USA - Country superstar Jason Aldean is back on the road with Bandit Lites for his Night Train Tour. The stadium tour kicked off 21 February in Bossier City, LA and will continue through September.

"It's bigger than anything we've ever had out there," Aldean revealed to Country Weekly. "It's completely revamped from last year."

Lighting designer Aaron Swetland began working with Aldean in 2008 and received the illustrious CMA SRO Lighting Designer of the Year Award for his work on Jason Adlean's 2012 tour, meaning the expectations were a bit high, even if only in his mind.

"There's always the kind of mentality where you want to outdo yourself," Swetland said.

To achieve that feat, Swetland's lighting design consists of a basic upstage and

Germany - Pro audio company Rain Age has added a further 10 Lab.gruppen PLM Series amplifiers to their extensive inventory, reaffirming the company's faith in the technology available from Lab.gruppen and Lake.

The company - based in Landsberg, Germany - has built up a well-respected reputation over the past 15 years, providing full service production capability to a large number and variety of events, from club concerts to large scale arena shows.

The new purchase of PLM Series amplifiers - which come integrated with Lake Processing - complements the company's existing stock of Lab.gruppen FP+ amplifiers and Lake LM Series devices.

Marc Greiss, head of audio at Rain Age, has decades of experience in the live music industry, and for him, the decision to purchase new kit from Lab.gruppen was an easy one. "Of course, the choice of amplifiers is very important for a good s

UK - Loughborough-based conference and event production company Event Engineering has recently upgraded its audio inventory to ensure that it continues to deliver the excellence that its high profile corporate clients demand. This new equipment has included a Yamaha CL series digital console.

Supplied by SSE Audio Group, Event Engineering invested in a CL3 console and Rio3224-D i/o unit after the company's operations manager, Jim Brown, attended a demonstration day at SSE's Redditch headquarters.

"We are convinced that the CL series will become the standard conference desk, due to its high input count and compact form factor," says Brown. "The CL3 surface was our choice as the perfect balance of size vs input faders. Additionally, the system's Dante networking gives us great scope for distributing audio inputs and outputs. The multitrack recording facility is al

China - Southern China's largest ever pro audio and lighting show ProSound + Light Guangzhou will take place from 9 to 12 March 2013 at the China Import and Export Fair Pazhou Complex in Guangzhou, China's largest pro audio and lighting manufacturing base.

Jointly organised by Guangdong International Science and Technology Exhibition Company (STE) and Messe Frankfurt, this year's show is expecting more than 45,000 visitors to source from 910 suppliers representing China, France, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea and Taiwan.

Commenting on the record breaking number of exhibitors, Mr Hanrong Wu, director for Guangdong International Science and Technology Exhibition Company said, "The overwhelming response proves that over the past 10 years the show has successfully developed into a prominent sourcing and knowledge platform held in high regard by the industry."

Representing Mes

Germany - With the launch of the new d:facto II Vocal Microphone, which will be on show for the first time in Europe at Prolight + Sound 2013 (Booth 8.B60), DPA Microphones has now broadened its range of products for the live stage.

In addition to use with the new wired DPA handle, the d:facto II provides singers and engineers with the added benefit of a state-of-the-art adapter system that allows for seamless integration with many professional wireless systems, says the company.

"The launch of the d:facto II Vocal Microphone is a major step for DPA as it means that we now have a microphone for every acoustic miking situation, whether you are amplifying or recording," says DPA's CEO Christian Poulsen. "Our highly regarded Reference Standard microphones have long delivered superb audio quality to musicians who want to use a microphone on a stand, while our innova

UK - In an effort to drive the movement toward a common protocol for audio networking, Calrec has joined the AVnu Alliance, the industry consortium dedicated to the development and promotion of a professional-quality streaming standard for networked audio and video content based on the IEEE 802.1 Audio Video Bridging (AVB) standards.

"The AVB standard addresses Ethernet's most serious shortcomings as a transport for streaming audio," said Calrec technical director Patrick Warrington. "We know a lot about audio networking and have already brought two solutions to the table because we want to ensure that our customers' needs are well-represented in the new protocol."

"We are very pleased to welcome a broadcast audio leader like Calrec to AVnu Alliance," said Lee Minich, AVnu Alliance Marketing Work Group chair and president of Lab X Technologies. &q

Sweden - A.C. Entertainment Technologies (AC-ET) has announced that Håkan Berg will be working with their international sales team as regional sales representative.

Based in Sweden, Berg will be using his 20 years of experience within the entertainment technology industry to promote the company's wide range of key and exclusive entertainment technology brands.

Berg comments, "I am proud to be working with AC-ET, a company I have always known as one of the strongest names in the entertainment technology business. I am delighted to be able to introduce the wide range of Lighting, Audio, Video and Rigging products that AC-ET offer into the Swedish market."

AC-ET's managing director, Phill Capstick comments, "AC-ET continues to develop our International business by offering cutting edge products, competitive prices, and excellent service to our global client base

South Africa - Stage Audio Works has opened a new regional operations office in Cape Town, in order to better handle clients located in both the Western and Eastern Cape regions. The new base will offer these clients a more direct link to Stage Audio Works' comprehensive turnkey product portfolio, the company says.

Stage Audio Works' territory manager, Jerome Gideon, said the company is "now well positioned to support [their] Western and Eastern Cape partners and customers and the new office is an exciting milestone for growth showing our investment and confidence in the future of the territory."

The office will include a fully equipped showroom and large warehouse for stock holding and distribution. The showroom will include digital signage and interactive displays, video walls, retail and commercial lighting and energy management systems - as well as a host of publ

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USA - Arup and Artec have announced the integration of their practices, with immediate effect. The move combines two of the world's premier practices specialising in the planning, design, and engineering of venues for performing arts, contemporary entertainment, education, conference, convention, sports and worship venues.

"Our expanded team offers clients around the world unrivalled knowledge, experience, skills and cutting-edge tools to plan and design innovative venues for the 21st century," says Raj Patel, Principal, Americas Arts and Culture Business Leader, speaking on behalf of Arup.

Tateo Nakajima, principal, former Partner at Artec, commented: "Joining forces with Arup enhances our collective ability to provide highly specialist skills anywhere in the world, through the resources of a large, global organisation, serving projects of any scale, with the b

China - JoeCo has announced the appointment of Advanced Communication Equipment International Co. Ltd (ACE) as the new distributor for the BlackBox Recorder and Player in China, Hong Kong and Macau. Headquartered in Hong Kong, with regional offices in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, ACE has over 30 years of experience in distribution, consultancy and system integration. The company adds JoeCo's BlackBox family of multi-channel live audio recorders and players to an extensive portfolio of pro audio, AV and lighting products.

"We are extremely pleased to welcome ACE to our distributor network" says Joe Bull, JoeCo's managing director. "The company has a wealth of experience in different market sectors, which is key to establishing the JoeCo brand in this vast and as yet untapped region. We look forward to working closely with the team to develop our future business

India - Turbosound's active/passive two-way TCS-122/64 speakers and TXD-218 dual 18" subwoofers have been installed in one of India's most prestigious private schools.

Three pairs of 60°h x 40°v dispersion TCS-122/64 are on FOH duties in St Helena's Girls School in Pune - dubbed 'the Oxford of the East' - and the second largest city in the Indian state of Maharashtra after Mumbai. Two pairs are affixed to each side of the stage in the school's impressive new auditorium, with a further pair centre stage to cater to the front rows.

In addition, two Turbosound TXD-218 dual 18" front-loaded subwoofers have been placed in each corner of the stage providing full bandwidth down to 30Hz with excellent front to back rejection.

Stage monitoring is handled by four Turbosound Milan M15 powered two-way loudspeakers, which deliver a whopping 450 watts of super-clean powe

UK - New sessions have been added to the free programme of seminars, demonstrations and tutorials taking place at PLASA Focus: Leeds 2013, at the Royal Armouries at Clarence Dock, only a short distance from the centre of Leeds, West Yorkshire, on Tuesday 30 April and Wednesday 1 May 2013.

In addition to a two-hall exhibition of the latest entertainment technology products, visitors can check out the PLASA Professional Development Programme which offers over 20 free-to-attend sessions presented by some of the most talented names in pro audio, lighting and video.

Getting a Foot in the Door is presented by Alchemea's head of live sound, Darryn de la Soul. Aimed at engineers at the beginning of their careers, this seminar is a down-to-earth look at the skill sets expected and the challenges that await a newcomer to the industry.

Working from the premise that there is alwa

UK - Glastonbury Festival impresario Michael Eavis will be helping UK trade distributor Batmink Ltd celebrate its 30th Anniversary by holding an open forum Q & A session during Batmink's forthcoming week of free professional workshops and training (18-23 March)

These workshops are designed to provide useful 'hands on' experience and core skills and will be presented by some of the industry's foremost companies, says Batmink.

During the week, representatives from manufacturers such as Pioneer, Martin Audio, Cloud, Le Maitre, Shure, Audio Technica and Sennheiser will be conducting presentations on subjects including pyrotechnics, production and installed sound and lighting, signal processing, wireless regulations and providing certified training on Zero 88 lighting desks.

The Batmink team will be supplementing this with daily workshops covering subjects such as an introduction

USA - Philip Lunas has joined the staff of J. R. Clancy, Inc., as the company's financial manager.

Lumas will serve on the Clancy leadership team and will report directly to president Michael Murphy. He brings 15 years of progressive finance experience to his new position, stemming from his years as senior financial analyst at Pall Corporation in Cortland, NY.

In addition to his finance responsibilities, Lumas will also manage all human resources functions and serve as the company's information technology point of contact. He holds a Master of Business Administration degree from Syracuse University, and lives in Cortland with his wife and son.

(Jim Evans)

USA - "These things are awesome" said 44 Designs Clayton Thornton following their delivery of Le Mark's custom printed cable labels.

Ordered in to brand and identify 44 Designs vast cable inventory, Clayton Thornton continued, "We had a lot of cable in our inventory that came pre-fabricated and the thought of re-soldering an end on each of them was a bit overwhelming. Being able to brand cables we have in stock already was a major selling point."

Based in Nashville, TN, the team at 44 Designs share over 25 years combined experience in lighting, touring, rentals, and production, working together to bring a mix of individual talents to each project. This knowledge and experience carries over when looking for products that help brand and visually represent their companies equipment.

Le Mark's export manager Matt Every added, "The simplicity of our cable

Germany - Philips Entertainment will be promoting all four of its entertainment technology brands at this year's Prolight + Sound exhibition in Frankfurt in Hall 11, stand no D73.

Selecon, Vari-Lite, Strand Lighting and Showline will each be displaying the latest in lighting technology at the exhibition - one of the biggest and busiest in Europe.

Philips will also debut the latest in the LED illumination revolution, Showline. A complete range of super-efficient, feature-rich, professional entertainment LED luminaires, the Showline SL BAR 640 and 660, SL BAR 520, SL PAR 150 ZOOM, and the all new SL BAND 310 will be on full display as part of a well-planned family designed specifically for the entertainment lighting industry. In addition, a totally new Showline LED concept will be unveiled at the exhibition.

All Showline products utilise homogenized RGBW LEDs, built in effects

Germany - GUIL, one of the major European companies dedicated to the manufacturing of lifting towers, stages, and stands and structures for the audio and lighting industry, celebrates 30 years as a leader in innovation and technological advancements within the entertainment industry.

Since the beginning, GUIL has focused on developing high quality products, allowing them to help over 5000 companies around the world in the improvement and increased efficiency of their events.

Their continued growth and enthusiasm over these three decades have meant that GUIL is now a reputable brand, with its evolution concentrating on the design and manufacturing of products which meet the ever changing needs of professionals in the industry, both now and for the future.

GUIL will once again be exhibiting their products at the Prolight & Sound trade fair which takes place from the 10-13 Apri

USA - Lighting designer Cory FitzGerald added eleven Robe Robin MMX Spots to his design for the most recent US leg of Cat Power's current world tour, which is promoting her highly acclaimed album, Sun.

The fixtures were supplied by Los Angeles based VER, who has recently become a valued supporter of the new Robin MMX series.

While on the road the lightshow was looked after by lighting operator Chris Smith.

Prior to this tour, Los Angeles-based Fitzgerald had not used any Robe products however he decided to use the MMX Spots after a spectacular demo from VER.

"They were great! I love the effects and gobos and they are generally excellent lights," he comments, adding that they were also completely reliable throughout the duration of their time on the tour!

Ten MMX Spots were rigged over the stage on front and back trusses. The eleventh was set on the floor

UK - Hawthorn, one of the UK's largest suppliers of technical and event services has annouinced the acquisition of Anagram, another well respected supplier to the event, conference and exhibition industries.

Currently employing more than 100 full-time members of staff, working across all industry sectors, Hawthorn boasts an annual turnover of £9m, whilst the Anagram team stands at 15 and turns over £3mper annum. Anagram will now dry hire equipment from their base in Cambridge, adding to Hawthorn's existing bases in both the Midlands and London.

Hawthorn's managing director, Martin Hawthorn, said, "This is an exciting opportunity for everyone within the group, allowing us all to open new doors, pool resources and develop existing relationships. There are many synergies between the two companies, bringing them together under one umbrella increases our knowledge,

UAE - The second Dynamic Events conference is taking place in Dubai this weekend. With an impressive number of delegates already registered to attend from all over the world, there are now only a few places remaining, and the organisers are hoping for a capacity audience, announcing that it will be possible to 'turn up on the day'.

The focus of the conference will provide insight into how complex one-off mega events - for a live audience and for broadcast to a global audience, are orchestrated by the backstage production teams.

The keynote on the second day of Dynamic Events will be given by David Atkins, DAE Global.

"Given the calibre and status of the attendees and my fellow speakers, The Dynamic Events Conference will clearly have a significant influence on the industry and I am very excited to be taking part in this most prestigious event," says Atkins.

Along

UK - AED Distribution has announced the opening of a new AED Distribution UK facility, based out of their existing AED Rent premises in High Wycombe - to be headed by David March, as sales director.

AED Distribution UK says it will provide distribution for a cohesive range of entertainment technology brands, underpinned with professional logistics and order processing, supported by the AED Group Solutions. The range will initially include CM Entertainment Technology, Prolyte (including the four complementary but independent brands of Litestructures, Prolyte Structures, StageDex and ProLyft), GLP lighting, MDG foggers, High End Systems' Hog 4 control family, Fenix lifting towers, Swisson DMX solutions and sine wave dimming, SRS motor controllers, dimmers and power distribution, plus hardware from Manfrotto and Doughty.

Formerly director of European Sales for Philips Vari-Lite a

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