USA - The Shed’s executive team joined elected officials and artists to celebrate the opening of New York’s new arts centre during a dedication ceremony just days before the space opened to the public on 5 April. Located on West 30th Street between 10th and 11th Avenue, The Shed is commissioning and presenting new work from artists working in all genres, including Steve McQueen, Steve Reich, Trisha Donnelly, Anne Carson, Ben Whishaw, Renée Fleming and Björk, among others. Specialised Audio-Visual (SAVI) engineered and installed a d&b V-Series line array in The McCourt, The Shed’s largest space in the 200,000sq.ft Bloomberg Building. “SAVI and d&b audiotechnik are part of the team that connects The McCourt to its artists via technology,” explains Michael Cusick, president of SAVI. “The d&b sound system in The McCourt plays a daily role a
UK - London-based hard rock band Thunder launched their new album Please Remain Seated to critical acclaim in January and they then toured nine UK venues from Cardiff to Glasgow via Birmingham and Manchester. The new album celebrates the band’s 30th anniversary and revisits some of their best-known songs, including She’s So Fine and Low Life in High Places. During the studio recording of the album, the band used Bose L1 Model II portable line arrays in order to get the right feel and sound. Lead singer Danny Bowes is full of praise for the system: “We’ve used lots of equipment over the years, but none as impressive as the Bose L1 system. For our latest album, we wanted a live feel in the studio and decided to try four L1 systems, along with a ToneMatch mixer audio engine and B1 [bass module] for each. “Setup was easy, and the sound
UK - Three performances, 10 minutes, 62,000 fans, and a TV audience of millions required expert audio delivery for the Opening Ceremony of Tottenham Hotspur’s new stadium. In 2017, Britannia Row was tasked with providing live audio for the North London football team’s ground closure at White Hart Lane. After proving itself as a trusted audio supplier to the Premier League club, two years later the rental house was asked to supply top engineers and a control package for a special event to mark the opening of the club’s new stadium. Working closely with Donaldson Creative, event producers Gary Beestone Events and Theatre contracted in Britannia Row to ensure a smooth delivery was achieved for the highly anticipated production. Tom Brown, Britannia Row client liaison, comments: “We had some of our expert TV and touring crew working on this job. Wit
Europe - Vincent Fenton, working under the name French Kiwi Juice, or FKJ for short, delivered his first long player in 2017 and 2019 sees the French multi-instrumentalist tour Europe and North America. Described by the press as ‘one of the flag bearers of the New French House musical genre’, FKJ is also heavily involved in the visual objectives for his live performances and his concerts guarantee visual as well as musical excellence. For this tour, FKJ appointed Stu Dingley as creative director and production designer. Stu is also lighting designer, with Will Smith positioned as lighting director, and video content was created by Lorenzo Depa, Sugo Design and FKJ himself. With the show running to a Timecode, the music structure of each track remains the same, however, FKJ inserts different live loops of music meaning audiences experience a different perform
Europe - Freya Ridings has recently completed her sold-out headline tour across the UK and Germany, accompanied by an Allen & Heath dLive mixing system on FOH. The English singer-songwriter has been making great strides over the past year, from support shows with artists such as Tears for Fears and Lewis Capaldi to her own sold-out headline tours. “I was looking for a solution that provided flexibility while mixing and the processing power to really dig-in and shape the sources exactly how I wanted,” comments FOH engineer, Tim Morris. “A prospective monitor engineer for the tour suggested using dLive and after further feedback from AJ Sutherland [monitor tech for Gary Numan], I decided to give it a try.” Supplied by Adlib, the FOH set-up for the tour features a dLive S7000 (fitted with a Dante card for multi-track recording and virtual soundcheck) and a DM
Australia - Perth’s Elite Audio Visual Productions has recently completed the installation of a Nexo Geo S sound reinforcement system in the 900-seat theatre at St Hilda’s Anglican School for Girls. EAVP were engaged to recommend, supply, and install an appropriate sound reinforcement system that would meet the varied needs of the Joy Shepherd Performing Arts theatre, which has 613 seats in the stalls and 287 seats in the dress circle. It serves as the school’s main auditorium for internal events and productions, but is also regularly hired by external clients for dance shows, concerts, church services and more. The previous system had begun to develop several problems and did not provide the even coverage and power needed for the theatre. Theatre manager David Spooner asked EAVP to design an appropriate system. By using acoustic modelling software, it was
UAE - Powersoft amplifiers have been installed at Rixos Premium Hotel, which is located in Dubai’s bustling Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR) community. The project was specified, managed and integrated by Pulse Middle East, and saw Powersoft amplifiers installed in five of the hotel’s outlets, including the lavish Azure Beach Club, Black Tap Craft Burgers and Shakes and Luigia Italian restaurant, which are all operated by Sunset Hospitality. The remaining venues, Lock, Stock and Barrell (LSB) and STK Steakhouse, are operated by Solutions Leisure. With bands performing live at LSB on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and DJs the other evenings, the audio system was configured to cater for both. The TW Audio system is powered by Powersoft Quattrocanali and X Series amplifier platforms - seven Quattrocanali 4804 DSP+D serve the smaller 8” M8 and 10” M10 speakers distr
Germany - Singer-songwriter Max Giesinger has been a regular in the German-speaking world of music for several years. Following the 2016 album The Boy Who Runs, Giesinger released the studio album The Journey in the Autumn of 2018. From mid-February to mid-March 2019, he embarked on the first leg of his eponymous tour, which led him through German arenas via four stops in Austria and Switzerland. Lighting designer Tom ‘Standtom’ Groß, who has been with Giesinger since 2016, produced an unconventional design for the tour. "In the run-up to the tour, I brainstormed this with the management and the artist,” he recalls. “I wanted a classic set-up of spot and wash lights, and to avoid a backdrop at the back. So all involved provided input, and the result was a three-dimensional design - minus a backdrop.” In addition to some spots that Standtom foun
USA - With increasing demand for concert-level audio in sports arenas to elevate the live sports experience, L-Acoustics products have evolved to incorporate greater levels of control and integration as well as weatherisation to match outdoor installation requirements. In tandem with these product developments, the L-Acoustics team supporting this thriving market sector has also evolved, as recently evidenced by the appointment of Gino Pellicano to the new post of application manager for sports facilities and consultant outreach. To create the L-Acoustics sports team, Dan Palmer has been promoted to business development manager, sports facilities - USA and Canada, after 10 years with the L-Acoustics application team. He will be working in tandem with Pellicano, who is also based in the manufacturer’s Westlake Village, California office and now oversees all technical
USA - Since opening in 1987, Audible Difference has provided sound reinforcement services for high-profile fashion and luxury brand events, theatrical productions ranging from Broadway to regional companies, and concerts and tours. ADI also installs sound systems in residences and commercial venues and in recent years has expanded its operations to Los Angeles and Miami. ADI director of technical services Ian Ruben-Schnirman discovered Linea Research amplifiers at the InfoComm trade show. “One of the people at [manufacturers rep firm] Cardone, Solomon & Associates told us about these new amps and processor products,” recounts Ruben-Schnirman. “We saw the Linea products on the show floor, decided we had to get some, and placed an order right there for two 48M10 amplifiers and two ASC48 processors.” With eight channels of Class D amplification in a mere 2U of
Norway - Boasting 1000 cabins and 54 suites, the MS Color Magic is the world's largest cruise ferry. For guests on her regular voyage between Oslo and Kiel however, Color Magic's real appeal lies in its generous onboard activities and entertainment, which includes a fully-equipped theatre, shopping mall and a night club. After having installed over 50 Chauvet Professional Maverick MK2 Spot and Wash fixtures as part of the vessel’s 2018 entertainment upgrade - which included installations in both the theatre and night club - Entech International was once again brought on-board to work on the ship's promenade area, specifying 14 Chauvet Professional Maverick MK2 Spot and 12 Maverick MK2 Wash fixtures. In addition to providing a more efficient upgrade to replace the outdated lighting equipment on the ship, which is owned by Color Line, the new Maverick fixtures create
Thailand - Mahajak Development recently outfitted Rambhai Barni Rajabhat University’s main auditorium with a Harman networked audio and lighting system. Established in 1972, Rambhai Barni Rajabhat University is a non-profit higher education institution located in Chanthaburi. The university offers graduate and undergraduate degree programs in a wide range of disciplines. In order to ensure top-tier production quality for student programs and events in the main auditorium, the university hired Mahajak Development to supply an end-to-end Harman networked AV system that could be easily controlled by staff and students. “The university needed a simple but dynamic audiovisual solution to produce impactful events for students and guests,” comments Pongsakorn Kanchanachayphoom, project director, Mahajak Development. “Taking into account the school’s request for a u
UK - Islington’s Grade II-listed Assembly Hall has committed to an investment in its technical infrastructure, including the first UK installation of Harman’s new JBL VTX A8 line array system at front of house. Inspired by the experienced management team of Lucinda Brown and technical manager Tom Watt, the council-owned building, part of Islington Town Hall complex, can now build on a reputation that has seen Ed Sheeran, Rag’n’Bone Man and Snow Patrol play there in the past. Following a competitive tender, the Islington Assembly Hall team chose JBL’s new flagship VTX A-Series, comprising A8 and B18 elements. The installation was undertaken by SSE Audio Group, who were also responsible for the new JBL VTX A12 installation (with VTX A8 acting as delays and front-fills) at London’s Troxy - coincidentally another Grade II-listed art deco building like the
Singapore - Hexogon Solution has become a disguise rental partners, the AV solutions manufacturer has reported. With offices in Singapore, Thailand, Japan, Taiwan, Vietnam, Hong Kong and the Philippines, Hexogon provides lighting, audio and video projection mapping equipment and also offers design and staging services for events and exhibitions. The company was founded in 1997 and has worked on the annual Singapore National Day celebrations, the Singapore Formula 1 City Light Up, and the 28th SEA Games’ opening and closing ceremonies. “As we are rapidly expanding, not only in Asia but in target markets outside of Asia, we need to ensure that we have a strong variety of server brands in our inventory,” says Adrian Goh, group managing director at Hexogon. “disguise is one of the top servers in the market and will help grow our business. Having a large fleet of pr
UK - Martin Dudley of Martin’s Lights has invested in the new Martin by Harman ERA 300 Profile, with six units already in action on the current Newton Faulkner tour. Supplying lighting design and lighting equipment hire services, Martin's Lights recently celebrated its 25th birthday. Current and past clients of owner Martin Dudley include Newton Faulkner with whom he has been working with for 13 years, James Morrison (as lighting director for lighting designer Cate Carter), Heaven 17, Gilbert O'Sullivan, Magazine, The Specials and many more. Having owned Martin fixtures a very long way back in the ‘DJ Series’ days of Magic Moons, Starflashes and Jem smoke machines, and of course experience of the countless Martin fixtures in the lighting rigs of venues and festivals, the new ERA 300 Profile modern day LED successor to the MAC 250 recently caught his attention.
Europe - Hayden Borgars has covered a broad spectrum of shows during his career as a lighting designer, including various music genres, corporate, dance and theatre. Most recently he joined forces with American rap artist, Hoodie Allen (real name Steven Markowitz) for a British and European tour, at venues ranging from the 700-capacity Garage Glasgow to 2,000 Shepherds Bush Empire. Travelling with him throughout was an inventory of GLP X4 Bar 20s and JDC1 hybrid strobes, supplied by rental company, Siyan. The tour was set up essentially as a pre-album promo tour in advance of Hoodie’s next album release this month. Given the nature of the venues, Hayden simply assembled a powerful and scalable GLP floor package, giving him both versatility and big looks. He admitted he had been eager to use the JDC1s for some time, and his hunger only increased after GLP UK’s
Zimbabwe - Minister Michael Mehendere recently hosted a Night of Worship at UFIC Mutare, filling the venue with worshippers and beautiful music. Well known throughout Africa, Mehendere has worked with some of the best musicians on the continent, as well as being a senior pastor at the renowned United Family International Church. For the Night of Worship, it was important the lighting helped transport the audience visually in the same way Mehendere’s gospel-driven music did spiritually. Blessing Bero of Events Evolution was tapped for lighting design, with Tatenda Rushwaya running the board for the show. Using a mix of Chauvet DJ fixtures, Bero focused on creating warmth for the show through washes and special effects that would fit seamlessly with the inspiring and celebratory theme of the event. “UFIC Mutare has a good stage, but it is not very large, so
New Zealand - NZ Sound Reinforcement recently deployed a JBL by Harman audio system at Bay Dreams music festival for performances by Cardi B, Tash Sultana, Rich the Kid and more. Bay Dreams is an annual music festival that takes place every 2 January at Mount Maunganui. Established in 2016, Bay Dreams has quickly become one of New Zealand’s biggest summer music festivals. In 2019, the festival expanded to Nelson City with a second day of performances. In order to deliver industry-leading sound for some of the biggest artists in the world, Bay Dreams recruited the help of NZ Sound Reinforcement, a full-service production company in New Zealand. NZ Sound partnered with JPRO, one of New Zealand's premier pro audio distribution companies, to deploy a JBL Professional audio system. “The new JBL VTX A-Series systems have provided an amazing experience for all invo
UK - A.C. Entertainment Technologies (AC-ET) has supplied the award-winning StageSmarts smartPDU power distribution system to creative technical production company, WCE-AV, to provide power management for its new lighting inventory. WCE-AV works with some of the UK’s most high-profile conference, live event, exhibition, roadshow, and fashion show clients. Its end-to-end service covers everything from set & stage design through to lighting, AV, power & rigging equipment. After recently upgrading all of the company's lighting inventory to modern LED-source fixtures, company director, Wayne Whitson was keen to find a power & distribution system which would offer maximum protection for the considerable new stock investment. Wayne approached one-stop technology supplier, AC-ET, who he had purchased equipment from before, to suggest a suitable solution.
Italy - The Colosseum in Rome is one of the world’s busiest tourist attractions, with over six million visitors per year. Now, under the management of archaeological park director Alfonsina Russo, it has once again become a venue for all kinds of events. Last year, visitors to the Colosseum were treated to a spectacular show, Sangue e Arena, at nightfall. This international collaboration between Canada and Italy offered a totally immersive experience, in English and Italian, with lights and remarkable holographic video effects at the heart of the ancient monument. wysiwyg was at the centre of all the action. The Sangue e Arena project was the result of a close collaboration between Italian company, Electa Editore under the direction of the Parco Archeologico del Colosseo. Graphics eMotion and Lumin-ART gave life to the Colosseum, a world heritage site.
Ireland - Picture This played a record five sold out nights at Dublin’s 3Arena. This beat U2’s four nights and offered a lively, show-stopping performance to 60,000 adoring fans. Helping make everything at the 3Arena bit look that bit more special was production designer Liam McCarthy, who spec’d over 150 Robe moving lights for this extravaganza, delivered by Irish rental company Just Lite Productions, and featuring 37 BMFL Spots, 36 Spiiders, 46 Pointes, 16 LEDWash 600s and 16 SuperSpikies. Liam worked closely with the band and created some initial set and visual concepts based on their ideas of initially wanting a circular video screen - which was developed into two curved screens. Video content director Darragh McAuliffe and the team from content producers Algorithm were commissioned by Just Lite’s Paul Smith with input from the band. The IMAG camera mix dir
USA - Jen Fok says that she enjoys making “large gestures” that mix colour and shadow, evidenced by her work as the lighting designer on Qui Nguyen’s family saga Vietgone, which is running at the Boston Centre for the Arts from until 25 May. An Emmy Award-winning writer, Qui recounts the story of his Vietnamese parents, who met in an Arkansas refugee camp following the end of the war in 1975. His play is a delightful mashup of hip-hop, romance, road trip, Kung Fu and myriad other elements that make up the mosaic of life. Scenes morph radically during the telling of this story, and Fok’s lighting never fails to keep pace, thanks in part to its evocative colour changes, made with help from Chauvet Professional COLORdash Par-Hex 12 fixtures, supplied by High Output. Positioned on the third Unistrut position, the RGBAW+UV LED wash fixtures were instrumental in cre
Hungary - For Event is based in Budapest and is among Hungary’s leading technical production and equipment rental specialists, working across multiple entertainment and event sectors including music festivals and concert touring, live events, exhibitions and corporates. The company was the first in Hungary to invest in Robe MegaPointes in early 2018. Before then, they were also the first rental operation with BMFLs in Hungary - of which they have purchased more in the last year together with 24 x Spiiders and 26 x ParFects. The For Event brand was founded in 2011 by Gábor Glatz, a well-known Hungarian rock musician and celebrity who also runs another successful company, GDP, dedicated to providing full creative scenic and décor services. For Event’s focus has always been on providing additional technical value - both in design and equipment - lighting, sou
UK - Stage Electrics has installed and commissioned the power distribution and data systems, including 40 Socapex and data connection facility panels, in the Hippodrome Casino London, ahead of the Casino’s critically acclaimed production of Magic Mike Live, a spin-off live-version of the major motion picture. “We went from concept to installation in less than two weeks, we were called in to provide the Casino with the necessary infrastructure to meet the technical requirements for the show,” commented Stage Electrics’ project manager Tim Sachno. “The whole installation was delivered on a very tight time scale, including the design and manufacture of over 40 bespoke facility panels.” Stage Electrics has a long-standing relationship with the client, V&A Productions. “We’ve worked with V&A Productions in the past, mainly on equipment sales
