Audio series. Visitors can also benefit from the technical advice of in-house pro audio specialist Chris Walton. (Jim Evans)
UK - Technical production event specialist Saville AV has re-branded its conference and live event division to Sparq and its AV/IT wing, to Visavvi. Both brands will sit under Saville Group, the parent organisation. The move is part of a wider investment strategy to “future-proof the business and ensure it continues to effectively evolve its technical event production service offering for clients in the UK, Europe and the USA”. Sparq offers a full production service, from creative design and staging to technical crew and kit hire. Visavvi delivers all aspects of IT/AV project for business customers - from consultation through to design and install and maintenance and support. Colin Nixey, joint MD of Saville Group, comments: “Saville has been a familiar face in the live events industry for over 40 years. However, we recognised it was time for a change
South Africa - Effective 1 September, Pro Audio has become Audio-Technica’s new consumer and pro audio distributor in South Africa. The company is based on the Linbro Business Park, Frankenwald near Johannesburg and its portfolio also includes Turbosound, TC Electronic, HK Audio and Klark Teknik. Audio-Technica export sales manager Dre Klaassen comments: “We’re delighted to welcome Pro Audio to the Audio-Technica family. We are very confident that it is the right company to build Audio-Technica’s profile in both the pro and consumer markets in South Africa. The company’s wide experience and drive in distribution is unique in the territory and I very much look forward to working with them in the future.” Neil Schofield, Audio-Technica’s export sales manager for consumer products adds: “Pro Audio joins as distribution partner at an exciting time, with man
UAE - Gamma Illumination, UK based designer and manufacture of low energy lighting solutions, has expanded its operations in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) with the opening of its first office in the region and the appointment of Arsalan Bari as vice president. Gamma Illumination has been active in the MENA region for the past five years. This expansion will enable the company to develop closer relationships with its clients and support the rapidly growing business demands in the region. “Gamma has already built a reputation for its fusion of high quality and great value, whilst providing industry leading turnaround times and a trusted service to its customers,” says Bari. “I look forward to working with the team to continue to do this throughout the region.” Cate Hickling, sales director at Gamma Illumination, adds: “These are exciting times
UK - Troxy has joined forces with DICE to become a mobile-only, and “now tout-proof venue”. The move to digital will put fans first by implementing DICE’s mobile-only tickets to stop reselling, as well as selling tickets through the night and allowing refunds up to moments before an event starts. The secondary ticketing market continues to be a nightmare for music fans, and this partnership ensures that touts are locked out of Troxy for good, says the venue. Adam Webb, campaign manager for FanFair Alliance, comments: "DICE have been long-time supporters of the FanFair campaign, and this is another welcome step forward to ensure ticket resale works for fans and not touts. Recent legislative and regulatory changes are helping reshape the market, but some of the most exciting developments will involve adoption of new technology that improve the gig-going expe
Russia - Linea Research has announced the expansion of its worldwide distribution network with an appointment in Russia. “It’s been a busy season at Linea Research”, comments Davey Smalley, director of Linea Research, “and as part of our growth strategy we’ve been adding to our already extensive distribution network with the addition of Hi-Tech Media in Russia.” Founded in Moscow in 2011 Hi-Tech Media has rapidly become one of the leaders in the Russian AV distribution and integration markets. Andrey Kogtev, head of pro audio at Hi-Tech Media comments, “When we started looking for opportunities to expand our brand portfolio with high power multichannel amplification systems Linea Research was already on our radar. Our team members were familiar with the products and their exceptional performance and there was no doubt this is the brand we should be workin
UK - Eaton’s Zero 88 series continues its enthusiastic support for professional lighting, audio and AV distributor Leisuretec’s Introduction to Lighting Basics course, an innovative one-day fly-through of some of the fundamentals of stage, event and venue lighting, devised and presented by their lighting specialist, Andy Friedli. This is the third of four Lighting Basics sessions being run by Leisuretec throughout 2018. Over 30 customers and interested parties attended over these latest three one-day courses, and Leisuretec has now trained over 170 people via this straightforward, hands-on process, with great results. Friedli devised and developed the course - initially for Leisuretec staff - three years ago, having joined the Leighton Buzzard based company five years ago. With a background in theatre and a 25-year career that includes working for
USA - Four documents have been posted for public review on the ESTA website. BSR E1.29 - 2009 (R2014), Product Safety Standard for Theatrical Fog Generators that Create Aerosols of Water, Aqueous Solutions of Glycol or Glycerin, or Aerosols of Highly Refined Alkane Mineral Oil This standard is being considered for reaffirmation. It's intended to help guide product safety testing laboratories in evaluating fog-making equipment for design or construction defects that might create unacceptable hazards. It is based on UL 998 - 2006, Humidifiers, with modifications. Products covered are theatrical fog generators intended for use in professional theatrical entertainment, film and video production, theme parks, and fire safety training. BSR E1.62, Minimum specifications for mass-produced portable platforms, ramps, stairs, and choral risers for live performance
Denmark - Supplier of pro audio amplifier electronics Pascal has unveiled a redesigned website that represents “a major upgrade of the look, functionality and content of its online presence”. A new design aesthetic is allied to enhanced functionality, providing for improved navigation of a greater breadth and depth of content. Much of that content has been revised and repurposed, to provide the company’s roster of leading pro audio industry clients with better tools to match their development projects with Pascal’s expanding range of ultra-compact, high performance amplifier modules. In addition to essential technical references, the website provides extensive background and insights into the origins, growth, and organisational values of a company that, in just over 10 years, has risen to be among the top 0.07% highest performing companies in Denmark, the world
UK - Ofcom has published its long-awaited response to the consultation on the 700MHz compensation scheme, to which the British Entertainment Industry Radio Group (BEIRG) - an independent and non-profit association, working for the benefit of all those who use radio spectrum - has released the following statement: "The original proposals [from Ofcom] fell short, and since submitting our consultation response, BEIRG has been lobbying hard to ensure that PMSE is treated fairly. Our contact with Ofcom, DCMS and Treasury has been frequent and we have a host of new supporters in Parliament. BEIRG has briefed the Labour, Liberal Democrat and SNP Culture spokesmen who have been vocal in their backing for our campaign. BEIRG would l
Missing Out - The number of GCSE students sitting creative subjects this year has slipped by 10% on last year, prompting yet further warnings that young people are missing out on “essential” life skills. GCSE drama uptake has fallen by 5.3% on 2017, according to this year’s final figures, released by the Joint Council for Qualifications on GCSE results day. The 10% decline in entries for creative subjects in England comprises statistics for drama, art and design, design and technology, film and TV studies, music and performing / expressive arts. This is a further 10% on the 9% decline recorded between 2016 and 2017. Those taking performing / expressive arts fell by 45% - from 15,641 to just 8,646. As of 2017, this course is being phased out of the curriculum, which accounts for the dramatic decline, but the numbers are not being made up elsewhere. The drop in cre
USA - LumenRadio has announced an OEM partnership with Hive Lighting, with LA-based Hive set to utilise LumenRadio’s wireless technologies. Hive Lighting provides lighting solutions for the film, photography and broadcast industries as well as science and sports, and also has an architectural fixture line, ArcHIVE. Robert Rutherford, Hive Lighting founder, comments: “LumenRadio is the entertainment industry standard for adding reliable wireless DMX control for production lighting. We chose LumenRadio to allow our fixture to be compatible with all of the control systems in place throughout the film, TV and digital production industry.” Robert Larsson, sales director at LumenRadio, adds: “We are very happy to have Hive Lighting onboard as an OEM partner. Hive is an innovative company with great people and great products and we are delighted they have decid
World - P!NK’s 2018 Beautiful Trauma world tour is set to be her highest ever grossing tour, with over $100m already taken in ticket sales. The singer is bringing her hallmark mixture of exotic staging and aerial acrobatics combines with quality vocal reproduction – courtesy of a Sennheiser Digital 6000 system – to venues around the world. Sennheiser has a long association with P!NK through her RF coordinator and monitor engineer for the band, Horst Hartmann. For her 2013 The Truth About Love Tour, he specified an integrated in-ear monitor and microphone system to help facilitate her technically and physically challenging show. For the current tour, the microphone system has been updated with Sennheiser’s latest technology, including its Digital 6000 system, both handheld and bodypack, an improved custom mic/in-ear combo, and wireless monitoring v
Japan - Martin Audio Japan has been featuring the MLA loudspeaker array at Rock in Japan for eight years, and it has now become an essential item on the four principal stages. For the 19th edition of the festival, which took place in Hitachinaka Seaside Park over two consecutive weekends in August, MLA was again seen on the largest Grass Stage, the second Lake Stage, Park Stage, and Sound of Forest. From new, cutting edge performers to veterans, more than 200 artists appeared on these stages over the four days, enhancing the Japanese music scene, with tickets once again sold out in a matter of minutes. “It was back in 2011 when we first introduced MLA on the Lake Stage,” reports Shuzo Fujii, president of MSI Japan. “This is now the eighth year that the system has been adopted, and its high degree of control has become essential for the festival.
Australia - Out Board has announced tm stagetec systems as exclusive Australian distributor and support specialist for its immersive spatial audio and showcontrol products TiMax SoundHub and TiMax Tracker. As a result of the deal, tm stagetec systems staff have undertaken training for TiMax products in Sydney from Out Board director Dave Haydon. Mark Lownds, general manager at tm stagetec systems, comments: “We are thrilled to welcome TiMax into the tm stagetec systems’ suite of brands. The fit between our technology-driven ethos and the leading edge, high-quality technology offered by TiMax products is a perfect match.” (Jim Evans)
EMEA - Production Resource Group (PRG) and VER have completed their merger in Europe and the Middle East, becoming the largest entertainment and equipment and services provider. The entities will be controlled by The Jordan Company, GSO Capital Partners and PRG Management.Jere Harris will serve as chairman and CEO of PRG and VER, and Stephan Paridaen will be president and COO. Harris comments: “For more than 20 years PRG has been diligent in offering its clients the best production service and equipment in the entertainment industry. Growth across disciplines, markets and geographies has always been a key part of our strategy. Now, our ability to support all types of entertainment productions globally will take on new meaning, raising an already high bar to an unprecedented level.” According to a statement, combining PRG and VER’s strength will now offer
Music & Politics - Lana Del Rey has hit back at critics defending her decision to perform at Meteor festival in Israel. She tweeted: “I believe music is universal and should be used to bring us together. Performing in Tel Aviv is not a political statement or a commitment to the politics there, just like singing here in California doesn’t mean my views are in alignment [with] my current government’s opinions or sometimes inhuman actions.” In response, The Palestine Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel issued a statement urging the singer "to reconsider". The debate about artists performing in Israel is still very politicised. Roger Waters, Lauryn Hill and Elvis Costello have boycotted Israel in recent years. But there are also plenty of artists who have played Tel Aviv, including Justin Bieber, Radiohead, Elton John, Guns N' Roses and Lady Gaga
Australia - Chameleon Touring Systems has re-designed its website as it marks 30 years in business this year. The new website, www.chameleon-touring.com.au, features a comprehensive inventory list as well as a news section and gallery. Various 30th anniversary celebrations are in the pipeline, according to the company. (Jim Evans)
