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14 February 2025

Saudi Arabia - Set to become the world’s tallest building, at a height of over 1k, construction of the Jeddah Tower (formerly known as the Kingdom Tower) in Saudi Arabia recommenced recently following a six-year hiatus.

To celebrate, the portion of the structure that had already been completed (approximately one third of the planned height) was illuminated for three weeks last September, which also coincided with the 94th Saudi National Day. Creating a true spectacular, the building was adorned with 60 ADJ Hydro Beam X12 moving head fixtures, which were used to fill the night sky with piercing aerial effects that could be seen from a distance of 5k.

Located to the north of Jeddah, the new tower is planned as the centrepiece of the Jeddah Economic City project, a substantial development of both commercial and residential real estate. The vision of S

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14 February 2025

UK - Lighting designer Andy Webb specified Robe moving lights to be at the heart of his lighting designs for two high-profile pantomime shows, The Further Adventures of Peter Pan staged at the Waterside Theatre in Aylesbury and Sleeping Beauty at the Festival Theatre in Malvern – two of 11 pantos presented this season by UK Productions.

As the proliferation of mad characters, slapstick comedy, innuendo and humour flowed, so did the illumination, together – literally – with some cast members in Aylesbury, as the action and fun drew heavily on a series of spectacular flying gags – both onstage behind a drop-down projection screen, and out into the audience.

At Aylesbury, the infrastructure needed to make this happen meant a few production compromises, and the lighting department lost several ‘standard’ positions in this 1,

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14 February 2025

Germany - The Adam Hall Group has successfully completed its Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS) verification. In doing so, the global event technology manufacturer, which is headquartered in Neu-Anspach, Hesse, is making its commitment to sustainable business measurable and transparent. This verification requires the company to disclose environmentally relevant activities and data and to go above and beyond the requirements mandated by environmental law.

Following nearly a year of the internal working group, spearheaded by CEO Alexander Pietschmann, working hard and planning, the Adam Hall Group has been officially certified in accordance with EMAS since autumn 2024. Thanks to this verification, the Group is now a crucial step closer to its major corporate goal: the development of a well-founded sustainability strategy for the Adam Hall Group.

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14 February 2025

Spain - Claypaky participated in ISE with a strong presence of its technical and commercial team. The Italian company premiered two moving head lighting fixtures from the Arolla Aqua Series.

The Claypaky Arolla Aqua LT is a LED moving head that combines brightness, pinpoint precision, and advanced control in a robust, weather-resistant IP66 design. Equipped with a custom 900W white LED light source, Arolla Aqua LT delivers over 40,000 lumens. This consistent and unwavering output rivals high-power-range lights and the size can compete with medium-power fixtures, offering versatility for diverse lighting needs.

The Claypaky Arolla Aqua Wash HC is a highly adaptable LED single-lens wash light, offering outstanding colour precision alongside advanced features. Built for high performance, it provides a smooth, even beam of light suitable for lighting exp

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14 February 2025

Spain - Schnick-Schnack-Systems is catching its breath after a successful exhibition at Integrated Systems Europe.

The company enjoyed steady traffic and was recognised by Exhibitor magazine as a Best Stand Design Finalist. In response to the healthy attendance, Schnick Schnack secured a 50% larger booth for ISE 2026.

Schnick-Schnack-Systems used ISE to debut its newest product, the LED Strip C12-500, which allows users to cut the strip to exact measurements, thus achieving a perfect fit. In addition to tailor-made fitting, its colour quality, precision dimming and flicker-free performance are making the LED Strip C12-500 a much-welcomed solution to many users.

“Visitors were quick to embrace the LED Strip C12-500,” says Solveig Busler, member of the management board at Schnick-Schnack-Systems. “ISE is quickly becoming one of o

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14 February 2025

Europe - Prolights has announced the launch of the Smart BatPlusNeo, the latest innovation in the battery uplighting product category. Building on the success of the SmartBat Plus series, this next-generation fixture brings advancements in brightness, design, and versatility to redefine event lighting. It is aimed at the dry hire, rental, hotels, hospitality, and catering sectors. Combining the original SmartBat DNA with state-of-the-art technologies, this new release raises the bar, offering lighting professionals a robust, reliable, and performance-driven solution at an affordable price.

Powered by seven RGB+WW emitters, the Smart BatPlusNeo delivers up to 3,000 lumens, doubling the brightness of its predecessor during a three-hour runtime. Even at equal runtime at full, it offers a 20% output boost while achieving a 60% improvement in primary and mixed co

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13 February 2025

UK - As part of an ambitious renovation project to improve the aesthetics and safety at Norwich’s Church of St. Peter Mancroft, a suite of solutions from lighting controls specialist Pharos Architectural Controls has been installed within the historic site to enhance worship and improve its eco credentials.

The Church of St. Peter Mancroft has stood proud in the heart of Norwich for nearly 600 years. As an important heritage site, the church’s lighting needed an upgrade to highlight its architecture, while supporting the multiple uses of the building. To achieve the client’s brief and make the necessary enhancements to the Grade 1 listed medieval building required a high level of sensitivity.

Lighting designers Enlightened were appointed to create a new lighting scheme for the church. The lighting scheme requirements were two-fold: to create be

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13 February 2025

UAE - Creative Technology Middle East (CTME) has invested significantly in Elation lighting, adding to a growing inventory of Elation gear to meet the increasing demand in the Middle East for flexible solutions that can quickly adapt to indoor and outdoor use.

Creative Technology has increasingly turned to Elation lighting solutions in the last few years, with the latest purchase adding to a 2023 investment in Proteus Excalibur moving head beam lights and KL Panel XL IP softlights. It has added more of each model to its inventory along with KL PAR FC IP, Pulse Panel FX, and KL Panel fixtures.

CTME and Venuetech LLC, Elation’s exclusive distributor in the region, have cultivated a robust and long-standing partnership that has played a pivotal role in CTME’s investment. “We continue to partner with them due to their consistent innovation, reliabi

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13 February 2025

UK - Pixel Artworks, an immersive experience studio, has launched The Lighthouse, a mixed-reality showroom located in the heart of Clerkenwell, Farringdon. This space brings together physical and virtual experiences, showcasing the agency’s innovative technology and creative expertise.

The Lighthouse serves as a dynamic platform for Pixel Artworks’ technology, including augmented reality (AR), mixed reality (MR), and holographic displays. The showroom features various bespoke spaces, offering brands a first-hand look at immersive technology in action. The space is designed to inspire businesses by demonstrating the possibilities of immersive experiences and how they can address real-world challenges.

The project’s main contractor Thirdway appointed market-leading manufacturer Light Forms to provide the solutions for the project as a lighting sp

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13 February 2025

France - In Provence, where verdant cypresses and Aleppo pines line the azure landscape, an illuminated tree designed by Synapse Audiovisuel has been installed.

Measuring 5.6m high and pixel mapped with Resolume, this tree is located in the 809 Social Club, a spot for tourists and locals alike in the heart of downtown La Garde. It sprouts from the centre and extends on to the ceiling and on the wall in irregular patterns.

“The club was completely renovated and needed a new concept," said Ludovic Lozano, technical sales engineer for Synapse Audiovisuel. "Our client asked for something unique, but not overwhelming – something universal that could speak to everyone and not a particular theme."

Responding to this request on the part of their client, the Synapse team came up with the concept of the tree. "The idea came naturally when we starte

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13 February 2025

UK - The Workshop Theatre at the National Youth Theatre (NYT) on Holloway Road in North London will hold a celebration of Brian Croft's life on 8 April 2025. The event, intended for all friends, family and colleagues who wish to pay their respects and remember the immense contribution that Croft made to so many in the events industry, will begin promptly at 5pm, with doors opening at 4.30pm.

A statement from the event’s organisers reads: “From the early days at school, his formal training in stage management at the Bristol Old Vic theatre school, the birth of the NYT, opening the new ICA gallery in the Mall, performing liquid light shows and taking his entire family on tour with the Rolling Stones during the pioneering ESP Lighting era, Brian left an indelible and lingering presence everywhere he went, not just in the UK, but through Europe, rolling out

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12 February 2025

USA - On Sunday, 9 February, High End Systems Zeo fixtures lit up the much-anticipated Halftime Show in New Orleans. Among the crew who put on the show were lighting designer Al Gurdon, lighting director Ben Green of 22 Degrees, gaffer Alen Sisul, moving light programmer and lighting designer Mark Humphrey of TruCreative Design, and moving light programmer and lighting director Eric Marchwinski of Earlybird Visual. The lighting package was supplied by PRG.

“We had a very clear aesthetic approach to this year’s halftime show, which was very much aligned with the wishes of the artist’s camp,” says Gurdon. “This was to always aim for contrast and lighting angles different from those of conventional television lighting. We wanted to prioritise drama over ‘beauty light’. It needed to feel monolithic and synchronised to the heavy beats, with

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12 February 2025

UK - The popular Christmas light trails create an almost magical and magnetic visitor experience. This winter, they have provided an opportunity for GLP’s Creos washlight to make its debut at two National Trust country estates – Wimpole Hall in Cambridgeshire and Stourhead House, a Palladian style villa in Wiltshire.

Both form part of a large portfolio of outdoor events for Culture Creative, who specialises in delivering light art experiences – everything from fire gardens to Halloween events and outdoor visitor experiences. These two trails, covering around 2km each, were produced in partnership with promoters Sony Music.

Culture Creative’s head of lighting (and senior designer), Tony Simpson, used five Creos at Stourhead while accomplished freelance LD, Adam King, took a different approach at Wimpole where four were deployed as eye candy on

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12 February 2025

Spain - This year’s ISE in Barcelona was particularly exciting for Highlite, as the company introduced several products for the first time, including the new Infinity Furion moving heads, the powerful DAP TA amplifiers, and the versatile Showtec IP Pixelstrip products. Additionally, their new stand design not only captivated visitors, but also won the new sustainability award for large stands.

One of the show highlights was the latest Infinity Furion Series, a collection of IP65-rated, high-performance moving heads. The lineup includes eight models across Spot, Profile, Beam, Hybrid, and WashBeam categories, all designed for precision, durability, and versatility. Features include high lumen output, 16-bit motor control for ultra-smooth movement, CMY/CTO colour mixing, extensive gobo and prism options, and cutting-edge framing systems in the Profile models

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12 February 2025

USA/Europe - The new Mirage Par H IP from ADJ is designed for a wide range of indoor and outdoor lighting applications. It combines potent, lime-infused colour mixing LEDs, with a powerful rechargeable battery and Aria X2 wireless connectivity in a robust and flexible IP-rated enclosure. Whether used to illuminate a stage, décor, foliage or a dancefloor – inside or out – this compact fixture can transform the ambiance of any event with ease.

Harnessing the power of five 20W RGBAL+UV colour mixing LEDs, the Mirage Par H IP outputs a wide spectrum of vibrant colours. Its UV chip allows for the creation of a blacklight effect, and its lime chip delivers an enhanced colour palate as well as increased visual clarity (high CRI). The fixture offers white light output with colour temperature variable between 2,700 and 9,900K and has a concise beam angle of 17°

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11 February 2025

UK - Oliver! has made a triumphant return to the West End at the Gielgud Theatre. With Simon Lipkin as Fagin, Shanay Holmes as Nancy, and Aaron Sidwell as Bill Sikes, this latest revival brings Charles Dickens’ tale of young Oliver Twist to life once more.

Cameron Mackintosh’s new production, directed and choreographed by Matthew Bourne, with co-direction by Jean-Pierre van der Spuy, showcases a lighting design by multi-award-winning Paule Constable and Ben Jacobs. To realise their creative vision, they turned to White Light – a d&b solutions company – to supply the show’s lighting rig.

Since its original West End premiere in 1960, Oliver! has seen numerous revivals, yet each iteration brings a fresh perspective. Paule Constable, having previously lit the 2009 Theatre Royal Drury Lane production, relished the opportuni

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11 February 2025

UK - IPS (Impact Production Services), supplier of staging and structures, technical production, and equipment hire to the events industry, is proud to announce a major milestone in its growth and development: the opening of a new, state-of-the-art, purpose-built warehouse in Milton Keynes this April. This expansion represents a pivotal chapter for IPS as the company continues to build on its steady growth since the pandemic, strengthening its capacity to deliver efficient, sustainable, and innovative services to clients.

Since its inception, IPS has experienced remarkable growth, doubling in size with each move to larger facilities. This latest expansion, located just a mile from the current site, is no exception. The impressive 6.5-acre site features newly constructed buildings purposefully designed to meet modern standards, with significantly upgraded inf

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11 February 2025

Japan - Creative studio FragmentNine (F9), led by Jeremy Lechterman, was asked by creative director/production designer Jason Ardizzone-West of JAW Studio to collaborate on the lighting elements of an impressive production design for J-pop singer/songwriter Hikaru Utada’s 2024 tour. The artist returned to live performance after a six-year hiatus for an extensive tour of Japan and Asia, supporting a new album project, Science Fiction.

The lighting design included large amounts of Robe fixtures including 81 x Esprites, 72 x MegaPointes, 26 x TetraXs and three Robe BMFL Wash Beam EVs running on a three-way RoboSpot system, all supplied in Japan by lighting vendor Kyoritz.

Jason’s initial discussions with the artist started a year prior to the tour. "We talked about wormholes, portals, Kubrick's monoliths, Emma McEvoy's sand dune photographs

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11 February 2025

Europe - Following an award-winning debut at LDI in Las Vegas this past December, Elation’s new Paragon LED profile moving heads are now shipping worldwide.

Paragon was recognised with LDI’s Best Debuting Product Award. The fixture is the result of years of development and feedback from designers demanding a lighting solution that could adapt to any environment without compromise.

"We listened to lighting designers who wanted more flexibility, greater output, and a streamlined system that could do it all,” said Eric Loader, global vice president of sales at Elation. “From concept to execution, we refined every detail - ensuring Paragon isn’t just another moving head, but a true workhorse that raises the bar for lighting technology.”

Since its debut, Paragon has already been specified for major concert tours, broadcast studios, and

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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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10 February 2025

USA - The official announcement for Apocalyptica’s just launched North American tour refers to them as ‘cello rockers’.

The three classically trained musicians from Helsinki's prestigious Sibelius Academy fuse two different worlds, playing metal rock (often covers of Metallica hits) on their cellos with ‘an unbridled ferocity that ranks with the best bone crushing bands of the genre’.

Among Apocalyptica's admirers is renowned lighting designer Mikki Kunttu, who has worked with them on a few occasions since 2007. "I love the band, and it is always so great to work with them," said Kunttu. "I have the highest appreciation for what they do – and for who they are."

Kunttu is showing this appreciation in stunning fashion with his lighting design for Apocalyptica's current APMB4C Vol 2. tour, which began its 24-city North American leg 6

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10 February 2025

Europe - Prolights has announced the release of the Astra Profile900, a moving head designed to address the needs of lighting professionals in live productions, studios, theatres, and events. Combining brightness, adaptability, and advanced motion technology, the Astra Profile900 represents a key addition to the company's range of professional lighting solutions.

The Astra Profile900 is available in two configurations to meet specific application requirements. The High Performance (HP) model delivers up to 43,000 lumens, suited for large-scale productions and events that demand high brightness levels. The high-quality (HQ) model, with a CRI of up to 96, is optimised for applications requiring precise colour rendering, including television studios and other on-camera environments.

With a 185mm front lens and a 5°-52° linear zoom, the Astra Profile90

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07 February 2025

South Africa - Truth Nightclub in Midrand Johannesburg, recently celebrated its official reopening with a new lighting setup from Elation. The Production Warehouse, Elation’s exclusive partner in South Africa, collaborated closely with the venue to select the equipment for the upgrade.

The installation was completed under a tight schedule, just in time for the pre-launch of the revamped The Terrace dance floor. The new lighting rig was crucial for the club’s 25 Years of Truth anniversary event featuring Township Rebellion on 30 November and the New Year's Eve 2025 celebration with Pleasurekraft.

Truth, known as the Home of the Underground, is a regional landmark and one of South Africa’s best-known nightclubs. With five dance floors, it has hosted artists like Paul Van Dyk and Richie Hawtin, among many others.

The Terr

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07 February 2025

Singapore - Claypaky Sharpy X Frame hybrid luminaires illuminated the inaugural 2024 World Taekwondo Virtual Championships in Singapore where more than 120 athletes from 23 countries participated in the first-ever event of its kind.  

The competition took place at the Singapore Sports Hub OCBC Arena. The event marked the return of the sport to Singapore after the city successfully hosted the first Olympic Esports Week in June 2023, where Virtual Taekwondo made its debut.  Virtual Taekwondo uses a motion tracking system and virtual reality headset in matches of non-contact sparring.

Lighting designer Michael Chan of Singapore-based Lighting Insomnia selected 36 Sharpy X Frames for the landmark event. Chan has worked on a wide range of arts, entertainment and installation projects. His experience ranges from consulting on installations and major even