Lighting

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03 April 2025

USA - A complement of MA Lighting grandMA3 consoles was chosen to provide lighting control for the recent Apple Music Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show produced by Roc Nation, DPS and Jesse Collins Productions. Provided by PRG, three grandMA3 full-size systems and one light, which served as the tech desk, were deployed at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans.

This year, rapper Kendrick Lamar headlined the halftime show with guest appearances from R&B artist SZA, actor Samuel L. Jackson, tennis player Serena Williams and DJ/record producer Mustard. It was seen by a combined 133.5m viewers domestically across broadcast television and streaming platforms, becoming the most viewed halftime show in the US.

Eric Marchwinski of Burbank-based Earlybird Visual LLC partnered with Mark Humphrey to programme the lighting for the show. It marked Marchwinski

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03 April 2025

USA/Europe - ETC has announced the next-generation Hog lighting control consoles, designed to cater to the diverse needs of lighting professionals across the industry. The latest lineup combines portability, adaptability, and cutting-edge technology, making it a suitable solution for live productions of all sizes.

"With ETC at the helm, the Hog brand is back in the spotlight with this new series of lighting desks," says Sarah Clausen, senior product manager. "We’ve kept the core design that fans know and love while making thoughtful updates that will resonate with long-time Hog users. At the same time, we made the workflow smoother and more intuitive for new programmers. This new generation of Hog provides us with the sound footing we need to take Hog into the future."

The Tour Hog console is built for professionals who need a powerful and flexible

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02 April 2025

Europe - Plusfortyfive ApS is a new venture launched by the Generator Group in Denmark whose businesses and brands also include event and show technical production specialist VIGSØ.eu, and automation solutions manufacturer Motor Stage Automation.

The Danish-headquartered operation is headed by Kenneth Jakobsen – who brings 20 years of industry experience – and will be distributing and supporting several premium brands throughout the Scandinavian region.

The company hits the ground running with two German brands onboard, GLP (German Lighting Products) and HOF whose portfolio includes quality trussing, stage and rigging products.

Jakobsen and his team will grow the business organically through establishing a series of additional regional offices and partnerships. This will start in Norway and Sweden in addition to Denmark, with more announ

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02 April 2025

Hungary - An impressive art installation comprising a series of sculptures within the newly renovated Hagymatikum Spa in Mako, is drawing crowds as an immersive experience, made possible with a system by Pharos Architectural Controls.

The spa in the Hungarian town is now home to Atlantis World, a series of Atlantis-themed sculptures based on the designs of famed Hungarian architect, the late Imre Makovecz, which were found hidden in his possessions.

The sculpture group dazzles visitors with light shows and three themed films, evoking the mythical world of the legendary lost city. To make this a reality, the production manager of the project, Hungarian designer Péter Horgas, specified Pharos to deliver the control elements of the attraction.

This new installation is just part of the appeal of Hagymatikum Spa, a popular destination in

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02 April 2025

Israel - Tel Aviv-based creative lighting design studio LEAD – founded by Omer Israeli and Dor Aichner – produced a sculptural lighting design concept for the Israeli tech company Mobileye’s 2025 Purim party event, staged in Pavilion 2 at the Tel Aviv Expo, produced by production specialist ThisPlay and designed by Shlomi Ilani.

Omer explained that they used Robe Tetra2 and TetraX fixtures at the core of this production lighting design.

The aesthetics involved a combination of lighting, automation and precise programming to produce “a dynamic composition of circular shapes and kinetic elements,” creating a “seamless flow of movement, light, and rhythm” to highlight and showcase a lineup of live artists performing in the vast barn-like venue space, which has 22m of headroom.

LEAD specifically wanted the ability to change the arch

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02 April 2025

USA/Europe - LumenRadio has launched the MoonLite2 portable wireless DMX transmitter and receiver.

Building on the success of MoonLite, MoonLite2 offers the same reliability and versatility as the original, but now comes with a new look and plenty of additional features, including a screen, RDM controller and DMX testing.

“MoonLite2 is a must-have tool in any gaffer or chief electrician’s kit,” says Michael Karlsson, product development manager for professional lighting at LumenRadio. “It gives you a compact, battery-powered Wireless DMX transceiver which can be plugged straight into a fixture’s DMX port for instant wireless capability.”

Capable of transmitting and receiving both CRMX and W-DMX, MoonLite2 is compatible with almost all wireless DMX fixtures. Its built-in battery and dual XLR connectors make it useable wherever wire

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02 April 2025

UK - Highlite UK has announced Ben Hall as its new area account manager. Hall will work in the southern areas to maintain and build customer relationships by providing account management, technical sales and support.

In his new role, Hall will use his wealth of product knowledge, gained from several years of working in the sound and lighting sector, and his notable recent trade distribution experience, to increase awareness of Highlite’s own brands (Showtec, Infinity, DAP, DMT, Artecta, Showgear and Wentex) and well-established industry distributor brands among the existing customer network and throughout new businesses opportunities.

Speaking on his appointment, Hall said: “I am looking forward to settling in the new role and getting to know customers, finding out how valuable Highlite is to them as a key supplier and supporting the team.”

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01 April 2025

UK - The multi-award-winning stage adaptation of Studio Ghibli’s 1988 animated film My Neighbour Totoro is brought to life by the Royal Shakespeare Company, in collaboration with composer Joe Hisaishi. Following its run at the Barbican Centre in 2022, the production has now transferred to the Gillian Lynne Theatre, continuing to captivate audiences with its spellbinding storytelling and imaginative staging.

Having supplied the lighting fixtures for the original production, White Light were approached once again by lighting designer Jessica Hung Han Yun and associate lighting designer and programmer Tamykha Patterson to provide the lighting rig for the transfer.

“The unusual thing about this show is that I’m both an associate lighting designer and a programmer,” says Tamykha. “During the prep leading into tech weeks, I wear my assoc

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01 April 2025

Spain - After six years away from the stage, Spanish masters of rock, ska, reggae and rap, La Raíz, made a triumphant return, exceeding all expectations with two concerts at Madrid’s Movistar Arena. More than 30,000 people on the nights of 22 November and 6 December experienced music and lighting worked in harmony.

The anticipation was sky-high, and the band did not disappoint - thousands of fans were treated to an electrifying show where music and lighting took centre stage. A stunning combination of gobos, prisms, and seamless colour transitions helped the band bring their visual narrative to life.

A key element in this long-awaited comeback was the dynamic lighting, which reached a new level thanks to 100 Ayrton Cobra moving heads. Featuring IP65-rated laser beam technology, these fixtures delivered a mix of power, precision, and versatility -

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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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31 March 2025

USA - Matthieu Larivée and his team of production and video designers at Lüz Studio along with LD Roger Grant are making magic happen night after night on the Grammy-winning string virtuoso's current 33-date North American arena and amphitheatre tour.

"Billy Strings' shows are unique," said Larivée. "It’s not your regular Blue Grass show by any means. It’s more like a mix of Grateful Dead and EDM. The show is an all-improv show. There are no setlists. There are six looks within our virtual and real lighting rigs that correspond to the show's six chapters. The crew decides which chapters they will use each night, and then stick to that chapter for a period of time, punting within that world. Those colourful worlds are defined within each chapter with lighting and video. So, it becomes cohesive, while still being very psychedelic and trippy." 

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31 March 2025

Europe - Celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, the 2025 edition of the exhibition will provide an appropriate platform for ADJ Lighting to showcase its latest innovations. As ADJ marks its own 40-year anniversary, the company is set to present an array of products, including automated luminaires and visually impactful static fixtures.

Visitors to Prolight+Sound 2025 will have the opportunity to experience firsthand the Vizi Pix Z19, the versatile Hydro Flex L7 and Hydro Flex L19, the powerful 40 HEX Panel IP, the retro-inspired Vintage X and Vintage Bar, and the innovative Encore DBX blinder.

Bringing a modern twist to classic lighting aesthetics, the Vintage X and Vintage Bar fixtures blend powerful amber blinder LEDs with RGB backlighting for dynamic visual impact.

Expanding ADJ’s renowned Hydro Series, the Hydro Flex L19 and Hydro

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28 March 2025

Europe - For Dream Theater’s milestone 40th Anniversary Tour, the band’s long-term lighting designer, Steve Baird, turned to the Martin Professional catalogue – specifically, 30 Martin MAC Aura PXL fixtures newly acquired by lighting supplier, Entec Live, from Martin UK distributor Sound Technology.

The tour, billed as An Evening With Dream Theater, reunites the band’s line-up - James LaBrie, John Myung, John Petrucci, Mike Portnoy, and Jordan Rudess - performing together for the first time in 14 years. The European leg launched at London’s O2 Arena on 20 October, 2024, spanned 23 cities across 17 countries before concluding in Amsterdam on 20th November.

At the heart of Baird’s ambitious lighting design were an array of Martin Professional fixtures, including 28 Martin MAC Aura PXLs, eight Martin MAC Aura XBs, and 10 Ma

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28 March 2025

Italy - Aligning a special seven-night cruise with the finale of the Sanremo Music Festival – which chooses Italy’s Eurovision pick each year – Costa Cruises and Carnival Maritime commissioned a massive lighting installation aboard its Costa Toscana ship, which was moored approximately 1k out of Sanremo’s harbour for the Saturday night music extravaganza.

This super-sized piece of light art involved 60 x Robe iBolts, the Czech manufacturer’s most powerful, high-impact laser-source searchlight-style fixture, and was overseen by Roberto Iavarone, entertainment superintendent for the Costa fleet.

“We had initially wanted to do this monumental style of lightshow for the 2024 event,” Iavarone explained, “but it was not possible to amass the right equipment in the time available, so we did a show, but this year the goal was to go <

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28 March 2025

India - A new commercial office space, featuring over 1m sq.ft and 11 storeys, has been transformed into a new head office for retailer Amazon. The location at Sattva Horizon business park, near Bangalore International Airport, will be host to more than 7,000 Amazon employees and mark a rapid development for the company in this region.

This expansion is part of Amazon’s broader growth strategy in major Indian cities, expanding its operations within this modern facility that will house all of the company’s business sectors. 

Lighting consultant Brainwave Designs created a new lighting scheme for the innovative workplace. Sattva Horizon awarded the job to architectural lighting manufacturer K-Lite, to supply a range of lighting solutions. A variety of K-Lite luminaires were installed, including Polar series poles in a variety of heights and option

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28 March 2025

Europe - At Prolight + Sound 2025, the Obsidian Control Systems team will be highlighting the latest Onyx lighting control innovations, including the first look at a new Onyx control product engineered to simplify programming and allow for quicker, more intuitive show design. Designers, programmers, and operators are invited to explore the new control solutions and all the latest innovations from Obsidian at Stand B49/C49 in Hall 12.1.

Obsidian will share the latest in its popular and award-winning line of Netron data distribution products. The Netron NS8 is a compact network switch featuring eight gigabit ports and PoE/PoE+ support, designed to distribute data and power to Netron nodes or any other PoE-compatible network appliance. Its IP version, the Netron NS8 IP, is part of the "world’s first IP66 range of data distribution devices for entertainment ap

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28 March 2025

USA - The Maverick Storm 1 Flex is the latest addition to the celebrated Maverick Storm family. The new, fully-featured IP65 rated spot/beam/wash projects a totally solid, flat even field of light from its LED engine, which is used instead of a lamp, so there are absolutely no ugly hotspots, even at the most narrow zoom. That makes this fixture well-suited to address an issue commonly faced in broadcast applications in addition to excelling on tours.

Regardless of whether it's an ultra-tight beam or a wide spot, the Maverick Storm 1 Flex with its advanced lens technology projects a consistently even field light that makes it easy to blend multiple units of this fixture together for beautifully balanced aerial or textured wall effects.

Thanks to its balanced hotspot-free light, this versatile fixture can produce sharp, crisp gobos (both static and rot

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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

The Netherlands - Popular Dutch TV personality Fred van Leer hosted the third incarnation of the hit concert Fred and Friends at Rotterdam’s Ahoy Arena, with Green Hippo’s Hippotizer Media Servers at the core.

Some of Europe’s biggest stars performed in front of five portrait LED screens on motion rigs, capable of moving up and down. Above these and behind the band, three full-width LED banners were installed.

‘Impact architects’ Tenfeet collaborated with the production team to deliver lighting and video design and programming, supplying two Hippotizer Boreal+ MK2 Media Servers in a main and backup configuration.

“We primarily used DMX control to operate the Hippotizer servers from our lighting console, which enabled real-time triggering of effects and bumps in sync with the music, the ability to add musical accents manua

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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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27 March 2025

USA - Pharos Architectural Controls is set to continue its busy schedule of industry events, with the announcement that it will be returning to Las Vegas for this year’s LightFair show in May.

Pharos will be on stand 1842 to meet delegates and showcase a raft of important updates to its product offering, with a particular focus on Pharos Expert.

The team will be demonstrating the latest changes to the Expert range, including additional capability to support the Pharos RIO G4 – a four-port gateway which now adds convenient Ethernet-distributed DMX ports to an Expert system. The show will also offer the chance for Pharos to showcase its latest improvements to Expert software, including RDM (Remote Device Management) fixture status monitoring and support for luminaires with extended parameters, such as focus, zoom and gobo.

Expert software v

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26 March 2025

Europe - ETC is gearing up to return to Frankfurt for Prolight + Sound 2025, taking place from 8-11 April at Messe Frankfurt. In celebration of its 50th anniversary, the company will be showing a series of new and established products, showcasing its commitment to advancing technology and lighting solutions.

ETC European marketing manager Rosi Marx comments: “ETC’s 50th anniversary marks a major milestone in the company’s history. We’ve continued to evolve and develop new products, and this year’s show will reflect this with our new offering. We are incredibly proud of the journey ETC has been on over the last 50 years, and we’re looking forward to celebrating this achievement with our customers and partners at Prolight + Sound.”

In Frankfurt, ETC will present its latest product releases and celebrate its 50th anniversary throughout the

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26 March 2025

The Netherlands - The dynamic production of Mamma Mia! The Party in Rotterdam featured the Follow-Me Track-iT system at the heart of its lighting design.

Mamma Mia! The Party is an immersive theatrical show that combines the magic of Mamma Mia! - the successful theatre production - with a dining experience. Set in a vibrant Greek taverna with the entire venue being used as the set, the show invites audiences to become part of the action, interacting with the cast and enjoying a meal while the story unfolds around them. With lively performances, ABBA music, and a mix of comedy and drama, Mamma Mia! The Party creates a high-energy environment that blurs the line between audience and performers.

The Follow-Me Track-iT system was chosen for its ability to accurately track the performers through the venue, adjusting lig

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26 March 2025

USA - When lighting designer Jaycob Luque played his first ever date with Canadian DJ/producer Kaytranada on Hallowe’en in 2021, he was supported by multiples of GLP’s impression X4 Bars.

“The X4 was revolutionary at the time,” he says. But fast forward three years and Kaytranada’s production values have scaled up – and GLP has moved to its X5 platform. So now, the designer has been able to upgrade to impression X5 IP Bars, specifying 156 fixtures. These have dominated the set for their power and versatility on the recent US stadium and amphitheatre Timeless tour. The show has also visited Australia, New Zealand and Africa and will visit Europe next spring.

“I’ve received nothing but positive feedback from fans and industry alike,” says Luque. “The X5 IP Bars were truly the highlight and I have never been more satisfied w