UK - Technical production specialist equip event services co-ordinated all the technical elements - lighting, audio and staging - for The House & Garage Orchestra’s (THGO) recent sold-out gig at Shepherd’s Bush Empire. The ensemble, founded in 2015, has ignited an appetite for their energetic reimagining of some of the UK’s biggest house and garage hits. When production manager Kevin Jianoran joined in November 2018, they were an eight-piece with guest vocalists and just him on the crew as the touring sound engineer. Since then it’s quickly upscaled to become a 20-piece orchestra, complete with brass and string sections, 14 guest vocalists and a technical crew of eight. equip, based in Brixton, London, were approached by Kevin, who is also the band’s monitor engineer, to work on their tour last November, which was a big success. He then returned to
Europe - Last autumn, production designer Owen Pritchard-Smith (of Spirit Design) joined up with fast-emerging Irish singer-songwriter Dermot Kennedy for a European tour, having previously worked with the artist’s management on other projects. Though he was largely playing through house rigs on that initial tour, a UK stint quickly followed, enabling him to carry a basic floor package comprising four GLP X4 Bar 20 battens and four JDC1 hybrid strobes. “I had never used either before, but was interested in trying them, and the flexibility of the JDC1 - essentially two fixtures in one - was perfect for a small package,” he says. So far this year Kennedy has undertaken tours of the US and Canada as well as further dates in Europe and the UK - and the floor package has expanded accordingly, although it is still based around Owen’s favoured X4 Bar 20 and JDC1. “I
USA - City Theatrical’s Multiverse wireless DMX/RDM technology is currently being used to provide DMX data at eight-time Tony Award winning Broadway show Hadestown. Selected for its ability to communicate DMX data wirelessly in the 900MHz band at a distance of up to 300ft indoors, Multiverse Transmitters, in combination with Multiverse Nodes operating on a SHoW DMX Neo SHoW ID, broadcast DMX data to QolorFLEX Dimmers that provide dimming control for battery powered headlamps used for the show’s daily performances, as well as in the company’s 2019 Tony Awards performance at Radio City Music Hall. “Getting set up with Multiverse wireless DMX was unbelievably good,” says Justin Freeman, production electrician for Hadestown. “Communication with City Theatrical never stopped. If things changed, Multiverse changed with us. It has been very successful for our sh
USA - ADJ has introduced three single LED wash fixtures to its Encore Burst series. All new models feature IP-rated casing and flexible multi-purpose bracket, but come with LED engines of different intensities. The Encore Burst 100 IP has a 125W warm white CREE C.O.B LED and a 50° beam angle, making it ideal for use as an audience blinder or general wash fixture. The unit has a colour temperature of 2700K and also offers a dim-to-warm feature that authentically replicates the dimming profile of a traditional halogen lamp light source by introducing a 1200K (amber) low intensity LED element at lower dimmer settings. In addition, the model offers variable speed strobe and pulse effects which add to the flexibility of this professional lighting fixture. Also designed for use as a wash or audience blinder / strobe effect light, the Encore Burst RGBW IP offers RGBW c
UK - A Zero 88 lighting control solution - including FLX S48 lighting console and Bypass dimmer / switchpacks - has been supplied to St Andrew’s School in Woking, Surrey, UK, by rental, sales and installations specialist Henley Theatre Services (HTS). The school, founded in 1937, is a respected co-educational prep school for around 300 children aged 3 to 13. As part of a commitment to deliver a stimulating and vibrant educational and developmental environment for its pupils, last year St Andrew’s invested in a new, 230-capacity purpose-built theatre - the Little Field Theatre - and rehearsal space in its 11-acre grounds. The venue’s technical specification - including the Zero 88 elements - was delivered by consultants Theatre tech who designed the production lighting, sound and comms systems. A tender issued for the equipment supply was won by HTS who liaised c
USA - Vari-Lite and Strand, part of Signify, are meeting the demand for state-of-the-art technology at the new $88m Kinder High School for the Performing and Visual Arts (HSPVA) in Houston, Texas. The flagship education and arts facility benefits from over 600 lighting fixtures as well as control and networking technology from the two lighting equipment brands. Designed by Gensler Architects, the HSPVA features an 800-seat main theatre, plus a Black Box theatre, a mini theatre, recital hall, dance studios and recording studio. In addition to its educational programme, it will also play a lead role in the cultural life of Houston’s thriving downtown arts district. “This is not your typical high school space,” says Chris Purpura, who led the project on behalf of theatre consultancy WJHW Inc. “This is a state-of-the-art performing arts facility with many different
Europe - Eros Ramazzotti embarked on his Vita ce n'è world tour 2019 in February this year. Included in the lighting design were 63 of GLP’s JDC1 hybrid strobes and 54 impression X4 Bar 20s, supplied by rental company Agorà. The lighting concept was realised by Jamie Thompson of UK company, Mirrad. He explains: “The JDC1 helped us create a back wall that would be an extension of the video screen. It is incredibly bright and was perfect for this purpose.” The X4 Bars were also essential to outline the shape of the stage. “They created a perfect effect picture,” says Thompson. “The X4 Bars are very versatile,a great product." Jamie Thompson has been using GLP products for many years now, and they have always given him great satisfaction. "I will continue to use them for sure,” he declares. "The X4 Bar 20 has become a standard, a must-have pro
Slovakia - Designed, directed and choreographed by Ján Ďurovčík and the Slovak Dance Theatre, the 2019 edition of the World Ice Hockey championships was held at the Košice Steel Arena in Slovakia. The event not only saw the Finns rise to victory, but also featured the Prolights Stark doing what it does best. Lighting suppliers and installers for the project, SRS light design, had recently purchased 24 Prolights Stark1000CC fixtures, using 16 to cover all corners of the ice for the opening ceremony. The lighting for the show was designed and programmed by Lukáš Hirčák, who comments: "I was surprised by the light output and the extensive zoom in the Prolights Stark. The equipment worked flawlessly throughout the championship and covered the ice with very balanced brightness and excellent colour mixing." When asked about their purchase Robo Sloboda from SRS
USA - Following the success of Robbie Williams’ first US residency in March, the singer returned to Las Vegas for another sold-out run this summer. In all performances, High End Systems’ Hog lighting consoles were networked for the lighting, lasers and media servers’ video content. To make a splash in the American market, Williams put together his Live in Las Vegas set list at the Wynn’s Encore Theatre to include more well-known Rat Pack standards, with fewer of his own UK hits. LD Sean Burke not only designed the production and the lighting, but also programmed and served as lighting director. Barry Lather worked with him as the show director and set co-designer. “The design came from Barry,” Burke notes. “He had this vision of a ‘swing’ show with dancers, props and so on. The band is pretty big for this small stage, so trying to fit it
World - MA Lighting has continued to follow its strategy against product piracy at recent tradeshows around the globe. The German lighting console manufacturer carried out similar action in 2018, when it joined forces with Avolites to block infringing companies from exhibiting counterfeit products. “Copying our products is a crime and will be punished with all legal consequences,” MA has warned in a statement. The manufacturer recently took action at Prolight+Sound Guangzhou, GET Show, Sound Check Exhibition and Palm Expo India, where counterfeit consoles were removed from the showfloors, while offending stands were shut by officials. At Prolight+Sound Guangzhou, MA Lighting was supported by show organisers who cooperated with the removal
USA - It has been an action-packed summer for Bandit Lites with tours and festivals rolling out at a breakneck speed. To keep up with the demand, Bandit has added further GLP fixtures to its touring inventory including JDC1 Strobes, KNV Cubes and X4 Bar 20s. The X4 Bar 20 is out a large number of Bandit tours in including Garth Brooks with Dave Butzler, Widespread Panic with Paul Hoffman, Jason Aldean with Nick Whitehouse and most recently on Robb Jibson’s design for Chevelle. The award-winning JDC1 Strobes can be seen on several Bandit systems, including Nick Whitehouse’s rig for Carrie Underwood’s Cry Pretty 360 Tour along, John Lucksinger’s design for ZZ Top’s 50th anniversary tour and Chris Lisle’s Chris Young design. “When I saw the preview of the JDC1 a few years ago at LDI I knew it would be a hit,” says Jake Tickle, Bandit Lites directo
The Netherlands - One hundred and forty Robe T1 Profile LED moving lights were specified by the Dutch National Opera and Ballet’s lighting department for three performances of Aus Licht directed by Pierre Audi and staged in the Gashouder venue in Amsterdam as part of the 2019 Holland Festival. The epic performances each took place over three consecutive days delighting Karlheinz Stockhausen aficionados and opera buffs with a total of 15 hours of music per show, featuring selections from the iconic composer’s seven opera Licht cycle which takes place over seven days of the week. Aus Licht was a collaboration between the Dutch National Opera, Holland Festival, Royal Conservatoire of The Hague and the Stockhausen Foundation, created in cooperation with the wardens of Stockhausen’s legacy. The music from LICHT was presented in a mis-en-space by P
UK - Rental and support company Illuminate Lighting has become one of the first in the UK to take delivery of the new LumiNode from Luminex, supplied by exclusive UK distributor A.C. Entertainment Technologies (AC-ET). Jonathan Pask, Illuminate Lighting’s managing director, comments: “I chose to invest in the new LumiNodes because they are the latest generation from Luminex which build on the features and reliability of the previous generation. I have every faith that the new features in the LumiNodes will become invaluable on our future projects.” Within days of the LumiNodes arriving at Illuminate Lighting, they were sent straight out as part of a control system for a high-profile event. Jonathan’s experience with Luminex gave him confidence that the brand new LumiNodes would perform without a worry. Jonathan continues: “We use Luminex products as the
UK - ETC has appointed multi-disciplinary controls systems and lighting design firm 3LR Lighting as a representative organisation in the UK. The company will act as an ‘additional resource’ to ETC’s dealer network, with the aim to promote ETC’s architectural products, which include the recently-acquired ArcSystem, BluesSystem and CueSystem ranges from GDS. The Somerset-based business is helmed by a team that features former GDS MD Matthew Lloyd in the role of director of global business. “He brings over 30 years of experience in the industry with a thorough knowledge of the architectural market place and its future direction. His previous experience of successfully developing the ArcSystem, BluesSystem and CueSystem sales path provides a strong foundation for progressing ETC’s architectural business in the UK,” says ETC in a statement. Lloyd comments
USA - Bandit Lites provided the lighting for RCA Records Nashville recording artist Chris Young’s Raised On Country World Tour 2019. Named for the fastest-rising single of his career, the tour kicked off its North American leg in May. Young’s long-time lighting designer Chris Lisle crafted a show comprised of Young’s preferences for lighting and video that would be both visually impactful at the tour’s venues and evolve over the course of the performance. “This Chris Lisle lighting design with Michael Stanley at the console is one the most visually stunning designs I have ever had the opportunity with which to be involved,” said Bandit Lites business development officer Brent Barrett. “We at Bandit are very proud to be a part of the production team.” The design plays off a W-shaped video wall with four individually moving panels. Four lig
Hungary - Reflecting the richness of Kowalsky meg a Vega’s music on their current tour in support of their Árnyék és Fény (Shadow and Light) album is an evocative and intricately-layered lightshow designed by Gergő Kovács that utilises a rig made up entirely of Chauvet Professional fixtures, supplied by Mobil Audio and Light Kft. Drawing inspiration from the title of Kowalsky meg a Vega’s latest album, Kovács mixes light and shadows to connect audiences to the spirt of the band’s performance. Central to the execution of this lighting concept are his rig’s 10 Maverick MK2 Spot, 24 COLORdash Par-Hex 12 and four STRIKE 4 fixtures, all of which are controlled by a ChamSys MagicQ MQ80 console. Hung on two rows of mid-stage truss, with four units on one row and six on the other, the Maverick MK2 Spot fixtures play a variety of roles in Kovács
USA - In Europe, Robbie Williams regularly fills stadiums and his productions are among the most highly-anticipated. One of his dreams was to do a Vegas show, and to make every detail of Williams’ show perfect, production and lighting designer Sean Burke, principal at Holes in the Dark, needed reliable wireless DMX technology. “When the wireless stuff came up, I did a bit of research on it, looked around, and saw that Baz [Halpin, of Silent House Productions] used RC4 Wireless products on the last Katy Perry tour. I know the crew chief, and he said they didn’t have any problems with it,” reports Burke. That was enough for him to entrust RC4 Wireless with the job for Williams’ Live in Las Vegas show. Matt Bakken, the master eectrician on the show, adds: “When a lot of people in the touring industry use wireless, they use equipment from RC4; to me, if
Romania - For the seventh consecutive year, Flowers for the Soul: Remember Florian Pittiş, an event honouring the late Romanian actor, folk singer and radio producer, was held 8-9 June at Titan Park in Bucharest. Marbo Trade, Claypaky distributor for Romania, staged the free show, during which an array of Claypaky fixtures illuminated a different roster of performers each night. Conceived as a “celebration of the spirit,” the event was organised by the City Hall of the third district of Bucharest in homage to the man regarded as a cultural symbol in Romania. The two-day show united artists and the public in a free-spirited commemoration of Pittiş, a visionary whose legacy continues to inspire Romanians. An audience spanning all age groups was treated to a blend of music, poetry, theatre and video projections on the outdoor stage. Lighting designer D
Poland - Ayrton has appointed Lunatec as its new exclusive distributor for Poland. Warsaw-based Lunatec was formed by CEO Michał Bisikiewicz and sales manager Adrian Gediga last December with the sole purpose of distributing the full range of Ayrton products in Poland. Bisikiewicz has over 20 years of experience in the sales and lighting equipment rental in Poland, particularly in broadcast, while Gediga brings an equal pedigree from 20 years of experience in Germany, where he worked for Ayrton’s former German distributor, VisionStage. Linnea Ljungmark, international sales for Ayrton, comments: “The fact that Lunatec was founded to distribute Ayrton says it all. We have the moving lights and they have the local network and energy to strongly move forward - a perfect match.” Bisikiewicz adds: “Ayrton has always been a stand-out company and its presence at
USA - Squeek Lights has had its busiest summer ever, supplying lighting packages for tours across the US. An especially busy June had the New York-based rental house hopping as they supplied and serviced several acts, including an outing by rock instrumentalists Chon, who toured with a rig of Elation Dartz 360 LED moving heads and SixBar 1000 LED battens. “We’ve had an insane number of tours going out this summer, which of course is a good thing,” enthuses Steve Kosiba of Squeek Lights. “We actually had two tours out in June with rigs that featured Elation lights and just bought more Dartz so we’ve upped our inventory of those.” Kosiba programmed both those June outings with the Chon rig running off an M2GO lighting console running Onyx software and operated on tour by Colin Bennet. Squeek Lights has been working with Chon on the California quartet’s las
Germany - Full service events provider Prisma has recently invested in the Prolights Gallery Eclipse range of LED ellipsoidals. Bielefeld-based Prisma has been providing light, sound and media technology equipment to a range of events for more than 20 years. In late 2018, the company decided to invest in energy efficient LED technology zoom profile luminaires, choosing 120 Prolights Gallery Eclipse fixtures as the right fit due to the lights’ pleasing aesthetic features and zoom flexibility along with high CRI output. Prisma's owner, Walter Helms, comments: "The Prolights Gallery Eclipse units were the obvious choice because of the combination of elegant design, high build quality, extremely clean cut-off of the four barn doors, not to mention the outstanding light output being comparable to a 650W halogen profiler. The small mini-profile spot light allows for great
USA - Matt Mills of Touch Light & Media ran the lighting and video for the USA tour by Sammy Hagar and his band The Circle in support of their current album Space Between. With him at every turn of this journey was a collection of Chauvet Professional STRIKE 4 fixtures, supplied by Felix Lighting. “This was the first tour I’ve done in over five years (since Avenged Sevenfold) that was not locked into time code,” says Mills, who co-designed the two-hour show with production manager Alastair Watson and also served as its lighting director, as well as lighting and video programmer. “It was a blast rocking the show live. The guys changed things up every night, so they kept me on my toes.” Helping Mills keep pace were the eight STRIKE 4 fixtures he flew on downstage truss. The high-output fixtures were positioned at different angles, so the warm
The Netherlands - The Wilminktheater & Muziekcentrum concert hall in Enschede have recently benefited from an investment in Robe’s T1 Profile LED moving lights. Lighting specialist Paul de Vries has been involved since the facility opened 11 years ago and so has most of the lighting kit, including some legacy Robe fixtures from the ColorSpot and Wash 575 series. Whilst still fully functional, the time came to freshen up and reinvest in new lighting to ensure the venues kept up with the latest technologies. This has come with the 12 Robe T1 Profiles which are replacing the older moving lights for use in both the theatre and the concert hall. To pick the most suitable fixtures, De Vries organised a ‘shootout’ between six major brands, with Jeroen van Aalst from Robe’s Benelux distributor Controllux demo’ing the T1. This demo impressed De Vries and his
Australia - LSC’s growth into the global installation market has enabled the company to develop a new range of professional DMX DINrail devices to “better serve and protect the installer from cheap and inferior data distribution products that can cause significant on-site problems”. The new MDR-DIN data distribution range is a four-way DINrail-mount version of the MDR DMX splitter with RDM as standard. Each of the four-port outputs is individually optically isolated, protecting lighting systems from earth loops, rogue voltages and transients. In addition, each output of the MDR-DIN can be RDM enabled/disabled as required by the user and each port monitored remotely via LSC’s new Houston-X software tool. (Jim Evans)
