Business

Details

11 June 2024

Vietnam - EM Acoustics has announced a new addition to its international sales and support network with the appointment of Danmon Asia as exclusive distributor for Vietnam.

The agreement covers EM Acoustics’ entire product portfolio which includes point source loudspeakers, line arrays, subwoofers, stage monitors and related electronics.

“Danmon Asia is renowned for its long experience and proven expertise in delivering high quality products and services across the entire media production and presentation sector,” comments Greg Clarke, brand manager at EM Acoustics. “We look forward to working with Bjarne and his colleagues in promoting our full spectrum of products and services to potential customers and system integrators throughout Vietnam.”  

“EM Acoustics products are globally recognised for pristine sound quality, robust c

Details

11 June 2024

On The Campaign Trail - Academics and campaigners have warned that a Conservative Party election pledge to close "rip-off" degrees could damage the creative sector and access to the arts. Their concerns follow Rishi Sunak’s recent pledge that the Conservatives would scrap university degrees deemed to equip graduates with "poor" job prospects if his party was re-elected on 4 July.

The Conservative Party said that closing the "worst-performing" degrees could save more than £900 million by 2030, with the money set to fund 100,000 apprenticeships per year instead.  Although the government has not said which courses are threatened, campaigners and university lecturers have expressed concern that Sunak’s commitment would further damage arts education and, as a result, weaken the arts sector as a whole and make it "the sole preserve of the privileged".

Details

10 June 2024

Europe - Fulcrum Acoustic has announced the addition of CBK Group as exclusive distribution partner for the Nordics, covering Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Denmark. CBK will distribute the full catalogue of Fulcrum Acoustic and Fulcrum Immersive products across their territories.

Val Gilbert, director of business development for export at Fulcrum Acoustic, comments, “CBK is a fantastic partner for Fulcrum Acoustic in the Nordics. Our ambitions to develop a solutions-based business in the region are perfectly aligned, and the team at CBK have hit the ground running managing opportunities across their territories. The in-house skillset is exactly what we are looking for, and I look forward to expanding our reach in the region.”

Per Øystein Berglund, product manager audio at CBK Group, adds, “Fulcrum Acoustic is a fantastic addition to CBK Group

Details

07 June 2024

UK - The Association of British Theatre Technicians (ABTT) and British Association for Performing Arts Medicine (BAPAM) has announced the launch of a resource dedicated to fostering good physical health for backstage practitioners in the theatre sector.

The initiative champions healthy practices for backstage workers in the theatre and live production sector, where over 70% of the workforce identify as freelance workers. The two organisations, which have been collaborating since 2018, launched an infographic at the ABTT Theatre Show in London on 6 June.

Drawing on the ABTT’s deep understanding of the sector and BAPAM’s clinical expertise in health and wellbeing, the infographic uses the mnemonic S.T.A.G.E. C.R.E.W. Each letter highlights key actions workers can take to maintain physical health and well-being and minimise the risk of injury or chr

Details

07 June 2024

Germany - PRG EMEA is adding to its extensive lighting technology line-up with investment in the new ORON H2, becoming one of the first customers worldwide to have the IP65 hybrid moving head with phosphor-laser engine in its portfolio.

"The ORON H2 is a laser moving head with unique lighting options," says Udo Willburger, CEO of PRG AG. "While working in close cooperation with Cameo, we were able to use our specialist market view to support the engineers throughout the various development stages and fully test the ORON H2 during extensive visits to the Adam Hall Group’s Experience Centre. Here we also had the opportunity to discuss all the details with lighting designers and product specialists from Cameo.

“With its IP65 rating, this moving head not only offers flexible deployment, but also reduces our operational costs. For us, the ORON H2 is a

Details

06 June 2024

Poland - DirectOut has announced that Commercial Audio is now its exclusive distributor in Poland.

“We are delighted to welcome Commercial Audio as our new distribution partner in Poland,” says Jan Ehrlich, managing director of DirectOut. “Their extensive industry knowledge and commitment to the highest quality and excellent customer service makes them the perfect partner for DirectOut. Together we want to offer our Polish customers the best audio solutions.”

Commercial Audio has established itself as a reliable partner in the professional audio industry and already provides exclusive distribution services for well-known brands such as Amadeus Active Acoustics, Solid State Logic, ATC Loudspeakers, Bose Professional, Clear-Com, Marian Audio and Harrison Audio. The company is known for its expertise in the implementation of audio signal infrast

Details

06 June 2024

Portugal - 1 Sound has partnered with Bluemix Sistemas Audio Visuais for distribution in Portugal. Founded in 2015, by Jorge da Fonseca, who has been in the market for over 30 years, Bluemix is committed to developing, designing, and implementing personalised audio, video, and acoustic solutions to meet the independent needs of each client.

Leonardo D’Andrea, 1 Sound’s EMEA sales executive, recently visited Bluemix offering brand support and training for the 1 Sound catalogue.

“We are very excited to have the opportunity to bring 1 Sound to Portugal, which we are sure will be a great success,” says Jorge da Fonseca. “These excellent products offer us the opportunity to provide an excellent experience to our customers. With a distinctive premium design and extraordinary sound, we look forward to continuing a strong partnership. We want to th

Details

06 June 2024

Portugal - Europalco has announced the achievement of ISO 20121 certification for sustainability performance across its corporate events.

The ISO 20121 standard, established by the International Organisation for Standardization (ISO), is a global framework for improving sustainable event organisation practices. Its main objective is to help organisations elevate sustainability throughout the event management process.  

This certification highlights Europalco's focus on sustainability throughout its operations, which means adherence to strict criteria for sustainable event management. These standards prioritise the mitigation of environmental, social and economic impact, as well as ensuring the safety of events.

For the Portuguese provider, the certification reflects its commitment to several principles, such as a sustainable approach, brand

Details

06 June 2024

UK - BioPak has announced its collaboration with Live Nation UK, offering a deal for all traders and crew caterers at its UK festivals and outdoor concerts this summer.

The initiative is in line with Green Nation, Live Nation’s global sustainability arm, which sets out sustainability goals for all Live Nation-owned and operated venues, clubs, theatres, and festivals. Their primary targets are reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030 and phasing out the use of single-use plastics. As part of this ongoing commitment, all items used must be either reusable, renewable, certified compostable, or, if unavoidable, made from at least 30% recycled content.

The deal gives traders and crew caterers a discount on compliant, certified compostable foodservice packaging at any Live Nation UK or Festival Republic events between May and August 2024.

Details

05 June 2024

Singapore - L-Acoustics and global logistics provider Geodis have opened their new regional distribution centre in Singapore - the loudspeaker manufacturer’s first such centre in the Asia Pacific region.

“Our mission is to strengthen our ties with clients, creating a hub from which we can provide ideal support,” explains Tim Zhou, CEO APAC at L-Acoustics. “The new warehouse will enable elevated customer service and faster delivery for their important projects.”

All L-Acoustics solutions are manufactured in Europe and prior to the opening of the Singapore distribution centre, orders for customers in the Asia Pacific region were fulfilled from France. The new centre will allow the company to better support clients throughout the region, shortening delivery times and streamlining the supply chain.

L-Acoustics and Geodis have grown a gl

Details

04 June 2024

France - Showlight, the much-loved quadrennial networking event organised by and for lighting professionals, will return in May 2025 when it will visit the city of Dijon in France.

Highly regarded by the lighting industry, Showlight combines three days of eclectic talks with a great social programme, a sponsored student scheme and unique opportunities for manufacturers and lighting designers alike to network in a relaxed and non-pressured environment. Peripatetic by nature, the event moves from country to country for each edition.

With renowned French followspot manufacturer Robert Juliat as the headline sponsor of the 2025 event, Showlight will head to Le Parc des Expositions et Congrès de Dijon from 19-22 May 2025.

Located at the centre of France’s Burgundy region - the vineyards of which were recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site a

Details

04 June 2024

Japan - K-array has announced a new distribution partnership with Audio Brains Co., in Japan.

Since its founding in 2007, Audio Brains has established a robust reputation for importing, selling, and maintaining audio and communication equipment. Recognized Audio Brains caters to a wide array of clients, including large music venues such as stadiums and halls, live music companies, audio firms, conference facilities, and educational institutions.

In celebration of this new partnership, a dedicated showroom featuring K-array’s products will be opened in Yoyogi, located in the vibrant Shinjuku area of Tokyo. This modern showroom will provide clients with the opportunity to experience K-array’s advanced audio solutions firsthand.

“We are excited to partner with Audio Brains, a company that shares our passion for superior audio technology an

Details

04 June 2024

UK - Lighting rental company Lite Alternative has consolidated its commitment to Kinesys automation technology with the recent purchase of 15 x Apex half ton hoists and a Mentor 4 controller.

Lite Alt is one of a number of UK customers transitioning from their existing Elevation systems, choosing to continue investing in Kinesys for their future automation needs. Lite Alt’s new Apex system has already been used on tour with the Arctic Monkeys and Niall Horan.

Both productions were designed by Lite Alt’s Paul Normandale who put automation at the heart of the show visuals. Paul is known for his innovative show designs and for thinking out of the box when creating lively and interesting performance environments.

Having invested in Kinesys for at least the last 15 years with the Elevation series, both Paul and Lite Alt’s technical and autom

Details

04 June 2024

Carbon Footprint - In 2021, Coldplay announced a 12-point plan to cut the carbon footprint of touring by 50%. Now, they've given an update on their progress, saying the first two years of their Music of the Spheres tour saw a 59% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions compared with their previous world tour.

They have used things like a dancefloor that generates electricity when fans jump up and down and have cut down on air travel. They have also revealed that seven million saplings have been planted as part of a commitment to grow a tree for every fan attending the shows.

"As a band, and as an industry, we’re a long way from where we need to be on this," they said in a statement. "But we’re grateful for everyone’s help so far, and we salute everyone who’s making efforts to push things in the right direction."

Among the devel

Details

03 June 2024

UK - Brand experience technologists, Audience & Brands, and drone display company, AeroAVA, announced an innovation in live event technology at The Media Production & Technology Show in London.

The two UK-based companies unveiled Augmented Drone Shows, a concept that ‘elevates drone performances into a captivating mixed reality experience for live event broadcast audiences’.

Audience & Brands has worked with AeroAVA to introduce the ability to live track, generate and overlay digital content accurately, in real-time.

Tom Rees, AeroAVA managing director, said, “This innovation offers a never-seen-before enhancement to existing drone shows, specifically for broadcast viewers.” Rees continues, “Taking multiple live camera feeds, our system combines drone telemetry data, high performance media servers and very accurate align

Details

30 May 2024

India - Proel has confirmed announces its entry into the Indian market. Headquartered in Sant'Omero, Italy, Proel offers a diverse portfolio of 10 brands encompassing professional audio, commercial audio, conferencing systems, lighting, stage equipment, musical instruments, and associated accessories. The company has strategically positioned itself globally, with offices in the USA, UK, Tunisia, South Korea, and now, India.  

The decision to invest in India is a testament to Proel's commitment to expansion and growth in emerging markets.

The Indian operations are based in Bangalore led by Nagaraj Mallikarjun and the sales team in Delhi, which is led by Shantanu Banerjee. There are plans underway to establish a presence in Mumbai shortly. “This strategic move has been in development for three years, culminating in a state-of-the-art warehousing an

Details

29 May 2024

Europe - HOF has added Megalight to its distribution network as a new sales partner for Belgium. Megalight has more than 30 years of experience in lighting, sound and rigging.

Juan de Walque, sales manager at Megalight, says: ‘We are known for our excellent industry knowledge and our close relationships with our customers. This enables us to offer our customers high-quality products from well-known brands. HOF's innovative and high-quality products fit in perfectly with this.’

Edwin Duivelaar, export & sales manager at HOF, adds: ‘Megalight is recognised as a successful and important supplier on the Belgian market. I am sure that the HOF products will be a successful addition to the existing portfolio.’

Megalight will distribute the HOF MLT Pre Rig Truss Series, HOF Standard Trusses, XOOP Lighting and CJS Couplers.

Details

29 May 2024

UK - fac365 is an audio hire company based in Greater Manchester with an open-door policy for local engineers. Providing bespoke solutions is at the centre of the company’s ethos and when the opportunity came along to branch out into the live touring market the whole team knew the fully loaded DiGiCo Quantum 338 with Pulse software was the console to let them shine.

So much so, they bought two, along with two fully loaded SD Racks. fac365 has been operating successfully since it was established in 2009 by managing director Mike Hayes.

Expansion is now very much on their minds. The purchase of two DiGiCo Quantum 338 consoles has been powered not only by client demand, but at the request of their engineers. Since the early days of the company Mike has encouraged open, collaborative thinking and collective decision making. This atmosphere of inclusion

Details

29 May 2024

UK - The Web3 Music Association (W3M), a new music industry trade body facilitating industry-wide research and development, has announced its official launch and manifesto. 

W3M brings together entities from the music, finance and technology sectors to ‘collaborate, explore and harness advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain and mixed reality’.

Leading W3M are president & CEO Sergio Mottola, a business leader with expertise in finance, advanced technologies, and international regulation frameworks, and Charlie Rapino, record industry veteran and currently VP of A&R and communications at Artist First, who has been appointed vice president. W3M’s executive vice president of music, Giulia Maresca, chief of staff and Katy Campbell, EVP of ecosystem, are also joining the leadership team.

W3M’s advisory bo

Details

29 May 2024

New Zealand - TES (Technical Event Solutions) is a full production service and rental company based in Christchurch and they were the first such enterprise to invest in Robe Esprite moving lights.

TES prides itself on delivering quality streamlined event solutions and technical services including broadcast, all from one proactive and busy facility in Woolston.

The company was started in 2017 by Alex Wilson, initially working from a 12 x 6m storage unit, and now occupies a 1000sq,m warehouse with 15 full time staff.

Alex’s background is in stage lighting while his business partner Brett Armstrong comes from the world of broadcast AV and IT.

TES grew throughout the covid period partly by being open minded and pivoting to embrace new technologies and services including streaming. “I have a brilliant team here, and we can all multitas

Details

28 May 2024

UK - boxxtoff is a new flightcase design and manufacturing company based in Manchester and part of the tube uk community. It is a fully autonomous operation producing ‘practical bespoke casing solutions for all types of production related kit’.

Dave Peacock – well-known on the Manchester flightcase scene – heads up the new enterprise, bringing around 35 years industry experience, contacts and an inventive approach to case making.

After a successful career and running several businesses, Dave took a break from the world of flightcasing and joined the team at tube uk two years ago.

Dave initially offered to make a couple of ingenious cases for tube’s Pioneer CDJ kits as a bit of a side hustle, which proved to be “simply fantastic products designed by someone who knows exactly what those using them need to make life simple and keep e

Details

28 May 2024

UK - The Profile Awards theatre category shortlist in association with the ABTT and the ALPD and sponsored by Chauvet, Elation, ETC, Fix8group, GLP, SLX, TSL and Vari-Lite, has been confirmed.

The shortlisted lighting designers for theatre are:

Robbie Butler for Death in Venice, Welsh National Opera and tour

Emma Chapman for The Third Man, Menier Chocolate Factory

Jon Clark for Dear England, and The Motive and the Cue, National Theatre & West End; The Effect, National Theatre; Stranger Things – The First Shadow, West End

Paule Constable for Guys and Dolls, The Bridge

Lee Curran for Romeo and Juliet, The Almeida and King Lear, The Almeida

Jon Driscoll for Symphony of Sorrowful Songs, English National Opera

Oli

Details

28 May 2024

UK - Entec Live has extended its long-term partnership with d&b audiotechnik by making a substantial investment in its large format three-way GSL line array system.

Entec head of sound, Dan Scantlebury, a long-term advocate of the brand, authorised the purchase of a significant system to complement their existing, smaller footprint KSL system. They have boosted their hire fleet with the addition of 32 GSL8 enclosures and eight GSL12, while at the same time adding a further 14 SL Subwoofers. Completing the purchase is an additional 28 D80s, taking their inventory of these powerful four-channel amplifiers into the hundreds.

Explaining the rationale, Scantlebury said the decision became axiomatic once he was convinced that the rental company would have the workflow to support such a level of investment. In the event, the new system was shipped out i

Details

28 May 2024

The Netherlands - In late April, CAS Exhibition Partners took delivery of 250 KL PAR FC LED PAR lights from Elation for use in the leading exhibition contractor’s many stand builds across Europe.

Useful in setting the ambiance of an exhibition stand, reinforcing a theme, and adding depth and dimension to enhance the overall visual appeal of a space, the new full-colour-spectrum lights can also play more functional roles like highlighting products, signage and displays. Either way, the KL PAR FC’s high colour quality and adaptability will serve to captivate visitors and reinforce brand imaging for CAS customers.

CAS Exhibition Partners offers full-service exhibition build services and takes pride in their commitment to innovation and improvement. That dedication includes ensuring the overall quality of stand lighting by maintaining their own high-