USA - After finishing his NYE show for Bassnectar in Louisville, Justin Casey was gearing up for a busy 2020. For a couple of months things played out that way for the owner of Helm Projects. There were shows at the Okeechobee Festival and Holy Ship Wreck; a concert at American Airlines Arena with Snoop Dog. The list went on - until the COVID-19 lockdown brought it to a sudden end. After spending a couple of weeks “decompressing,” Casey elected to pivot his business. With live events on hold, he suddenly had all of his gear in the Chatanooga, TN warehouse for the first time in five years. Rather than let this equipment gather dust, he made the decision to put it to use by creating a combination learning laboratory and livestream studio. “We have lots of cameras, switchers, and audio gear, along with lighting that’s normally out on shows available to us,” says
USA - Garth Brooks returned to the stage in a co-ordinated live concert delivered to over 300 drive-in theatres across North America. Bandit Lites provided the lighting for the special event, where more than 350,000 fans were entertained while safe in their own vehicles. "This time, I was the fan and the people were the entertainment. Watching people all night from coast to coast, in Canada and here in the US, laughing, dancing, and singing, made me smile," says Brooks in a statement. "It reminded me how much I miss the crazy, happy, and unpredictable life we lead as entertainers. For one night, things seemed right." The event was produced by Encore Live and recorded in Nashville with a full band. Brooks’ long-time lighting designer David ‘Gig’ Butzler modified his original in-the-round lighting design from Brooks’ current world tour, all at a breakneck pace w
UK - A movement that started in Berlin during lockdown has now spread to 65 cities across the world. United We Stream Brighton (UWSB) launched on 18 June with a programme of live performances to raise funds for Brighton's night time economy, which has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. Loudspeaker manufacturer Funktion-One is partnering with the initiative, supplying its new F5 / SB8 sound system for in the room playback. United We Stream was founded in Berlin to support clubs, artists and event organisers drastically affected by lockdown, through livestreaming from an empty venue direct into people’s homes. The idea of the ‘living room rave’ has captured imaginations around the globe, spreading to 65 cities across every continent. While the streams are free, those tuning in are encouraged to make donations - so far raising over a million euros for worthy c
Denmark - Production specialists DPA Soundco took Coda Audio to new heights for 24-hour live stream concert Covidhagen, which took place on the flat roof of Copenhagen’s famed Opera House. Experienced audio engineer Ally Kerslake was the project manager for this ambitious event. Dealing with more than 50 acts, some with multiple personnel, would be a tall order on any stage - to present them seamlessly for twenty four hours on a roof accessed via a small elevator and an even smaller stairway was something of a challenge. Kerslake comments: “This was only the second time an event had been staged on the Opera House roof. The first was a Red Bull diving event in 2018 where we supplied an audio solution, so having been chosen again, we knew the kinds of challenges we’d face. Safety was a key concern, both in terms of COVID-19 and the access issues.” Th
UK - Audio-visual and entertainment technology supplier Anna Valley has built its first off-site online event studio at indigo at The O2, transforming the iconic music venue into a live-streaming studio. After being closed for over three months due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the popular South East London venue can now host online events for corporate and agency clients using the solution from Anna Valley. Anna Valley launched the online event studio in June via a live stream demonstration of their in-house studio setup in West London. Online event studio clients were offered the option of hosting events from the audio-visual company’s 42,000sq.ft facility or having a customised solution built at a venue of their choice. The new installation at indigo at The O2 now provides London-based event agencies and corporate clients with an alternative off-site venue for virtu
Finland - Helsinki law firm Castrén & Snellman is a pioneer of sustainable business practice in the legal services industry and was the first Finnish law firm to join the UN Global Compact initiative. The company recently carried out an extensive renovation of their client areas and staff workspaces, with the goal of taking the 130-year old law firm to the next level. Castrén & Snellman turned to Finnish AV integrator, 4Business Oy, who specialise in delivering tailored AV and automation systems. The solution integrated a large number of Genelec loudspeakers throughout the building. “Genelec was simply an ideal choice for this project,” states 4Business COO Janne Lankinen. “On top of Genelec’s product quality, visual appearance and neutral sound reproduction, the company’s values and commitment to sustainable development fit beautifully into the or
USA - While some members of the entertainment lighting industry have busied themselves with drive-in shows during the COVID-19 lockdown, Jordan Chance has opted to take a slightly different course. The owner of Luxe Productions, a popular live event company in Chicago, Chance is following a “drive-to” approach to reaching new customers. With his company’s box trucks idle because of the prohibition on the indoor events that were once the mainstay of his business, Chance converted three of these vehicles into movie screens on wheels. The trucks are rented out to clients who want to hold safe, socially-distant compliant events that involve film showings. The idea for these Movie Truck Nights started when Chance’s partner brought a truck home to use as a screen for a community movie showing for his family and some neighbours to enjoy as they sheltered in pla
USA - When The Wharf entertainment district in Orange Beach, Alabama, reopened in time for Memorial Day, visitors were treated to a spectacular, new lightshow by Cue 13 Design that uses Elation’s IP65 luminaires. Located on Alabama’s Gulf Coast, just across the border from Pensacola, Orange Beach is a quaint but upscale southern beach town. The Wharf, which opened in 2006, offers outdoor shopping, dining, and entertainment at special event venues including a Live Nation amphitheatre. A nightly light show called Spectra has been drawing visitors to The Wharf’s Main Street since 2013. Ryan Stumpp, founder and Principal at Cue 13 Design, and a 15-year theme park design veteran, was subcontracted to work on the original design seven years ago and was called on to redesign the light show for 2020. “Many people come to The Wharf in the evening for the l
UK - Located on the top floor of the former Dickins & Jones department store at Oxford Circus in London, Aqua is a combination of the Japanese Aqua Kyoto sushi restaurant and Aqua Nueva contemporary Spanish restaurant. Set on a vast 17,000sq.ft space, it also includes a large central bar and balcony/terrace bar. Opened more than a decade ago by Hong Kong-based Aqua Restaurant Group, it recently underwent a design metamorphosis, which included an upgraded Martin Audio sound system, while still retaining its distinct nightclub flavour. Having carried out maintenance work there previously, Evolve Install, in the shape of partners Elliot Patterson and Robert Stemson, were alerted to the imminent refurbishment. They began talks with the management last April / May, budgets were discussed, and the decision was taken to keep the sound system under the Martin Audio umbrell
France - Lucas Enguerrand and his brother Quentin, who both work at French lighting and visual production and rental company FL Group, based in Morangis 15km south of Paris, wanted to keep morale high and their passion for music and lighting alive in a meaningful way during the COVID-19 lockdown. With the full permission and support of FL Group owner Francois Lamberdière, they activated a plan to utilise the company warehouse and other available resources like equipment, and with a little help from their friends, have started producing spectacular ‘full production’ live streams working with a number of contemporary French artists. When the French live event and production industry ground to a halt in March, as with all the rental companies, all FL Group’s immediate work was cancelled, the country went into lockdown to contain the virus and all the staff found t
UK - An important part of The University of York’s Department of Theatre, Film, Television and Interactive Media’s curriculum focuses on audio recording and delivery. To teach students in its audio programmes about loudness compliance and metering, the school relies on Nugen Audio’s VisLM plug-in. “We first heard about Nugen from a commercial client who requested the VisLM software,” says Richard Sykes, technical officer, University of York. “We purchased a copy so they could use it when they came in to mix in our studios. We were immediately impressed with the software and have since incorporated it into the curriculum for our film, television and sound production programmes. “The placement of the graphics makes long-form work a lot easier, which is especially important for students to properly understand what’s going on,” adds Sykes. “When you are
Germany - Landmark buildings glowed red throughout Germany Monday night, 22 June, for Night of Light, a massive expression of support for the events industry and a vivid reminder to the nation’s leaders about the challenges facing the businesses and individuals who make up this vital sector of the economy. Initiated by Essen-based marketing agency LK-AG, the awareness campaign drew the support of EVVC, Germany’s venue association and thousands of businesses from every region of the country, including Chauvet Germany. “We are proud to be a part of this important event,” said Thomas Fischer, managing director of Chauvet Germany GmbH. “The situation we face cannot be ignored. We must all pull together to ensure a prosperous future for our industry.” In addition to lighting its home offices in red, Chauvet Germany provided fixtures to illuminate buildings
South Africa - In early March, before the arrival of the coronavirus, the University of Pretoria (UP) delighted hundreds of children from Pretoria, Mamelodi and Eersterust with a production of Hans Christian Anderson’s The Snow Queen at the Masker Theatre. The work was directed by Professor Marié-Heleen Coetzee and was developed through a collaborative workshop process with students studying drama the University of Pretoria, together with UP Drama Department alumnus, Ben Pienaar, who played the role of Snow Queen. The University’s outreach programme, UP Partnerships in Progress, sponsored attendance for learners from Mamelodi and Eersterust, providing many children with their very first theatre experience. When Prof. Coetzee first conceptualised the work, she realised that funding for the production was going to be a challenge, especially as the story takes
UK - Live From The Polar Bear heralds a return to live music from COVID-19 lockdown, with VMS Live supporting the Polar Bear and Sesh, presenting a 12-week series of gigs, starting 30 June 2020. Shows will be live streamed from 8.00pm, with the first sessions featuring The Hubbards and Alice Simmons. Other acts already confirmed are King No-One with Kitty VR, Polo and Lucy Tessier, Talk More and Jack Conman and Fever with Aimee Duncan. VMS Live CEO Bert Van Horck comments, “We’re all passionate in our love for live music and very excited to be taking this first step back towards feeling the energy of a live gig again. Performing is a highlight for any artist, creating a special bond with their audience and we are providing a safe stage with high quality technical support to enable that. With social distancing limiting our ability to fill the venue, w
Vietnam - At the Hoiana Suncity gaming and entertainment venue, VISCO Joint Stock and ihD has deployed Harman Professional audio-visual (AV) and background music (BGM) solutions. Hoiana is the first beachfront integrated resort in Central Vietnam. The resort consists of entertainment and gaming facilities, an 18-hole golf course; and hotel facilities. "The client wanted the latest hi-tech audio-visual, background music, lighting solutions and LED video walls to enliven its gaming and entertainment venues. One of the challenges that we faced was that we began the project with 50 percent of architectural drawings, while the rest of the design was put in place as the establishment was being built," said David Chua, general director, VISCO Joint Stock. "We used HiQnet Audio Architect Software for programming and configuring all of Harman’s audio systems. Integrating a mu
USA - St. Matthew Catholic Church in Charlotte, North Carolina, offers 100-plus active ministries and is distinguished as the Catholic church with the largest congregation in the United States. In 1996, to accommodate its large and growing membership, the church dedicated a 2,200-seat, fan-shaped worship space that presently hosts at least eight services each week. Although St. Matthew updated its sanctuary sound system in 2012 with a newer loudspeaker setup based on an exploded cluster design, in recent years, that system suffered from clarity and reliability issues, and ultimately succumbed to a lightning strike late last year. The church’s production team had already been in talks with SES Integration of nearby Concord to design a retrofit PA system that would provide improved intelligibility, coverage and dependability. As the integration division of Winston-Sale
USA - This past Memorial Day weekend, rental company Main Light Industries sponsored Illuminate Delaware, a four-day event in which landmarks in Wilmington and around the state were illuminated as a tribute to essential workers on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as fallen U.S. military personnel. Based in Wilmington, Main Light Industries is one of the largest rental companies in the United States yet the company also plays a valued role in their local community. Main Light employee and lifelong Wilmington resident John DiEleuterio coordinated the effort with assistance from Electro Sound Systems, BEW Productions, Wake Media, and Spaceboy Clothing, as well as a sizeable team of volunteers. A collective of Delaware lighting and event industry professionals gave their time and energy to help make the event a reality, helping with designing, progr
The Netherlands - With over 30 years’ experience of mixing live music and theatre, Richard van Dorland is a Dutch sound engineer with a musical heart. Working with artists who mix acoustic and electric instruments to craft songs with a high level of dynamics, he sees himself as an extension of the musicians and their performance. His investment in an Alcons Audio pro-ribbon system has ensured that audiences enjoy every detail of the sound. “I pride myself on having an ear for detail,” he says. “I give every musician the attention they need, creating space for their instrument and the ensemble sound. Each instrument gets its own place in the acoustic image, creating a clear balance to give the listener an open, transparent experience.” Richard is well known in the Netherlands for his work with various national and international artists, including renowned Dutc
UK - Version 2 has been supporting a growing number of crews with low energy solutions both in the studio and on location. Working with a number of leading lighting directors, the Buckinghamshire-based lighting rental specialists have supported coverage on a selection of premier summer events with products form their low energy inventory. First up was a visit to Worthy Farm, Somerset as Broadcast Partners for the BBC’s comprehensive coverage of the 2019 Glastonbury Festival. Making use of a selection of V2 low energy fixtures, lighting director Oli Richards and gaffer Paul Evans made last year’s Glastonbury coverage a completely LED lit event. The Version 2 team deployed a pair of lighting trucks to help deliver the look for both the ‘live studio’ areas and the considerable number of interviews held remotely across the vast festival site. The studio set-
Germany - Supermodel Heidi Klum spent from the end of January to mid-May 2020 searching for Germany’s next top model. She found what she was looking for in the form of Jacqueline Wruck, when the grand final of the popular TV programme Germany’s Next Topmodel was held at Studio Berlin Adlershof (minus the audience). LD Manuel da Costa and his team from mdc licht.gestalten were responsible for the lighting design of this lavishly equipped show. Additionally, in collaboration with the video technicians, he oversaw the technical settings of the cameras and supported creative producer, Joy Hayat Berhanu and her team, in the individual productions of the show. Manuel describes the setting for this year’s finale: “The real problem was the non-existent audience,” he reports. “In the past few years we have always been in large, full 10,000-seat halls for the
New Zealand - Industrial Sessions, a new live streaming and recording studio in Queenstown, has equipped its space with Claypaky HY B-EYE K15 and Mythos 2 fixtures. The studio marks a collaboration among TomTom Productions for lighting, video and set design, Soundpeople for audio and multi-track recording, and Shotover Media for camera and direction. It is located in the TomTom Productions warehouse. “Our purpose is to bring high-quality live streaming to Queenstown and the world by giving local and national musicians a space to perform and connect with their audience in a time when they can’t perform as usual,” says Hamish Edh, managing director of TomTom and co-creator of Industrial Sessions. “The space is also used for corporate meetings, a pretty popular usage given the COVID-19 restrictions on gatherings. We do one or two Industrial Sessions a week and convert t
The Netherlands - Restaurants in Amsterdam recently began to re-open their outdoor spaces, and in an effort to enrich the customer dining experience, AVL Rent teamed up with food wholesaler Bid Food and popular Dutch rapper Lange Frans to stage a day of performances at six popular eateries. Lange Frans’s whistle-stop tour involved arriving at each venue by car, performing two or three songs, taking a bow and moving on to the next assignment. Wouter Ruijiter, owner of AVL Rent, explains: “Times are very tough right now, but from the start of lockdown we kept our minds open to every possibility, thinking of ways we could operate safely within the restrictions. People love live entertainment and their appetite for it was only going to increase during this crisis. As soon as certain restrictions began to be lifted, it was clear we could do something on a small scale th
USA - When award-winning songwriter Victoria Shaw required lighting for her music performance and storytelling series Songwriters Under The Covers with Victoria Shaw, Bandit Lites delivered. The show is described online as “a new, intimate, music performance and storytelling series created in collaboration with award-winning songwriter Victoria Shaw puts the spotlight on the songwriters of some of music’s biggest hits across pop, rock, and country. Top-selling songwriters share the little-known stories behind their hit songs along with an intimate live acoustic performance on stage”. For the second season, viewers can expect to see Ken Mo, Clint Black, Tommy Shaw (of Styx and Damn Yankees) Bob DiPiero and Garth Brooks. Lighting designer Mark Carver was tasked by the producer to create a warm and inviting atmosphere in order to make the artist on stage an
Australia - Power and protection are the keywords with dimming and distro and Sydney’s National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) now has both thanks to LSC Lighting Systems. NIDA is Australia's leading centre for education and training in the performing arts and features six professional performance venues, studios and rehearsal rooms. As the largest of the performance venues at NIDA, the Parade Theatre offers seating for audiences of up to 707 people in its three-tiered, horseshoe-shaped auditorium. The Playhouse is a 155-seat amphitheatre, designed for more intimate productions. NIDA has three smaller black box theatres - the Space, the Studio Theatre and the Reg Grundy Studio - that are frequently adapted to suit different production needs. NIDA recently decided to upgrade its dimming and power distribution systems with LSC Lighting Systems GEN VI dimmers and APS