Events

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10 March 2025

USA - Adamson’s new VGt flagship line array and VGs powered subwoofer were on display at the NAMM show in January this year, with a special demonstration event.

Audio professionals, engineers, and enthusiasts were invited to the exclusive demonstration event given by Adamson personnel at the City National Grove in Anaheim.

The event offered attendees an up-close look at the VGt and VGs along with an opportunity to network with industry peers while enjoying drinks and appetisers.

“Adamson is proud to introduce the Vergence Group to the NAMM community,” says Brian Fraser, head of product and technology at Adamson. “The VGt and VGs are the result of years of innovation and engineering, aimed at delivering superior sound quality and operational efficiency. These products are a testament to our commitment to pushing the boundaries of what

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07 March 2025

UK - Backup Tech’s annual summertime day of fun and frivolity, this year renamed The Fabulous Village Fete in celebration of Adam Taylor, aka Adam Fabulous, DJ and long-time supporter of the event, will once again take place at Surrey’s Daytona Sandown Park on Thursday 10 July.

With shooting brakes, feather boas, picnic blankets, cake creations and voluminous veg to the fore, the industry is invited to enjoy the event’s perennial favourites, including Best Dressed Fete’r, the hugely popular Bake Off and Veg Off, The Straw Stage for live entertainment and workshops, Peasant laser clay Shooting, the Food and Craft Fest stalls and some new additions, to be announced later in the build-up to the day.

“The fete stalls proved incredibly popular last year, and even more companies want them this year so,

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06 March 2025

Europe - The preparations for the Showlight Quadrennial in Dijon (19 - 22 May 2025) are gathering speed with the programme of speakers almost complete and logistics rapidly falling into place.

Key to the spirit of Showlight is the support received from the generous sponsors and exhibitors without whose valuable contributions Showlight, as an entirely voluntary organisation, could not take place.

“We are excited to welcome no less than 22 sponsors and 30 exhibitors to Showlight 2025, with more still to come, bringing their products and their presence to enrich the event over the three exciting days,” say the organisers.

The Exhibitor Hall is the centre of the networking space, where all delegates and speakers mix in between Papers Sessions to exchange ideas, meet colleagues and make new contacts. The emphasis is on networking, and talk rev

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06 March 2025

UK - The Association of British Theatre Technicians has announced the launch of its one-day Automation Foundation CPD Course and ABTT Silver Award for Theatre Automation Technicians, adding to its already diverse training programme.

The new one-day ABTT Automation Foundation CPD is an entry-level course designed and created to introduce attendees to this sector of the industry, giving them an understanding of the key components and applications for automation within theatre and live events, as well as an understanding of how automation teams operate.

This continuous professional development (CPD) course gives the candidate something to show future employers or training providers, demonstrating that they have invested time and know the rudimentary basics of automation.

It will also enable attendees to progress on to the ABTT Silver Award for T

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06 March 2025

South Africa - DWR Distribution hosted the much-anticipated annual International Rigging Course from 27 January to 1 February, presented by Ruud de Deugd, founder of T&E Support. As the only training programme of its kind in the country, the course drew delegates from across South Africa, Namibia, Ghana, Zambia, and Mauritius, ranging from novices to experienced professionals.

Ruud, renowned for leading these training sessions globally, provided insights into the rigging industry. Over six days, participants covered vital topics such as safety protocols, maintenance practices, lifting materials, force calculations, and load tables. Attendees were expected to have a solid understanding of mathematics, as the training blended practical skills with technical theory.

“It feels like the family is back together,” Ruud shared upon his return to Sout

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06 March 2025

UK - Martin Audio, along with sister brands, Optimal Audio, TiMax, Linea Research and OutBoard, are again joining forces for their open day programme – showing the best of what the Focusrite Pro brands have to offer.

This will take place over three days, from 11-13 March. However, such is the momentum of these twice-a-year networking and demonstration events that the first day is already fully booked.

Martin Audio will be running separate stage monitor, point source, constant curvature and line array demonstrations (with selective on-demand listening sessions). In-depth training will be provided for DISPLAY and VU-NET software.

TiMax will showcase immersive audio solutions across TiMax panLab, TiMax SoundHub and TiMax Tracker.

Optimal Audio will provide an engaging multi-zone commercial audio demonstration, including new products, a

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05 March 2025

UK - The Olivier Awards 2025 with Mastercard have announced that the recipients of this year’s Industry Recognition Awards are Bryan Raven, Rupert Bielby and Sue Uings.

Bryan Raven is recognised for his ‘transformative impact on the theatre sector’, from leading White Light for over 25 years, to championing sustainability, and facilitating and training a new generation of technicians through his support for TheatreCraft and White Light’s apprenticeship programme.

Rupert Bielby has ‘37 years of outstanding leadership in West End theatre operations’, shaping some of London’s most iconic venues. His dedication, particularly in guiding LW Theatres through the challenges of Covid and reopening, has left a lasting impact on the industry.

Sue Uings is recognised for her ‘exceptional contributions to theatre marketing and ti

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04 March 2025

Creative Consent - Organisations including the Society of London Theatre and UK Theatre, Equity and the Writers’ Guild of Great Britain are urging the government to ensure creative work cannot be mined by artificial intelligence unless its creator has given express consent.

The government is consulting on targeted protections for the arts following a backlash against its controversial new plans, under which AI would be able to train easily on content unless its creators forbade it. But unions have warned that “the clock is ticking” to put safeguards in place against the “industrial-scale theft” they claim is already unfolding.

Equity and the WGGB have now demanded an opt-in model for creative workers, under which they must give permission for their work to be used by AI, as well as fair remuneration for artists where their content is used,

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28 February 2025

USA - Pharos Architectural Controls will once again be joining the lighting industry at this year’s LEDucation, where they will be showcasing a host of new product updates.

LEDucation is the largest LED-only tradeshow in the United States, offering the opportunity for industry professionals to discover solid-state innovations and access professional development sessions.

Pharos will be on stand GB-706, unveiling updates to its most popular products and services. This includes the next significant release of Expert software, that will add support for the Pharos RIO G4 – a four-port network gateway for DMX distribution.

Expert software version 1.2 launches with support for two new capacity variants of Expert Control: Expert Control 4 and Expert Control 6. The four-universe Expert Control 4 has a capacity of 2,048 DMX channels and the Expert

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27 February 2025

UK - Production Futures has announced that its next On Tour event will take place at the AO Arena, Manchester on Monday 28 April. The venue is one of the largest of its kind in the UK, and will host a Production Futures event for the second time, following the success of last year’s arena debut.

Set to attract a wide range of young people from across North-West England and beyond, this free-of-charge event will promote employability, transferable skills, diversity, free training, networking, and will present paid work opportunities to newcomers across the live event and broadcast production industry.

Manufacturers, supply and production companies, venues and distributors will have representatives present at the event to provide advice, information and insights, and discuss specific job and training opportunities. Production Futures also wo

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26 February 2025

Germany - At the 30th edition of Prolight + Sound (8-11 April 2025), the trade fair will present a significantly expanded ProAudio area. With innovative formats, optimised education and networking opportunities, and a focus on future-oriented technologies, the area will become a central hotspot for professionals and young talents, say the organisers.

Music and audio technology have always been essential elements of the event industry and are deeply rooted in the DNA of Prolight + Sound. In 2025, the trade fair will expand its offering for audio engineers, DJs and producers.

A number of well-known companies from the Pro Audio sector have already confirmed their participation in 2025, including Amate Audio, Babbel & Haeger with various sales brands, DAS Audio, Harmonic Design, HK Audio (Music & Sales professional GmbH), Kling & Freitag, KV2

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25 February 2025

Sounds of Silence - More than 1,000 musicians – including Annie Lennox, Damon Albarn and Kate Bush – have released a silent album in protest at the UK government's planned changes to copyright law, which they say would make it easier for AI companies to train models using copyrighted work without a licence.

Under the new proposals, AI developers will be able to use creators' content on the internet to help develop their models, unless the rights holders elect to "opt out". The artists hope the album, entitled Is This What We Want?, will draw attention to the potential impact on livelihoods and the UK music industry. All profits will be donated to the charity Help Musicians.

"In the music of the future, will our voices go unheard?" Kate Bush said in a statement. A public consultation on the legal changes closes later today, Tuesday.

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24 February 2025

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24 February 2025

USA - The ADJ team will be hitting the road over the coming weeks and months to showcase the company’s latest lighting technology at a series of local open house events across the USA. Each Beams, Bites & Bright Ideas event will be hosted at an ADJ dealer and provide an opportunity to see new fixtures in person before they are released, as well as to network and talk shop with ADJ reps as well as other local lighting pros with complimentary food and beverages provided.

Building on the success of ADJ’s recent road show tours, these new micro events will focus on quality connections. Lighting pros will have the opportunity to look at and touch ADJ’s new fixtures before they begin to ship, as well as see them in action and ask questions of the knowledgeable ADJ rep who will be on hand.

Attendees will have the chance to discover the IP

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20 February 2025

Saudi Arabia - Riyadh is home to the biggest outdoor festival in the Middle East - SoundStorm.

Created by entertainment company MDLBeast, in December 2024, the event welcomed over 450,000 fans and 200 international artists - including Clair Global touring clients Eminem, Muse and Linkin Park as headliners, boasting an eclectic mix of genres.

Clair Global's contribution required coordination from multiple warehouses across four time zones, utilizing 150 worldwide crew from group partners Eighth Day Sound, ATK and AudioRent Clair. The audio team was led by Clair KSA regional manager Stuart Wright, and Eighth Day Sound's Owen Orzack, while Ethan Quint and Carlos Elizondo from the Clair Data Services team, led the IT, comms, and radio deployments for the entirety of the production site.

Reflecting on the festival’s most ambitious event yet, Stu

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19 February 2025

UK - PLASA Focus Leeds returns to the Royal Armouries on 13-14 May 2025, bringing together the latest innovations and the brightest minds in live events, installation, and entertainment technology. The show will celebrate the people behind the industry, providing a unique platform for learning, networking, and hands-on exploration of cutting-edge technology.

With over 175 leading brands spanning audio, AV, lighting, rigging, and staging, the show floor will be brimming with groundbreaking technology and industry-first launches. Attendees can get hands-on with the latest products, connect directly with brand specialists, and build lasting relationships with industry peers.

Lighting professionals can explore leading brands including headline sponsor Ambersphere, alongside Avolites, ChamSys, Chauvet Europe, Entedi, ETC, GLP UK, Prolight, Robe UK, TMB, a

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18 February 2025

Germany - Prolight + Sound, the international trade fair highlight for event and entertainment technology is celebrating its 30^th anniversary.

Mira Wölfel, director Prolight + Sound, comments: “With the anniversary edition, we want to offer exhibitors and partners, but above all visitors, a particularly inspiring environment with a stronger technical focus and optimised networking opportunities.

“My heartfelt thanks go in particular to our association partners and our new trade fair advisory board, which is providing us with significant support in the further development of the show. Above all, the 30th anniversary of Prolight + Sound is an occasion for us to look to the future with great motivation.”

Based on numerous discussions with the movers and shakers of the sector, the next Prolight + Sound will have three top themes

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18 February 2025

Manchester Calling - Manchester’s cultural sector has bounced back post-pandemic and generated more than £342m last year for the city, a report has revealed. The Annual Culture Impact Survey, presented to the Manchester City Council’s Economy and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee last week, declared that the figure amounted to a "very good" return on the investment of council money in culture.

According to the report, Manchester City Council invested £23.1m in arts, culture and libraries in 2023-24, which helped leverage a further £159.2m from other private, public and other funding streams during the same year. It said this represented an overall economic boost to the city of more than £342m, an amount deemed to demonstrate a post-pandemic recovery. The report also revealed that footfall at Manchester’s cultural venues stands at 93% of its

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11 February 2025

USA - Billed as an 'evening of music and solidarity', the FireAid Benefit Concert – hosted by the Intuit Dome and Kia Forum on 30 January – saw 35 artists perform in a live broadcast that helped to raise millions for wildfire recovery efforts.

Organised by the Annenberg Foundation, as the event began, $2m dollars were raised thanks to a $1m donation from Irish rock band U2 matched in contribution by Clippers Organisation and Intuit Dome ownership Steve and Connie Ballmer. At the time of press, an estimated $100m has been raised, with funds allocated to the rebuilding of LA communities and wildfire prevention methods.

Clair Global’s team was led by Meegan Holmes, general manager of Clair’s Sun Valley, CA location. Clair, together with group brands Eighth Day Sound and Sound Image supported client rehearsals for Billie Eilish, Jelly Ro

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11 February 2025

Stepping Down - Celebrated lighting designer Paule Constable has announced her retirement from theatre. The multi-Olivier award-winning designer announced the move after accepting her award for Services to UK Theatre at the WhatsOnStage Awards 2025.

Over her lengthy career, she has worked for organisations including the National Theatre, the Donmar Warehouse and the Royal Shakespeare Company, as well as the Michael Grandage Company. Her many shows have included War Horse, Evita, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, The Light Princess and Ballet Shoes, as well as operas with Glyndebourne, the Royal Ballet and Opera and English National Opera. She has won five Olivier awards and two Tony Awards.

Creamfields - Anyma has been named as the first headliner at the upcoming

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10 February 2025

Spain - Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) 2025 wrapped up ‘a highly successful week’ in Barcelona. The exhibition showcased its highest number of exhibitors with 1,605 and the largest show floor space with 92,000 sq.m net.

ISE 2025 welcomed 85,351 unique verified visitors from 168 countries, marking a 15.5% increase from the previous year.

Attendance from the DACH region saw a significant increase of 7% at ISE 2025, coming close to the numbers last seen during the event’s years in Amsterdam, highlighting the region’s strong and growing engagement with the show.

Mike Blackman, managing director of Integrated Systems Events, stated: “ISE 2025 has surpassed all expectations, setting new milestones in both attendance and innovation. The energy and engagement from our attendees and exhibitors have been truly remarkable. From the dynamic sh

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03 February 2025

Spain - L-Acoustics will host special Masters of Sound Experience interview and discussion sessions in Hall 8.0, demo room B4 on 4,5 and 6 February 5. These sessions will give guests the opportunity to delve into the creative process of today’s most forward-thinking sound designers: Tony Award-winning Cody Spencer (sound designer for Here Lies Love, The Outsiders, Romeo + Juliet 2024, JOB), Xandy Whitesell (sound engineer for Bon Iver, Nathaniel Rateliff, Gregory Alan Isakov) and Stephen Hughes (sound design and sound engineer for BBC Proms).

L-Acoustics will maintain a significant presence at ISE 2025, with displays in the Professional Audio hall (Hall 7, booth 7G150), and Residential hall (Hall 2, booth #2F150), where it will present its comprehensive range of professional and architectural audio solutions.

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28 January 2025

Theatres at Risk - RAAC infected theatres the Brunton, the Harlequin and Motherwell Concert Hall have been added to the Theatres Trust’s ‘Theatres at Risk Register’ as the list approaches two decades of advocating for building preservation. The three venues, two of which are facing imminent demolition following the discovery of potentially dangerous concrete (RAAC) in their infrastructures, are among five new additions to the register alongside Oswaldtwistle Civic Theatre and Arts Centre and Cannock’s Prince of Wales Theatre. All five are local authority-owned, mid- to small-scale venues located outside of major cities.

Announcing the 2025 register, Theatres Trust director Joshua McTaggart noted that RAAC was proving a "particularly tricky" problem, and warned cash-strapped local authorities that cutting arts provisions would rob communities of "vita

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23 January 2025

UK - The Association of British Theatre Technicians (ABTT) has announced the launch of the third edition of its annual proactive conference day, the ABTT Make A Difference Conference, which is committed to finding solutions to current industry issues. The 2025 conference will be held on Friday 28 March 2025 at Rose Bruford College in Sidcup.

The theme for this year’s discussion is Rethinking backstage technical teaching and apprenticeships with and for Industry.

The conference is designed to be more than simply talking. There is no passive sitting and listening at the conference and if you attend, you are to committing to taking action by sharing your thoughts and views. You will spend the day developing ideas and strategies to achieve solutions for the issues discussed.

Following the success of the 2023 conference, which covered t