USA - ESTA and USITT have announce 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. The Symposium will provide an opportunity for riggers and those interested in the live entertainment rigging industry to network, discuss current issues and new technologies, and help shape the future of the industry. In 10 sessions over two days, participants will be given a wide range of opportunities 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 such as structural engineering and risk management. The Symposium will carry ETCP education renewal credits for re-certification. The New World Rigging Sy
Iceland - J&C Joel has confirmed a new partnership with Exton who are now their bronze dealer in Iceland. Exton was established in 1992 and is the market leader in A/V rentals and sales in Iceland; providing rental of audio, lighting, video, stage and rigging equipment from simple systems up to full production packages. As well as being the premiere rental company in the region Exton also sells audio, video and lighting equipment and offers an integration service which provides design and installation for any kind of broadcast, audio, video or lighting project. They will offer J&C Joel’s fabrics, drapery and stage engineering solutions along with their bespoke design, manufacturing and installation services as a complimentary solution to their already established products and services. Exton’s director, Sigurjón Sigurðsson, said: “We look f
USA - ESTA’s Happy Hour to benefit Behind the Scenes returns for its fourth year as one of the biggest parties of the year and will take place on Thursday, 16 November 1from 6pm-8pm at the Havana Room located in the Tropicana Hotel. Tickets are $65 in advance and are on sale now at www.behindthescenescharity.org/btshh. The Happy Hour features an open bar, hors d’oeuvres and music with all ticket sales going to benefit Behind the Scenes, our industry’s only charity specifically for entertainment technology professionals in need due to illness or injury. Since its inception in 2014, ESTA’s Happy Hour for Behind the Scenes has raised over $160,000 in sponsorships and ticket sales. Sponsorships are available at all levels. Information on how to become a sponsor is available online at www.esta.org or by emailing btshh@esta.org. Current sponsors for the 2017
Australia - Novatech Creative Event Technology is the first rental company in Australia to take delivery of L-Acoustics new SYVA Colinear audio system. Building on L-Acoustics line source heritage, SYVA is a wide dispersion audio system “with exceptional throw in a streamlined designed plug and play package”. SYVA made its debut on the high-profile Telstra Business Awards at the Adelaide Oval’s Magarey Room on 11 July 2017. With a dramatic stage set consisting of stage wide scenic imagery and backdrop, SYVA discretely nestled into the side of stage with minimum presence and impact on the look of the room. Nick Gates, audio engineer for Novatech Creative Event Technology commented: “The L-Acoustics SYVA absolutely excelled for this application. Its wide dispersion angle and consistent off-axis response eliminated the need for nearfield elements on stage lips and
USA - On Thursday, 17 August 2017, Clear-Com, DPA Microphones, Lectrosonics, Sound Devices, and K-Tek, will host The Sound Summit Seattle at the Columbia City Theatre in Seattle. This event is part of The Sound Summit series of informal networking and educational presentations for audio professionals to gather, collaborate, and discuss their techniques and tools for audio production. With the cooperation of some of the industry’s most well-respected audio professionals, attendees will benefit from a one-on-one social experience with members of the community as well as these leading manufacturers who specialize in audio production. Clear-Com, DPA Microphones, Lectrosonics, Sound Devices, and K-Tek will also showcase their newest products, including Clear-Com’s FreeSpeak II wireless intercom system; DPA’s d:vice digital audio interface; Lectrosonics’ Duet Digita
UK - Atlona’s success in the UK residential/custom install market has been bolstered by the professionalism of RGB Communications, which has helped raise visibility of Atlona residential products and solutions in the region. Building on this success, Atlona has announced that RGB’s distribution role will be expanded to support commercial sales, effective immediately. “Atlona is already well-known for their superb range of switchers, matrix switchers, distribution amplifiers, and more,” said Gordon Innocent, chairman, RGB Communications. “However, with the advent of its new Huddle Room and Soft Codec solutions, OmniStream AV over IP range, and the company’s recently-announced Velocity cloud-based control system and wireless presentation solutions, we believe our extensive experience of more technically demanding ‘connectivity & control’ solutions makes us
Live and Kicking - More people are going to see live music than ever before, with attendance at concerts and festivals at an all-time high. The total gig-going audience soared by 12% to 30.9m in 2016, according to UK Music, contributing £4 billion to the country's economy. But there was a 13% drop in the amount of money being spent at small venues - those with a capacity of under 1,500. Those venues have been particularly under pressure in recent years. The chief executive of trade body UK Music, Michael Dugher, stressed that small venues were a "vital part of the live music industry". "UK Music will continue to campaign to safeguard smaller music venues, many of which are fighting for survival," added the former Labour MP. UK Music's Wish You Were Here report also found that 4m people attended a festival in 2016; and that 823,000 people travelled to the UK fro
Switzerland - AudioRent Clair AG has expanded its hire offering by adding two DiGiCo SD5s and an SD12, along with four SD-Racks which include 224 channels of DiGiCo’s new 32-bit Mic Pre-Amp. AudioRent Clair is one of the Swiss market leaders. As the European base of the Clair Global network, it is also part of the world’s largest concert touring operation and has an impressive roster of clients, including the Rolling Stones and U2, who all place their trust in the services of AudioRent Clair. Renown industrial companies including pharmaceutical corporation Novartis and financial services provider Baloise also count on the Basel-based company. To meet the high expectations of its client base, AudioRent Clair continually tests and evaluates the latest technologies and devices. “We are very happy and proud to see so many DiGiCo products, including the SD7, SD1
UK - PA Sound Systems in Elgin, Scotland has become the latest in a long line of companies to realise how quickly and easily KV2 Audio products can take their hire offerings to the next level. Run by brothers Jamie and Ryan, PA Sound Systems ventured to PLASA Focus, Glasgow to start looking at which route to take their hire business whilst also looking for new audio solutions for installation projects. The Anderson brothers pick up the story. “We were first made aware of KV2 Audio products at PLASA Focus in Glasgow. We had a chat with representatives of KV2 and left the show with brochures and the offer of a full demonstration, which we were really keen to follow up. “Just a few weeks after the show KV2 made the long journey up to see us in Elgin with a selection of equipment. We were looking for a scalable, versatile system that we could add to our hire stoc
UK - Arena Group, the international turnkey event design and delivery business this morning announced they will be listing their shares on the London Stock Exchange. The company is raising a total of approximately £60m from UK and international institutional investors and listing will help fund the future growth plans of the business. Arena Group provides managed solutions from concept and design through to the construction and delivery of temporary structures, seating and interiors for a host of major sporting, outdoor and leisure events around the world. Contracts range in size and complexity from a simple equipment rental for a local outdoor event, to an integrated solution of multiple structures and interiors for a major international sporting event. Arena Group is a global business with operations in the UK and Europe, Middle East and Asia and the Americas and c
Europe - Green Hippo has confirmed its agreement with Ampco Flashlight Group. Peter de Fouw, general manager of Ampco Flashlight Sales comments: "Green Hippo is a hugely important brand to us and by taking on this market-leading brand for distribution, opens up opportunities in new and innovative markets across the Benelux region. “More and more we see video applications being used in all major events and across many vertical markets such as theatre, live performance, installation and broadcast. We are honoured to be the new distributor for a leading brand such as Green Hippo, which is a welcome addition to the Ampco Flashlight portfolio.’’ James Roth, head of sales & marketing for Green Hippo said: “Reaching an agreement with Ampco is another major step towards securing and further growing our market position in Europe. For me, the timing of this is
South Africa - With the aim to make operators familiar with the functions of the dot2 lighting control console, the interface, main features of the software and operating philosophy, Jannie de Jager from DWR Distribution will be presenting dot2 User Training in Cape Town from 31 July to 1 August and in Durban from 3-4 August. The two-day course will cover groups, presets, storing cues, chases, effects and back up. Delegates are requested to supply their own dot2 console and laptop for the MA 3D Visualizer. Bookings can be made on line. Visit: http://dwrdistribution.co.za/register/dot2training-august/ (Jim Evans)
France - S Group has expanded its SSL stock with the purchase of two Live L200 consoles. S Group is a touring and events rental and systems integration specialist based in Alès, in the South of France. It was founded by CEO Leon Van Empel in 2001 and has since gone from strength to strength, building up an impressive portfolio of tours and festivals, and supplying everything from core sound and light systems to screens, rigging, and staging systems and support. The company took the audio lead back in 2013 when it invested in two SSL Live L500 consoles, initially for front of house and monitors duties on French R&B artist Amel Bent's tour. Since then, the L500s have been popular choices, being used on prestigious events such as the epic Les Prodiges and Musiques en Fête. Most recently, it has taken the lead again by adding a pair of L200s to its inventory, w
UK - As The BRIT School in Croydon, founded in 1991, and one of the first free performing and creative arts schools in the country, celebrates its 25th academic year, it is announced there will be a festival, called Back to BRIT on the school site at Selhurst on Saturday 15 July. The line-up on the day will feature successful alumni currently working across the creative sector including artists Imogen Heap, Natalie Stewart from Floetry, comedy group Mandem on the Wall (made up of BRIT graduates Joivan Wade and Percelle Ascott), dancers Twist and Pulse (Britain’s Got Talent finalists 2010), Khronos Agoria (Britain’s Got Talent semi-finalists 2016), The Good Wife star Cush Jumbo and DJ sets by Radio 1xtra DJ Ace and Kiss FM’s DJ Freddie Smith. The festival will showcase performances on various stages with the main stage under a circus b
South Africa - DiGiCo is reportedly taking South Africa by storm, and with this in mind, Kyle Robson from DWR Distribution will be presenting training in Cape Town and in Durban during July. The course aims to give users an overview of the new S21 digital mixing console and provide useful information and skills to better operate this console of choice. The course will be hosted at DWR Cape Town on the 24 and 25 July and at DWR Durban on the 27 and 28 July from 9am to 5pm each day and the cost fee is R850.00. Delegates are required to provide laptops with the offline editor. Bookings can be made on line. Visit: http://dwrdistribution.co.za/register/digico-training-july-2017/ (Jim Evans)
UK - Growing technical production company Subfrantic Production Services has used Yamaha mixing consoles throughout its existence, thanks to their reliability, quality and flexibility. The company has now invested in a flagship Rivage PM10 digital mixing system. London-based Subfrantic has steadily increased its profile in the UK and overseas production markets ever since it was founded in 1993, when digital mixing for large live shows was unheard of. “At that time Yamaha’s PM4000 was an industry standard, analogue Front of House console,” remembers managing director Steve Davies. “It was a rare treat to find yourself behind one, although quite the opposite to realise you had to get it up some stairs.” The 2001 launch of Yamaha’s digital PM1D set the live production industry on the path it continues along today. As Steve says, Yamaha was “the driving forc
Australia - Fohhn Audio AG has announced the appointment of CMI Music & Audio Pty Ltd as its first ever distributor for Australia. The new partnership agreement, which was signed, sealed and announced at this year’s Prolight & Sound in Frankfurt, results from three years of discussion between the two companies. “At Fohhn, we select our distribution partners very carefully, as it has to be right for both parties,” says sales & marketing director Uli Haug. “As CMI were also undergoing some restructuring, we decided to go ahead only when the time was completely right. It has, however, been worth the wait as CMI are not only thoroughly professional, but also have an honest, open-minded team who share our passion for audio.” The distribution appointment enables CMI to respond to the growing demand for loudspeaker systems with Beam Steering techn
UK/Australia - Mandylights has announced the company’s expansion into the UK, with the opening of a new office headed by UK designers Liam Tully and Tom Edwards. Operating since 2006 from Sydney, Australia, Mandylights has delivered lighting, visual and production design projects in over 50 countries across touring concert, broadcast, special event, theatre and corporate markets. The company’s recent touring and Vegas residency designs for the Backstreet Boys are recent additions to an impressive list of credits including multiple tours for artists including Ricky Martin, Taio Cruz, Cats - The Musical, China’s G.E.M. and numerous others. Mandylights has also designed shows for Dubai’s Burj Khalifa New Year’s Eve celebrations and the 15th anniversary main stage of Ultra Music Festival in addition to countless festivals and special events around the worl
Germany - In the course of the successful repositioning of the company, the Adam Hall Group is developing its global business development division. From 1 July, Bodo Falkenried’s team will be augmented by Alessio Foti, who has several years’ experience as brand manager for leading companies in the pro-audio sector, where his principal responsibilities included business development, product management and sales in Asia, the USA and Europe. Falkenried, head of global business development, comments: “As a fast-growing, innovative company with an international orientation, Alessio will provide urgent support in meeting the demanding requirements for strategic and operative business development. His excellent knowledge and experience in international markets and the development of brands and their specific legal aspects will play an important role in consolidating o
USA - Prolyte Group hosted its first North American Campus event on truss training in Orlando last month, just one day prior to the opening of InfoComm. Organized in cooperation with its North American distributor A.C. Lighting Inc., the event had an impressive list of participants. The Prolyte Campus event was accredited by both ESTA (ETCP) as well as InfoComm (CTS), offering continuing education credits and interesting and high-standing content that is recognized by industry bodies as well as those who participated. Lecturer Ruud de Deugd performed an inspiring session on the technical aspects of using truss, from recognizing the different types of loading, calculating cantilevers to slinging methods, connection types and regulations, using his practical experiences to address common and recognizable issues. “A brilliant way to learn more about the ran
Germany - GLP’s subsidiary for The Americas, GLP Inc., has been experiencing continued growth since starting its operation eight years ago. As a result, they have recently moved to new, and larger premises in the Los Angeles district of San Fernando. With a total area of 37,000sq.ft, the new building is around three times the size of the previous location, also in Los Angeles. According to GLP Inc. president, Mark Ravenhill, “This represents a big step forward for us as a company and increases our commitment to our markets in The Americas.” Already fully operational, the new facility has given GLP the opportunity to expand on the administrative side in order to support its customer base at a higher level, and the company is currently in the process of adding more personnel. There are also plans to increase the warehouse, service and support areas in order to impr
Ireland – A.C. Entertainment Technologies has announced that they are extending their distribution to include Ireland, for Prolyte Group's prominent range of trussing, staging and structural solutions. The expansion of territory follows AC-ET's continuing success with the brand in the UK, which for the past two years has culminated in it receiving the Prolyte Group's 'Platinum Award', in recognition of its strong sales performance and support for the StageDex and LiteDeck product ranges. Matthew Millward, sales manager for the company's specialist rigging sales division, commented: “Prolyte is an extremely important brand amongst our widening customer base, I am pleased by the robust and steady growth we have realised in the UK market in recent months and it is with great enthusiasm that we extend our distribution efforts to include Ireland as well.” As a U
UK - The PLASA Show seminar programme is one of its most important and popular features, each year hosting industry experts from around the world who share their knowledge, skills and experience. This year, the new, enhanced programme is set to deliver even more content than before and will feature a diverse range of subjects that will look at topical issues, ground-breaking concepts and deliver real insight into the world of entertainment technology. The first sessions to be announced take place in the Audio & AV Theatre and include sound designers Gareth Fry and Pete Malkin talking about their incredible work to build a shifting world of sound on The Encounter, Simon McBurney’s solo performance, which traces National Geographic photographer Loren McIntyre's journey into the depths of the Amazon rainforest; the welcome return of veteran industry journalist Phil
UK - Aurora lighting has partnered with automobile manufacturer, BMW, to carry out its first smart lighting pilot scheme following the recent announcement of its new enterprise connected lighting platform, AXiO. BMW is focusing on challenging and testing new experiences in which customers select, enjoy and purchase ‘the ultimate driving machine’. With a customer’s lighting design experience needs at its core, Aurora’s projects and IoT division will be working in partnership with BMW to develop and test a customer-centric retail lighting hardware platform and IoT experience, all powered by Gooee, to help BMW achieve its goals. With the AXiO lighting platform, BMW will receive much more than just a bespoke lighting design. The car manufacturer will have the ability to manage and deliver an engaging end-to-end customer experience that immerses the user at the leve
