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18 June 2025

USA - A new task group has been formed by ASTM International to create safety standards for drone show operations, focusing on technical requirements, procedures, and risk management. Chaired by Nils Thorjussen of Verge Aero, the group invites broad industry participation to support the growth of the emerging drone show sector. The initiative has the support and participation of the FAA.

Drone shows have come a long way in just a few years. Pioneering work undertaken in laboratories has led to the creation of technologies to deploy massive, record-setting shows worldwide. But not all systems are created equally, with significant differences in sophistication and safety features. Likewise, some operators are far more professional and detail-oriented than others. Intense price competition in the market has made many people focus on cost and not safety.

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18 June 2025

South Africa - The Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre at the University of KwaZulu-Natal has upgraded its ageing Tungsten Fresnels to ETC Source Four LED engines, and has invested in Fresnel Adapters to provide soft beam lighting suitable for any stage configuration. The new fixtures were used for the first time in the production of Bodies of Water, a soulful contemporary dance work by Flatfoot Dance Company.

“The theatre had some Tungsten Source Fours that they wanted to upgrade,” explains Michael Taylor-Broderick from DWR Distribution’s Durban branch. “After an internal discussion with my colleague, Kevin Stannett, we suggested a solution that would give them the best bang for their buck.”

ETC’s smart retrofitting options include adapters that make its LED engines multi-purpose, allowing lens tubes to be swapped out to suit different ne

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18 June 2025

USA - The second annual Montreux Jazz Festival Miami, an extension of the long-running Swiss music festival, brought three days of sold-out, world-class performances to The Hangar at Regatta Harbour in the Coconut Grove neighbourhood of Miami.

With technical production support from IPS and a striking lighting design built around Elation lighting gear, the event featured powerhouse sets from acts including Jon Batiste, Chaka Khan, Janelle Monáe, and La Descarga, among others.

ACT Productions returned as the local production company, with ACT director of operations Barbara Goicoechea noting: “The cooperation with IPS was excellent as always and our client was extremely happy. This year’s show was absolutely gorgeous, mostly because of the lighting that was used. We cannot thank IPS enough for doing such an incredible job.”

The f

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18 June 2025

Middle East - SRS Group is proud to announce that the company is coming to the Middle East, having partnered with NMK Electronics.

SRS Group’s first meeting with NMK was during the SLS Show in Saudi Arabia last year, where they expressed a strong interest in representing the brand.

“After careful consideration, we decided to proceed with NMK,” said Samuel Sloboda, CEO of SRS Group. “What really stood out to us was their professionalism, proactive approach, and deep understanding of the Middle Eastern market. Their energy, strategic mindset, and commitment to growth convinced us that they are the right partner to represent us in the region.

“Furthermore, their portfolio is an ideal match for all three of our divisions [Rigging, Power and Lighting], and we are certain that this collaboration will prove to be the right decision f

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18 June 2025

Poland - Portman Lights, the Polish manufacturer known for its iconic, eye-catching fixture designs seen on stages from global tours to top TV shows, has just flipped the script – and the switch. It has opened its factory doors to musicians.

Portman has transformed the heart of its Gdynia-based factory into a fully functional concert stage – using only its own static lighting fixtures, including the latest hybrid product, Omniray. The launch of Portman Factory Sessions, a new YouTube series, invites artists to perform live in the very space where the company’s renowned lighting products are designed and built.

“We wanted to go beyond showcasing our fixtures in promo videos or spotting them somewhere in the world on stage,” says Michał, brand manager at Portman Lights. “We wanted to show what happens when the people who build the gear col

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17 June 2025

UK - The PLASA Awards for Innovation are back for 2025, and entries are officially open.  

Celebrating the most forward-thinking technology across lighting, audio, AV, staging, rigging and beyond, the awards recognise products that bring something genuinely new to the table, whether it’s a technical step forward, a sustainability breakthrough, or a clever commercial edge. 

Run in partnership with LSi, the awards are independently judged by a panel of experts who know what real innovation looks like. All shortlisted ent

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17 June 2025

UAE - The International Jazz Day, Global Allstar Concert, takes place every 30 April, bringing together some of the biggest names in the jazz world. The 2025 edition was led by Herbie Hancock and hosted by Jeremy Irons.

Usually taking place in a theatre or concert hall, 2025 saw the concert moved to an arena setting for the first time, broadcast from the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. Lighting and production designer, Tyler Littman, who has designed the IJD production since 2014, was directed by the producers to ‘go big’ with his design, which he did. “We also wanted to maintain a feeling of intimacy yet simultaneously making the show truly fill the enormous space,” he says.

To achieve this, Littman put together a rig that was ‘nearly all Ayrton’, supplied by PRG’s hub in Dubai. There were 170 Ayrton fixtures including Argo 6 Wash

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17 June 2025

Estonia - Robe’s Estonian distributor, Tallinn-based E&T, is in the final stages of delivering a major order for moving and LED lights for 10 major theatres across the country, where all forms of live performance are strongly engrained in Estonian culture.

In most cases, the new LED lighting fixtures are replacing ageing tungsten or halogen-based lighting. E&T’s Olev Luhaäär stated that the company was “delighted” to win the bid to be the supplier for the initiative, chosen from stiff competition, adding that it “underlines the quality and range of Robe’s products that are designed and spec’d for this demanding lighting discipline”.

A total of 15 different Robe products have been specified across the 10 venues including T1 and T2 Profiles, Fresnels and Follow Spots, LEDBeam 350s, Spiiders, iParFect FWQ RGBWs and RGBWs, T11 P

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17 June 2025

Germany - For Wincent Weiss’s arena tour in March 2025, the renowned design studio St. Robo developed a fully integrated show design – including set, lighting and content, as well as IMAG and creative direction. The design concept and implementation were developed in close collaboration within an interdisciplinary team dedicated to developing a new visual language for the artist. The focus was on emotional impact, technical finesse and a deliberate departure from traditional stage conventions.

Pop singer and songwriter Wincent Weiss became known for his authentic German-language songs and energetic live shows – characteristics that also played a central role in the visual storytelling of the 2025 arena tour.

The St. Robo team – consisting of Nik Evers, Philipp Hillers, Markus Eibl, Hannes Geers and Andy Machals, among others – pursued a bol

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17 June 2025

UK - LSi is sad to report the passing of Dave Keighley on 9 June 2025. Until May 2024, Keighley had served as Chairman of the PSA (Production Services Association) before ill health led to his retirement. Prior to that, he enjoyed a long career in lighting, design and production, touring with many leading artists and leading several big-name companies, including of Light and Sound Design (LSD), Syncrolite LLC, SGM Lighting and PRG Europe, where he was managing director from 1998 to 2008.

A statement from the PSA reads: “Dave was instrumental, together with other well-known industry names, in forming the PSA in the late ‘80s. Over many decades, Dave continued to promote, support and advocate for the association’s work, representing those who work in live event production.”

It continues: “Dave was an inspiration to many, he was a visionary, a

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16 June 2025

Germany - Hit TV show Dein Song showcased the best emerging songwriters this spring with each contestant performing amid bespoke content displayed on three LED screens, all driven by Hippotizer Media Servers.

Creative production studio LUPIXX used two Boreal+ MK2s, supplied by ETC, to deliver a wealth of content created by Saskia Olma at LUPIXX and her team. “We were responsible for the content design of the finale, creating custom animations, visual concepts, and LED stage content to support the young songwriters’ performances and bring their music to life in an atmospheric and powerful way,” explains Olma. “The Boreal+ MK2 Media Servers are so user friendly, easy to set up and good to go, making the process and realisation of the show stress-free.”

The popular programme is produced by ZDF in collaboration with children’s channe

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16 June 2025

USA - JJ Grey had one bit of advice for the artists who joined him and his band Mofro for their two-day festival, The Blackwater Sol Revival, which kicked off 24 May. ‘Don’t stand on the side of the stage because I’m going to put you on the spot’.

The artist was true to his word. Guest stars, a group that included John Anderson, The Marshall Tucker Band, Season 24 The Voice winner Huntley, and 49 Winchester, were called up on stage at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre in St Augustine, FL. to join JJ Grey & Mofro as they performed their captivating blend of southern rock and blues with a distinctive touch of jazz.

Setting an engaging atmosphere on stage, while supporting each artist with strong, natural-looking light was a Martin Thomas design that featured an even 100 Chauvet Professional fixtures supplied by AVL Production

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16 June 2025

USA - The Ruth and Nathan Hale Theatre, also known as The Ruth at dōTERRA, opened its doors on 4 January 2025, and is already making a name for itself as a premier performing arts venue. A culmination of years of planning, the new venue in Pleasant Grove, Utah is equipped with Elation’s latest lighting technology.

The venue houses two theatres, the 670-seat Scott and Karen Smith Grand Theatre and the intimate 300-seat Lindsay Legacy Theatre. Elation lighting graces both theatres, including 40 Artiste Monet luminaires and 88 KL Profile FC fixtures, supplied by Barbizon Light of the Rockies, and 103 Fuze Pendant Compact fixtures, sold by Elation dealer Brio Technologies. Michael Gray, head of lighting at The Ruth, specified fixture types and quantities.

The theatre operated for 35 years as the Hale Center Theatre Orem, a small semi-professional thea

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16 June 2025

UK - On 4 June, the Association of British Theatre Technicians hosted its Annual Awards after a busy first day of the ABTT Theatre Show at Alexandra Palace, London. This event is a cornerstone of the ABTT, dedicated to honouring outstanding contributions to the theatre and live events sector and recognises the achievements of those who are shaping the future of the industry.

Ted Moore, director at sponsors TAIT, said of the Awards: “TAIT is really proud to be here once again to sponsor the ABTT Awards, which I truly believe are the best award presentations anywhere in our industry. We wish all the nominees good luck and give congratulations to whoever the winners may be.”

The five Product Awards recognise the achievements of products which are substantially new to the market during the last 12 months and are available now for purchase, immediate

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16 June 2025

UK - Wealdstone FC has announced a partnership with Version 2, who will become its official digital & broadcast partner.

Its logo will feature prominently on the Stones first-team shorts for the duration of the next two campaigns, alongside branding across the stadium and matchday publications. 

Version 2 are lighting rental specialists for the broadcast and event industries supplying a broad range of productions, including Strictly Come Dancing, Britain’s Got Talent and the BAFTA Awards.

The company is also active in the sports outside broadcast sector, supplying lighting facilities to the FIFA World Cup, Premiership Rugby and Wimbledon Tennis Championship.

This is its first football partnership having previously served as the official partner of Boxxer and Sky Sports Boxing and most recently Saracen

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16 June 2025

UK - Pharos Architectural Controls has announced John Jarrard as the new regional sales manager for the Middle East.

His appointment is part of a long-term growth strategy within the sales operation, designed to strengthen regional engagement and create new development opportunities for team members.

Jarrard brings over a decade of experience in architectural lighting controls, having led European and Middle East sales at ENTTEC and Advatek Lighting, where he developed key customer relationships and was responsible for commercial strategy.

On his new role, Jarrard said: “It’s a career highlight for me to be joining the Pharos team. I’m looking forward to the new challenges this role will bring, while being able to leverage the skills and relationships I have from my previous sales positions. I’m looking forward to championing the Phar

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13 June 2025

USA - Lady Gaga’s 2025 Mayhem show rolled into Coachella where her headliner slot featured a two-hour performance complete with elaborate costumes, epic set, video and ‘diligently crafted lighting’.

Lighting designer Jeremy Lechterman of FragmentNine (F9) was part of the creative team – which included production designers Es Devlin and Jason Ardizzone-West, choreographer Parris Goebel, video designer Jackson Gallagher and the artist herself, who devised this stadium show, inspired by a dynamic mix of pop, opera, rock, gothic and several other genres. The show has also been staged in Mexico, Rio de Janeiro – in front of over 2m fans – and Singapore.

Prominent on Jeremy’s lighting design for Coachella 2025’s Main Stage were some key Robe moving light elements – 82 x iForte LTXs, 17 x iForte LTX Follow Spot and 22 x Esprites.<

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13 June 2025

USA - Pitbull recently wowed audiences at the Fontainebleau Las Vegas resort hotel, the first phase of a residency.

The task of adapting his recent Party After Dark tour for a show renamed Vegas After Dark fell to his long-term creatives, production manager Victor Martinez and creative director Yamil Charif (of YC3 Design).

Charif explains that having toured with nine trucks of gear, they needed to scale back – integrating with the existing house rig at the hotel’s 3,800-seat BleauLive Theatre and at the same time introducing some new lighting solutions from GLP: “We already had GLP equipment out on the tour – a bunch of JDC1 [hybrid strobes] – and we kept most of these because they are a key element of the show.”

In fact, Charif is such an advocate of JDC1 that he earlier invested for his own production company,

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12 June 2025

USA - Elation has announced that Luxsonix Group has been appointed as its new manufacturer’s representative firm for Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee, effective 1 June 2025. The partnership also includes representation of Obsidian Control Systems and Magmatic atmospheric effects products.

Based in Franklin, Tennessee, Luxsonix is a newly launched firm founded by Lee Carpenter, a respected industry veteran and former partner at independent rep firm Vision2 Marketing. With decades of experience on the manufacturer, representative, and touring sides of the entertainment technology industry, Carpenter brings a deep understanding of the market and a well-established network throughout the region.

Over the past decade, Carpenter played a pivotal role in growing Vision2 Marketing into the largest independent rep firm for professional audio, vi

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12 June 2025

Switzerland - Circus Knie 2025 in Rapperswil offers “a mixture of fantasy, poetry and magic”. Adding an extra glow to this vibrant mix and intensifying the fantasy, poetry and magic at the show was a versatile and lively lighting design by Axel Melchior. Like the circus itself, Melchior’s work radiated a delightful sense of surprise as it captivated the audience with its unexpected twists and turns.

The Circus Knie has happily reinvented itself during the course of its long and storied history (it began in 1803). Melchoir, boldly added a new dimension to his lighting design with help from some Chauvet Professional COLORado PXL Curve 12 fixtures supplied by Dushow. It was one of several enhancements he made this year.

“In our previous design, the light was very good from FOH, but I reworked the show so that it encompassed all the spectators mo

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11 June 2025

UK - Midwich has announced the launch of Live, a new division created to serve the needs of the live events industry through specialist distribution and trade rental services in the UK&I. Backed by the legacy, expertise, and energy of Sound Technology and PSCo, Live is designed to help partners ‘deliver extraordinary live events’.

Under the Live banner sit two independent specialist businesses – each focused on delivering excellence in their own area:

Live Technology – the distribution arm, formerly Sound Technology, providing market-leading brands in audio, lighting, video, and control to the live events community, supported by expert pre- and post-sales teams.

PSCo and Dry Hire Lighting – the trade rental arm, continuing to deliver exceptional service and specialist rental solutions through trusted teams and existing account s

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11 June 2025

Austria - Vienna’s Marx Halle hosted the 2025 Amadeus Austrian Music Awards, a major night out for the Austrian music industry, staged by IFPI Austria, to recognise outstanding achievements by Austrian artists and musicians.

No less standing out than the occasion itself was an eye-catching production lighting for the event created by Manfred Nikitser who incorporated eight Robe SVOPATT LED fixtures into his design.

Broadcast live on national television channel ORF, the 2025 event further celebrated 25 years of the Awards, stepping up from a theatre venue to this larger former industrial space right at the heart of the city’s event scene, which also upped the production values.

Manfred, lighting the Awards for the fourth time, wanted a strong, spectacular backlight feature for the 11 show-stopping live performances taking place in between

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11 June 2025

USA - With an eminent history dating back almost 100 years, Proctors is a 2,646-cap. theatre based in Schenectady, upstate New York.

It had largely fallen into disrepair when the city took over ownership in 1977 and initially earmarked to be torn down, before it was saved – thanks to its historic status – by the National Park Service, which offered to buy it for $1 and run it as a nonprofit. In 2005, the stagehouse was rebuilt to accommodate modern Broadway touring productions, such as the original Phantom of the Opera and Disney’s The Lion King – and it has enjoyed a close association with Broadway, including the ‘teching’ of Broadway tours.

“Since then, we have done dozens of techs, including the huge national tour of Disney’s Frozen, which left here in over 20 semis,” records Dan Sheehan, the theatre’

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11 June 2025

USA - Antari Lighting and Effects USA has announced the appointment of Ana Jaramillo as East Coast regional sales manager. With over 25 years of experience in the professional lighting and effects industry, including 23 years at Chauvet and additional time at Vestax and The DJ Store, Jaramillo brings considerable knowledge and strong industry relationships to the Antari USA team.

Based in South Florida, Jaramillo will oversee East Coast sales efforts for Antari’s full line of atmospheric effect products and serve as a dedicated lighting specialist for the U.S. distribution of the Event Lighting brand. With a solid background in lighting, atmospherics, and DJ effects, she is eager to apply her expertise and passion to support dealers and end users across the region.

“I am so excited and happy to join Ray and his team here at Antari USA,” said Ja