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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

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11 June 2025

USA - Equipson will officially unveil its new LightShark X-Series at InfoComm 2025, a line of professional DMX/RDM control devices designed to deliver maximum compatibility, advanced connectivity, and full configurability for demanding lighting applications.

The new Node 6X and Node 12X offer six and 12 DMX universes respectively, with full support for RDM E1.20, ArtNet, and sACN, and allow users to adjust the DMX refresh rate between 15 and 44 Hz. Each port can be independently configured as an input or output, enabling bidirectional conversion between Ethernet and DMX, as well as flexible routing of DMX512 signals to ArtNet or sACN.

Both units offer Power over Ethernet (PoE, 802.3af, modes A and B) and a direct power input of 100–277 VAC, 50/60 Hz via a TrueOne connector. For long-distance applications, the Node 6X and 12X feature fibre optic con

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10 June 2025

UK - The second Profile Awards ceremony was held at the Alexandra Palace Theatre on 5 June 2025. Created and are coordinated by Durham and Jennie Marenghi in association with the ALPD, the ABTT and the STLD, the awards recognise lighting design excellence in theatre and TV in the UK.

The event was attended by 250 people and of those 150 were lighting designers or members of their lighting teams. The headline sponsor was Ayrton, with Ambersphere Solutions sponsoring the drinks reception, entry sponsors included ER Productions, Encore, Limelite and Sunbelt Rental Film and TV who also supplied the goody bags. The lighting for the event was kindly supplied by HS-Hire, the lasers by ER Productions and the lectern gifted by Encore.

In order of the presentations on the night, the Student Virtual Lighting Design Award sponsored by AC Entertainment Technologi

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10 June 2025

South Africa - Cape Town’s long-established venue, Artscape Theatre has invested in four Robert Juliat Arthur 800W LED followspots and three Robert Juliat Oz 600W LED followspots, supplied by Robert Juliat’s exclusive distributor for South Africa, DWR Distribution.

The decision to invest in Robert Juliat was made jointly by Johnny Scholtz of DWR’s Cape Town branch, working in close conjunction with Artscape Theatre’s head of lighting, Faheem Bardien.

“Artscape’s in-house technical facilities are designed to cater to a diverse range of artistic genres, including opera, ballet, drama, contemporary dance, musical theatre, corporate seminars, and pop or rock shows,” explains Bardien, “all of which must be carefully considered when procuring lighting fixtures and other technical support systems.

“It’s paramount that Artscape’

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10 June 2025

UK - A new car park facility in Cardiff is making a dramatic impact as night falls, thanks to an illuminated façade controlled by Pharos Architectural Controls.

As a key part of the vibrant Central Quay development in Cardiff, the eight-story car park is immediately notable for its sleek and contemporary design. The facility boasts an enviable location, next to the central station.

A concept was created to illuminate the façade of the new facility, adding to the site’s appeal and making it visually striking during darker hours. The contractor for the project, Goldbeck Construction, partnered with lLED lighting solutions provider, LITE, to specify and supply the technology to fulfil the design. The lighting needed to be fully programmable and colour controllable, so LITE turned to lighting controls specialists Pharos Architectural Controls, specif

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10 June 2025

Japan - ON, an international provider of AV solutions with operational hubs in Brazil and Portugal, was entrusted with the full AV integration and daily operation of the Portugal Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, a standout cultural and technological space, which has already welcomed over 500,000 visitors.

The Pavilion, designed by internationally acclaimed architect Kengo Kuma, explores the theme The Ocean: The Blue Dialogue through immersive storytelling, interactive installations, and large-scale projections.

ON was contracted by Rimond SRL, the general contractor for the project, to deliver the complete AVL infrastructure for the Portugal Pavilion - covering everything from equipment acquisition and system design to installation, integration, and daily operation throughout the six-month event. Their scope included projection systems (walls, f

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10 June 2025

UK – Elation’s Paragon LED profile moving head has been awarded Lighting Product of the Year at the ABTT Theatre Show.

The Association of British Theatre Technicians’ (ABTT) Annual Awards took place on last week at Alexandra Palace, following the first day of the ABTT Show. Accepting the award on behalf of Elation was business development manager Graham Hill, who shared:

“We’re absolutely delighted to receive this recognition from the ABTT. Paragon was designed for work in virtually any application, also the creative and technical demands of theatre professionals. This award is a real testament to the incredible work of our team, the years of R&D behind this series, and the valuable input of our design partners who helped shape what Paragon has become.”

An experienced jury of working theatre practitioners and industry peers co

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10 June 2025

On Broadway - UK-originated productions and creatives received 13 prizes at this year’s Tony Awards. Stranger Things: The First Shadow, which premiered in London in December 2023, was this year’s biggest winner at a ceremony held in New York’s Radio City Music Hall. It won awards including best sound design and a special award for its illusions and technical effects team, with Miriam Buether taking home the prize for best scenic design of a play for the show.

Sunset Boulevard, directed by Jamie Lloyd, picked up three prizes, including best revival of a musical and a best actress gong for Nicole Scherzinger, while performer Jak Malone took home best featured actor in a musical for Operation Mincemeat.

SOLT and UK Theatre co-chief executive, Claire Walker said: "This year’s Tony Awards have been a brilliant showc

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09 June 2025

UK - PLASA Show 2025 is now open for free registrations. This September, the UK's market-leading trade event for live entertainment technology will set the stage for breakthrough products, big ideas, and invaluable industry connections. Celebrate entertainment technology and the people behind it at PLASA Show, returning to its home at Olympia, London from 7–9 September 2025.

Drawing 7,500+ professionals from across the global industry, the show offers unrivalled access to 250+ leading brands, an expert-led seminar programme, and hands-on experiences with next-generation technology.

Headline sponsored by Robe, PLASA Show 2025 features an expanded show floor filled with world-class manufacturers, distributors and service providers. Attendees can explore the latest tools and technologies for lighting, audio, AV, staging and rigging – all under one r

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09 June 2025

Mexico - Mexican band Matute is playing dates in Mexico and the US with their Disco Stereo Tour, which takes fans on a journey through ‘the most iconic LPs of the 1970s, ’80s, and ’90s’. Claypaky Tamboras, Sharpy X Frames and Midi-B FX fixtures light up the stage as Matute ‘blends the analogue charm of vinyl with immersive visuals and a setlist packed with dance floor classics’.

The group has established a loyal fanbase over nearly two decades, especially among Latin American and US audiences who crave their live shows that mix Spanish- and English-language hits from some of the most influential artists of the disco era. The new tour will highlight the influence of past decades on modern music, creating a concert that feels fresh yet has elements of nostalgia.

Matute’s Jorge D'Alessio helms the creative production of the tour.

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09 June 2025

The Netherlands - A dynamic package of Robe moving lights has been installed at the busy P3 popodium music venue in Purmerend, a city and municipality in the province of North Holland in the west Netherlands.

The recent upgrade, originally planned before the pandemic and delivered once the restrictions started being lifted, comprised 14 x Esprites, eight Paintes, 16 x LEDBeam 350s, eight LEDBeam 150s and four T1 Profiles.

P3 has two music halls – of 850 and 350 capacity – and a theatre space that accommodates 130. The venue opened on April Fool’s Day 2006, and the now head of technical and production, Ferry Veenman has worked there for 17 years, the first six as a bartender, and one of the regular lighting technicians, Edo van Randen, has clocked up 18 years. In that time, they have seen a constant stream of great shows and superlative music.

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09 June 2025

France - Etienne de Crécy, the Lyon-born electronic music maestro has blazed new paths by giving his sounds the space (in both the literal and figurative sense), to flourish. This is evident in his current tour, which celebrates 30 years of his pioneering work, not only in his musical performance itself, but also in the supportive stage production design by Pierre Claude.

“I love minimalism and I try as much as I can to leave as much space as possible for artists and their music,” said Claude. “For me, that’s what the audience primarily expects at a concert. Etienne de Crécy wanted to take this even further; he wanted a track to be immediately identifiable by a colour, so that on social media, people would know which track is which, just by seeing a photo. He also uses this approach for his album covers, which are very minimalist and instantly reco

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09 June 2025

UK - IPS (Impact Production Services) has announced the launch of its new website (www.ips.co.uk), marking the next major step in its ongoing work to enhance customer experience and improve operational efficiency. The launch follows the recent opening of IPS’s new warehouse in Milton Keynes, a major physical upgrade now mirrored by this significant digital development.

The new website represents a substantial improvement on the long serving platform that supported IPS through many years of growth. As user needs have evolved and the scale of operations expanded, the redesign was driven by the goal of creating a modern, intuitive, and transparent digital experience that better reflects IPS’s service-led approach.

Built with functionality and accessibility at its core, the refreshed site features a fully mobile responsive interface, enhanced ai powe

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09 June 2025

USA - Global design and BIM software provider Vectorworks, part of the Nemetschek Group, has announced the availability of its AI Assistant (Preview), an innovative new tool designed to give users instant and accurate answers to their Vectorworks-related questions.

As a preview feature in the release of Vectorworks 2025 Update 5, the AI Assistant (Preview) marks the first phase of integrating AI learning technology into Vectorworks software, with the long-term goal of providing more intelligent, personalised, and time-saving solutions to designers.

Available through the Help menu and the Vectorworks Home Screen, the built-in AI assistant is designed to give customers quick, context-aware answers to their questions, allowing them to stay focused on their creative work. Whether users need to learn new features or simply seek guidance, the AI Assistant

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06 June 2025

USA - The 60th edition of the Academy of Country Music Awards saw a return to the Ford Centre at The Star in Frisco, Texas – hosted by country legend Reba McEntire for the 18th time.

Co-lighting designers Michael Berger and Travis Hagenbuch both have a long association with the event, starting out as interns many years ago. “It’s been a nice full-circle experience working with Travis in this capacity since he really took me in during that first year,” credits Berger.

This year a vast armoury of over 160 GLP fixtures illuminated artist performances (with a nod back to highlights of the last 60 years). Leading the charge were 73 JDC Lines (500s and 1000s), which edged the band risers, the award presentation stage and other areas.

The latest generation of the popular hybrid strobe – the JDC2 IP – also made a high-profile app

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06 June 2025

USA/Europe - Elation has announced the launch of its new OPS Series (Outdoor Permanent Specification), a durable, long-lasting solution for permanent outdoor installations.

The OPS series enhances some of Elation’s most popular IP65/66-rated lighting fixtures, providing a ruggedized version designed specifically for demanding environments such as theme parks, cruise ships and other marine environments, museums, experiential installations, and more. Built for long-lasting performance in harsh conditions, the OPS Series ensures consistent, reliable use in both indoor and outdoor settings.

The OPS Series incorporates more durable, robust materials, including corrosion-resistant components and protective finishes, to create a hardened version of the fixtures. With this rugged specification, Elation offers an even more reliable solution for projects on

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06 June 2025

The Netherlands – PPDS has announced the appointment of AV/IT specialist Marco van der Knaap as its new global product manager of Philips LED displays.

With a 25-year career dedicated almost exclusively to LED, Marco will support the team in navigating the marketplace, continuing to position the expanding Philips direct view LED displays range in line with PPDS’ global strategy and growth ambitions. He is based in Amsterdam and reports to Jeroen Brants, global product director for LED at PPDS.

Marco comments: “I am thrilled to join PPDS and to take on the responsibility of growing the Philips LED business. With Philips' strong brand presence and the support of an exceptional team, I see tremendous potential to deliver ever more innovative solutions that exceed customer expectations worldwide. PPDS shares an unparalleled commitment to bringing i

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05 June 2025

Australia - The new National Communication Museum (NCM) recently opened its doors in Melbourne, showcasing a series of dynamic displays with a system by Pharos Architectural Controls to connect audiences with the artefacts, stories and technologies that played a fundamental part in the history of communication.

The museum has been transformed by award-winning architects, Carr, from a 1930s telephone exchange building on the grounds of the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people in Hawthorn, into an interactive exhibition with two floors of immersive displays.

The exhibition explores how technology shapes us, showcasing integral technologies from the past alongside the cutting-edge advancements that will connect us in the future. Offering hands-on experiences and nostalgic artefacts for all ages, NCM provides a fascinating and welcoming space to explore the lan

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04 June 2025

Switzerland - An array of Claypaky lighting fixtures, including Volero Cubes, Arolla Aqua LT, Arolla Aqua, Sharpy X Frames and HY B-EYE K25s, was chosen by lighting designer Tim Routledge to illuminate the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 (ESC) held at the St. Jakobshalle arena in Basel.

Participants from 37 countries competed with the contest viewed by an estimated 170m people worldwide.

No stranger to ESC, Routledge won a coveted BAFTA Television Craft Award last year for his work on the ESC 2023 telecast from Liverpool. He also won the Royal Television Society Award for Multi-Camera Lighting for that show. 

This year, the theme of ESC was Unity Shapes Love, with variably coloured miniatures of the Eurovision heart symbolising the unity of millions of people celebrating the contest.

Production designer Floria

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04 June 2025

USA - A very well-known figure in the entertainment lighting industry, Brad Schiller has joined GLP to lead the new Lighting Technology Engagement Team, based out of the company’s Americas headquarters in Los Angeles, California.

In a decades-spanning career, Schiller has been at the forefront of many lighting innovations that have made their way into the mainstream from his work with manufacturers, while also being the author of multiple industry articles and books, including The Automated Lighting Programmer’s Handbook and Living the Lighting Life. He has also been a featured speaker, most recently at the Showlight Quadrennial in Dijon, France.

Speaking of the new hire, GLP director Mark Ravenhill says: “I couldn’t be happier that Brad has decided to join GLP. He is an industry legend with a stature, reputation an

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03 June 2025

France - Showlight 2025 made a triumphant return in May, revived and rejuvenated after an eight-year break, visiting the historic city of Dijon - appropriately for Showlight, one of France’s centres of art and gastronomy.

Hailed as the largest and most international Showlight to date, Showlight 2025 marked a welcome, and long-overdue, chance to converge once again and dedicate three whole days to talking about light.

“I sensed an enormous feeling of joy and relief that Showlight was not just back, but had if anything moved on. I am sure it was the most international Showlight I have experienced!” Bernie Davis, papers committee and technical manager.

The event exhibited a greater international presence with participants coming from all over the world, not just Europe but as far afield as America, Brazil and Aus

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03 June 2025

Europe - MDG has announced the appointment of menzi ebz as its new, exclusive distributor for Switzerland and Liechtenstein. The appointment takes place with immediate effect.

menzi ebz is a company with a long pedigree, its origins stretching back to 1943 with the founding of Walter Eichenberger Theatre Lighting, and the creation in 1999 of MBelectronics by Marco Menzi, later to become Menzi Eventtechnik. The merger of these two companies in 2010 saw the advent of menzi ebz ag under the management of Marco Menzi and Andreas Stahl. Since 2024, menzi ebz ag has made the strategic step to focus exclusively on the sale of lighting, lighting control systems and rigging across the theatre, television event technology service provider and scenic architecture markets.

“This reorientation is a big step for the company and a good time to modernise,” says