USA - NAMM 2018 marks the introduction of GigaCore 10, the first truss-adaptable switch in the GigaCore family. The 19-inch half unit can be mounted in truss, on a wall or in a single or double rack. In addition to the GigaCore 10 introduction, Luminex will be presenting the new GigaCore v2.6.1 firmware bringing some major improvements on PTP, PoE management and network monitoring. With the constant growth of Audio over IP solutions, Luminex has enhanced the performance of the Precision Time Protocol handling, especially with applications running AES67. PoE handling now offers advanced power management settings allowing users to select between class-based consumption and class based allocation providing even more flexibility when connecting PoE devices such as cameras or PoE loudspeakers. “The recent expansion of Winter NAMM gives us the perfect venue to introduce so
Belgium - Luc Peumans of Painting With Light created the lighting and stage design for the 30th anniversary tour by rock band Clouseau. The visual concept of Clouseau 30 tour - an extensive itinerary visiting 500 2000-capacity venues across Belgium - is based around a lounge-style environment with carpets on the floor, standard lamps dotted around and an upright piano onstage. Charismatic lead singer Koen enthusiastically engages with the audience as he tells assorted stories related to each song. The set list can also change - with no warning - depending on this audience interaction, as they will often shout out requests for specific songs the band might decide to play. This improvisation keeps Luc and the crew on their toes and is an exciting and invigorating way to work ‘live’. Luc is celebrating his own anniversary, being back behind the lighting
UK - Automation manufacturer Kinesys has launched a new website at www.kinesys.co.uk and www.kinesysusa.com. This highly visual and contemporary environment reflects the brand’s identity and reputation for excellence, innovation and imagination, says the company. It will be a key communications hub for Kinesys clients, end-users, technicians and anyone wanting to discover more about the company and its products and services. Several important new features include Live Chat, Support Tickets, Social Wall and Newsletter sign ups, together with articles, opinions, news and other sources of valuable information and technical detail. This new platform was created due to the growing interest and trend for automation as a visual component of shows, events, installations, venues and many other applications. Kinesys MD Dave Weatherhead states: “Many of our custom
UK - It’s panto season again and as innuendos fly, slapstick humour is trowelled on and extravagant costumes and characters abound, entertaining thousands of people up and down the UK. Lighting and visuals rental and production specialist HSL supplied equipment to a record 31 premium UK pantomime productions for the 2017-18 season for leading pantomime producers, Qdos. That is 11 more shows than last year’s schedule of 20, which are taking place all over England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, as far north as Aberdeen, Glasgow and Edinburgh and as far west as Plymouth and Llandudno, as far south as Southampton and also including Belfast, Cardiff and London. The equipment has included lighting – conventional and intelligent fixtures (LEDs / moving heads), rigging and a raft of special effects like smoke, fog and atmosphere, together with humungous amounts o
UK - Really Creative Media was entrusted to design the stage content for British pop group Steps’ Party on the Dance Floor arena tour, a vibrant celebration of 20 years since their formation. Fresh off the back of working with Rudimental and Dua Lipa, Really Creative Media’s lead creative Jack James and head of video James Adkins were brought on board by the tour’s production manager Steve Reeve from Pull The Pin Out to deliver the tour’s live visual content. Working with creative director Frank Strachan, Really Creative Media first captured footage during a one-day shoot with the band and dancers, destined to populate five LED square hero screens flown above the stage on a Kinesys system and two LED IMAG side-of-stage screens, helping to give the show a larger than life feel for the audience. LED continued to be used on stage with a 18m wide back wall a
Spain - This year, GUIL turns 35 and the company is celebrating with customers, distributors and partners by acknowledging their contribution to the growth and consolidation of the brand in the market. GUIL is one of the leading companies in the field of equipment for the entertainment industry, specialising in the design and manufacturing of lifting towers, stages, stands and structures for sound and light, as well as stands and accessories for musical instruments and A/V equipment. During these 35 years, GUIL has experienced a fast and constant evolution, adapting to the ever changing needs and requirements of the entertainment industry. For this, it has a team of highly qualified professionals, with an R&D&I department that designs and manufactures high quality, innovative and exceptionally engineered products. The CEO and founder of the company shows
UK - In December, specialist lighting and rigging provider TSL successfully met the large-scale production requirements and tight deadlines for a festive event with a difference - the UK's largest carol service, staged at the SSE Wembley Arena, London. Continuing a long-standing client relationship with international Christian church organisation Hillsong, TSL provided rigging and lighting services for London Carols, which saw three back-to-back performances on 17 December, reaching a total live audience of 30,000. Arena-scale show production always places huge demands on suppliers and crew, and the requirements for London Carols were no different, says Sam Tamplin, managing director of TSL. "We supplied the rigging equipment for all departments, so it was imperative we didn't hold anything up. The load-in schedule was meticulously planned by Hillsong dow
Europe - GearSource has added Jeroen Knol to its business development team. Jeroen is based in Europe and well networked in the European markets, having worked the last 12 years with two of the world’s largest industry-related companies. He will bring his network and relationship management skills to GearSource Europe. Along with Jeroen in Europe, the company’s US-based business development and operations teams will support everything from listings to orders, logistics and more. GearSourceEurope.com now operates as a fully integrated and secure e-commerce platform, built on the company’s redeveloped engine, G-Suite offering users even more power than ever before. “In developing G-Suite, our technology team has once again raised the bar. G-Suite will help us remain the largest name in used gear – globally,” says Marcel Fairbairn, CEO of GearSource.
PLASA has announced changes to its elected board including the appointment of Adam Blaxill as the new chair. Blaxill joined the PLASA Board as the Professional Services Representative in 2012 and was elected as vice-chair in 2014. He has been voted as the new chair of PLASA through a simple majority vote. Blaxill takes over from Ed Pagett who has served as chair for an extended seven years. During this time Pagett oversaw the de-merger with ESTA with the support of an executive committee which included Blaxill as vice-chair and Martin Hawthorn as treasurer. This valuable work enabled the survival and growth of PLASA. Pagett will continue to serve as a non-executive director, contributing his extensive knowledge and expertise to advise and support the association as it continues its work in the industry. As a director of Stage Electrics - one of the UK’s leading
UK - Dubai-based Protec has acquired Birmingham-based Aventeq. The UK company, which offers a comprehensive suite of services, including creative & technical design, production, lighting, audio, video, staging, rigging and venue support services, will be renamed to Protec European Events and continue to be lead by its founder Chris Bramwell. Stephen Lakin, Protec’s founder and CEO, says: “I have a lot of time for Chris Bramwell and the team. They have built up a strong business and I’m thrilled to welcome them into the Protec family. I am looking forward to the opportunity to introduce their customers to a wider global reach and more exciting tools & technology to create unique and memorable event experiences.” Bramwell adds: "Aventeq, which of course I’m thrilled to say, is now Protec European Events, has a similar passion to Protec. We are very
USA - Tomcat and JTE racked up another successful show at LDI that not only featured their current line of products, but also the products they had each manufactured over the years that allowed them to experience the success they both enjoy today. The walk-through time was to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Tomcat and the 40th anniversary of James Thomas Engineering in truss manufacturing, but the main thrust of the show was to highlight their current line of truss products and new innovations. This year’s LDI show was also the introduction of Carmen Savarese as the new sales & marketing director for the Tomcat and JTE teams. The star of Tomcat’s presentation was its new Nemesis pre-rig truss that comes in standard and touring formats. Its single person side loading system allows you to easily rig moving lights to the aluminium bar, slide into the truss
UK - The newly opened Darlington Hippodrome, formerly known as Darlington Civic Theatre, has been restored to its former glory and transformed with 21st century technical facilities that include new stage lighting, audio and video systems. Featuring leading brands including Chroma-Q, Allen & Heath, Panasonic and many more, most loose equipment was supplied by A.C. Entertainment Technologies (AC-ET). The theatre received a £5m grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) towards the ambitious £13.7m project to regenerate and upgrade the venue, which also included restoring the exterior of the distinctive Grade II listed building and the beautiful Edwardian auditorium inside. In addition, seating capacity has been increased to enable larger shows to be accommodated as part of an expanded artistic programme. Darlington Hippodrome is also managing the newly-buil
UK - Adlib supplied full production, including sound, lighting, rigging and large format video projection, for a special one-off event at the SSE Wembley Arena in London, DreamWorks Animation in Concert which was presented by DreamWorks Animation, CineConcerts, and The MJR Group. It featured music and many memorable moments from DreamWorks Animation’s numerous hit films like Shrek, Kung Fu Panda, How to Train Your Dragon and more with music performed live by The Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra. Adlib project managers Dave Eldridge and Richard Nicholson co-ordinated all the technical elements working closely with tour manager Barry Jepson, MJR’s production manager Leanne Powell, technical manager Curtis King and creative director Nathan Stone. It completes a hattrick of recent noteworthy orchestral works serviced by Adlib including
UAE - Event technical production specialist Maestra’s UEA based operation, delivered rigging, staging, sound, lighting and video / AV for Blend Abu Dhabi, a special event to relaunch the YAS Marina Formula One circuit meeting space. Attended by event organisers, production companies, suppliers, social influencers, media and other organizations and individuals from across the event spectrum, all with different interests in the world of live events, the pressure was on for Maestra’s team on site, led by project manager Aaron Merchant, to deliver something unique. They co-ordinated technical production for four different areas, the main conference space, the pit garages, the reception area and entrance and the afterparty staged in the chic, rooftop Luna Lounge. A stunning sculptural set design for the conference session’s stage was conceived by the YAS
Australia - Mojo Barriers Australia recently undertook one of Australia’s largest stadium field cover installations, with over 15,000 sq.m. being installed for Sensation at Spotless Stadium, Sydney Showground, in November. Sensation, the biggest open-air festival in Australia this year, was a great success, and protecting the valuable sports surface was of critical importance as Spotless Stadium is the home of Sydney’s professional cricket team Sydney Thunder and the Greater Western Sydney (GWS) Giants, part of the Australian Football League. Mojo installed a complete Supatrac system to ensure the best possible pitch protection. It took 34 truck movements to freight the equipment in and out of the stadium and over 850 man-hours to install and remove. The Mojo team installed over 15,000 sq.m. of 100% white Supatrac, along with over 500m of alum
UK - The Band is a new musical written by Tim Firth, featuring the music of Take That. Cast through the 2017 BBC reality television show Let It Shine, it is produced by David Pugh and is currently touring the UK through until July 2018, with more dates being added. With so many theatrical venues playing host to the production, Kate West, production manager has brought Unusual Rigging on board for the duration of the tour to provide motors, truss and rigging for LX and sound positions and for some scenic items, as well as supplying staff for the get-in and get-out at each tour move. While The Band is not a particularly complex show in terms of rigging, as with the nature of touring productions, some venues are more challenging than others and Kate needed peace of mind that the points could be installed relatively quickly in each venue to enable the
UK - The stages used for Adele’s 2017 stadium tour in the round became the first events industry designs to win a coveted Structural Award. Designed by OPS Structures for Star Events, the VerTech Ultra stages claimed the Best Small Projects (of between £1-3m) gong at the annual Structural Awards organised by the Institution of Structural Engineers. The stages were developed, built, tested and shipped to Australia in just four months and suspended 90t of production equipment at 25m above the ground. The judges praised the structures’ design, which allowed easy transportation and erection, minimised work at height and enabled unobstructed views by negating traditional bracing. A spokesperson for the judges said: “The Adele 25 Stage engineering took account of the vast constraints and design drivers to produce a safe, efficient, elegant and reusable structure. The
UK - Technical production specialist Central Presentations (CPL) and producers Constructive Communications delivered full technical production for Construction’s Got Talent, a team-building / gala dinner conference event with a difference for leading independent construction and property services company Wilmot Dixon. This was staged in the Noble Suite at the Pullman Hotel on Euston Road, London, with tailor made format partly inspired by TV talent show competitions on a quest to discover the company’s own undiscovered talent, which was interspersed with presentations and speeches. Lee Gruszeckyj led the CPL team who worked with Constructive Communications’ project manager Ken D’Souza. A 10 metre-wide stage with free-standing printed graphic wrap set / backdrop including the event’s own Got Talent logo was installed, complete with small thrust fo
UK - Overlooked by a dominating Nelson’s Column and The National Gallery, U2 premiered material from new album Songs Of Experience amongst a set of their greatest hits, at a free show for 7,000 fans in London’s Trafalgar Square on Saturday 11 November. Introduced by the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, MTV Presents Trafalgar Square was the curtain-raiser to the following evening’s 24th annual MTV Europe Music Awards (EMAs) at The SSE Arena, Wembley, where the Irish four-piece were honoured with the Global Icon award. Both events were graced by Stageco’s dedication as staging provider with Wim DeWolf and Mario Dockx handling the R&D, while Dirk De Decker managed both projects. For the U2 event, the Stageco crew of seven [plus local crew], headed by Stefaan Vandenbosch, negotiated one of the busiest tourist areas of the city to erect the company’s
South Africa - The country’s first strictly dry hire company, Guquko Technical Rider, has been established by a young entrepreneur, Phumzile Sibanyoni. Guquko is the Zulu word meaning ‘to turn around’ or ‘to reform’, a pertinent name for a company that hopes to bring a fresh wind of change to the industry. Making an investment of 12 Robe Spiiders, 24 Longman 4 Ups and Prolyte stage decks purchased from DWR Distribution, the objective of the company is to rent out high ticket line items that are specified by lighting designers on a daily basis. “Because we were just starting out, we looked at gear that would be beneficial to the growth of Guquko,” said Phumzile. ”The company has started trading and with the Robe Spiiders currently high in demand on shows, their units are out already creating revenue.” Duncan Riley of DWR says, “Phumzile was wi
USA - Automation and motion control manufacturer Kinesys will exhibit at LDI for the first time on its own booth - 843 - where they will be creating a strong presence with an international team and an eye-catching design showing a selection of key products which will be moving and working in situ. Having focussed on building brand presence in the U.S. in recent years, which has included attending the last few LDIs and walking the floor, the next phase in that strategy explained founder and CEO Dave Weatherhead, “is to put ourselves right in front of potential customers, for which LDI - attracting a wide cross-section of high quality decision makers and influencers - is a perfect opportunity”. Kinesys will be showing their new Apex system which incorporates the best of Kinesys’ extensive experience working with variable speed chain hoists. Apex offers a range of s
USA - ESTA and USITT has announced the session line-up for the New World Rigging Symposium taking place 13-14 March 2018 in conjunction with the USITT Conference and Stage Expo 2018 in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. In these 10 sessions, participants will be given the opportunity to further their technical knowledge, keep up to date with codes and standards, and learn what it’s like to work as a rigger in other segments of the entertainment industry. Attendees will also hear from experts in related fields. Full session descriptions can be found at www.esta.org/nwrs_sessions. The keynote address will be delivered by Scott Fisher, with the programme including: Show Rigging on Cruise Ships. Big ideas. Tiny venues; Ground Support Concert Rigs; ANSI Standards and ICOPER. Paperwork that’s actually useful; OSHA, Risk Assessments and Rigging Emergency Action P
USA - Tomcat USA has appointed Carmen Savarese as a sales & marketing director. Carmen has served as global business developer and chief operating officer during her 11 years in the entertainment industry and will use this experience to grow and expand the Tomcat and James Thomas Engineering truss brands in the Americas and internationally. She will add “a new, dynamic element to the already well established and successful Tomcat and JTE teams”, says the company. (Jim Evans)
USA - Little Ceasars Arena in Detroit opened in September, with nearly 1,700 custom LED strip lights from Elation Professional mounted to the venue’s vast wire grid. Designed by HOK architects, the $863m, 20,000-seat arena is part of District Detroit, a major new development in the city centre. Lighting and multi-media design firm, Illuminating Concepts (IC), was the lighting designer on the project, responsible for lighting the public spaces through to the theatrical lighting in the bowl. The dynamic ceiling is just one part of the arena’s large integrated lighting network in which all lighting is interconnected – indoors and out – to act as one themed environment. Illuminating Concept’s design for the arena uses lighting to create a space that engages, guides visitors, creates moods and disseminates advertiser information. IC brought in production d
