Lighting

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24 June 2025

USA - Hip-hop artist Ja Rule is touring North America with an electrifying visual show that uses Elation’s Proteus Rayzor Blade as a multi-dimensional lighting effect. In the capable hands of Shepherd Lowrey of Cactus Creative Studio, the powerful linear LED fixture supports an entertaining show that combines raw energy and futuristic flair with reflective appreciation.

SLX Productions provides lighting, scenic fabrication and design engineering for the tour, with Lowrey serving as production designer, creative producer and lighting designer. Lowrey also created much of the show’s content. He and SLX principal Ariel Afar have collaborated on past high-profile projects, including a Jon Batiste performance at Coachella 2024 in which Afar introduced Lowrey to the Proteus Rayzor Blade. Since then, the fixture has been a staple of his designs.

“The

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23 June 2025

USA - The Alamodome has been a cultural landmark in San Antonio since opening its doors in 1993. Designed as a versatile community hub, it has hosted a vast array of local, regional, and international events for more than three decades. Now, thanks to a visionary lighting project, the venue is entering a new era.

The new lighting installation was a collaborative effort between Mega-Lite and ISI City Smart Lights, combining expertise and innovation to bring the Alamodome’s exterior to life.

Lighting artists and designers Eduardo Orozco Sr. and Eduardo Orozco Jr. led the design, selecting the advanced Outshine Q500, an IP-rated fixture featuring 48 powerful LEDs, 16-bit dimming, and smooth colour transitions for stunning visual effects. 60 units were strategically placed around the building’s perimeter, creating a vibrant 50ft wash that dramaticall

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23 June 2025

USA - Andre Petrus is turning high school memories into a spectacularly dynamic visual experience as the production and lighting designer on John Legend’s Get Lifted 20th Anniversary Tour.

“Getting the chance to design John Legend’s 20th anniversary of Get Lifted was a full circle moment for me,” said Petrus, of Outrage Media Group. “I clearly remember that album in high school and I wore it out. That style of music is 100-percent my vibe. I have deep roots in gospel and R&B so designing that show came naturally.”

Petrus’ unbridled enthusiasm for lighting the anniversary tour comes across loud and clear in his sweeping ebullient design. Moving seamlessly through a dramatic flow of bold looks, he captures the magical range of his multi-award-winning client. At times, he covers the stage in lush colours, reflecting t

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23 June 2025

The Netherlands - Grote Kerk (Big Church) in Apeldoorn was the unlikely venue for two recent dance parties hosted by ABNØRMAAL Events. The team from production company RJ Showequipment overcame significant challenges – including complex logistics and a tight budget – to deliver impressive production for the event. Utilising ADJ’s powerful and feature-packed Focus Profile and Vizi Beam 12RX moving heads, they created a high-tech dance club atmosphere while simultaneously using lighting to highlight the ornate décor of the historic venue.

One of the most significant examples of neo-Renaissance church architecture in the Netherlands, Apeldoorn’s Grote Kerk was constructed in the late 1800s. It remains a place of Christian worship but is also used to host concerts and other cultural events open to the public.

Electronic Music promoter ABNØRMAA

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23 June 2025

India - Robe’s Indian distributor Integrated Entertainment Solutions (IES) enjoyed a busy, proactive and productive PALM Expo 2025 in Mumbai. The show was staged over three days at the Bombay Exhibition Centre (BEC), the largest privately owned permanent exhibition centre in India, and highlights included Robe’s iBolt winning an award for ‘Outstanding Innovation’ in the Professional Lighting Solution category.

This year, the IES took a prime position booth in the new Hall – Hall 6 – added specifically to host and showcase major pro lighting and audio brands and new technologies. Those working with lighting and audio equipment enjoyed demonstrations and the chance to examine the kit close-up here, as IES dedicated over half of the floorspace to Robe Group businesses – Robe, Avolites, Anolis, LSC and Artistic Licence.

Rasesh Pare

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20 June 2025

UK - The live events sector continues to demonstrate the dedication and commitment of its professionals, with Backup partners exemplifying this community spirit. This year has seen Backup Tech expand its partnership network with two new companies and has introduced Core Pro Audio and TMB as its newest partners.

Each Backup partner brings its own motivation and story to the partnership, yet all share a common goal: supporting the vital work Backup undertakes to assist industry professionals during their times of greatest need.

The first new partner is Core Pro Audio, a professional audio sales company and used equipment specialist headquartered in the UK, with international trading capabilities.

The partnership was cemented following the successful Core Pro Show 2025 at the Mount Hotel, Tettenhall in January, which attracted over 200

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20 June 2025

Austria - SRS Group has added Signal to its growing family of distributors. “With their well-established presence in the Austrian market, we look forward to expanding our reach and building a strong, productive partnership in the years ahead,” says SRS.

“After numerous discussions, in-person meetings, and company visits, the decision to move forward with Signal Sound & Light Distribution came naturally. Their impressive portfolio of globally recognised partner brands caught our interest – but what truly sealed the deal was the exceptional dedication and flexibility demonstrated by their team throughout the entire process.”

Matthias Reinthaler, general manager at Signal, shares his perspective on the new collaboration: “As the Austrian Robe distributor, Signal has a global network within the industry. Some of these partners are already

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20 June 2025

UK - GLP’s latest strobe/wash hybrid, the JDC Burst 1, made the most auspicious of debuts, when 96 of the compact fixtures were deployed at London’s Royal Albert Hall by lighting designer Jelle Stoffels – the first deployment in the UK.

With its segmented, controllable white strobe line – substantially brighter than its forebear, the JDC1 – the JDC Burst 1 delivers punch and impressive strobe effects. A further advantage is that it is also IP65-rated.

Having used the original JDC1 multiple times, upon learning that lighting vendor Siyan had taken delivery of the first 100 heads in the UK, Stoffels jumped at the chance to put the fixture’s superior characteristics to the test with Swiss electronic house and techno DJ duo Adriatique (Adrian Shala and Adrian Schweizer). In particular, he was interested to see how having the two RGBW LED plat

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20 June 2025

India - Obsidian Control Systems recently played a key control role at the 2025 IIFA Awards at the JECC Grounds in Jaipur, where Bollywood’s brightest stars took centre stage.

Supported by VMT, Obsidian’s official Indian distribution partner, Wizcraft International Entertainment produced the show, where Obsidian’s NX4, NX2, NXP and Netron EN12 handled 600 lighting fixtures across 24 universes.

The Obsidian consoles delivered intuitive programming and adaptability, allowing for dynamic lighting transitions and high-impact cues. The NXP expansion wing provided scalable control for the large setup, while the Netron EN12 ensured flawless data transmission across the rig.

Becket Tundatil, lighting designer at Fireflies, said: “Lighting plays a crucial role in storytelling, and Obsidian delivered flawlessly. Its intuitive controls

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20 June 2025

South Africa - Tiaan Giliomee, freelance lighting designer with PRDGY Group, has taken delivery of his first lighting console – a grandMA3 onPC command wing from DWR Distribution.

Tiaan’s journey in lighting began over a decade ago at The Ridge School, using a simple Titan One system and parcans. Through high school, his passion grew, evolving through dot2 systems and Robe fixtures, and earning recognition with a few wins at Battle of the Bands and FEDA competitions.

While he pursued studies in Electronic Engineering, theatre and lighting always remained his true passion. “It’s what challenges me creatively every day,” says Tiaan, who’s known for bringing technical innovation to the stage, such as DMX-controlled windmills for Afrikaans productions.

After years of working with various consoles, including Avolites and grand

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20 June 2025

UK - The Art-Deco Grade II listed Queens Hotel has been an impressive presence on Leeds’ City Square since its construction in 1937. Designed by W.H. Hamlyn and faced with white Portland Stone, it is a striking landmark which over the years has hosted many notable guests. Royals, world leaders, and international film stars have all experienced the comforts of The Queens.

At the end of last year, The Queens was the focus of an art installation which saw LeedsBID (Leeds Business Improvement District) collaborate with Barcelona-based creative studio Onionlab on To Leeds With Love, a visual spectacular which used the elegant architecture of the Hotel as a canvas for multiple projections themed around The Twelve Days of Christmas.

The ambitious and innovative project, which embraced state-of-the-art technology and world-class design, r

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20 June 2025

UK - Stage Electrics Group has announced changes within its senior executive team. Andy Preece, group finance director, will retire from his executive role effective 31 July 2025, the end of the group’s financial year, and will assume a new position as a non-executive director.

Dave Coull, group CEO of Stage Electrics, said: “Andy’s breadth of experience and expertise have not only benefited the organisation financially and strategically but have also helped shape and develop our company culture over the past four years. As he moves into his new role as non-executive director, I’m confident the group will continue to benefit from his insight, non-executive oversight, and unwavering commitment to our continued growth and success.”

Nathan Athay, the company’s current finance manager, will be promoted to the role of group finance director an

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19 June 2025

Europe - Netherlands-based manufacturer ELC Lighting has announced a change in its distribution arrangement for Belgium. With effect from 1 July 2025, both its brands - the ELC range of DMX-over-IP lighting control products and the Green-GO family of digital wireless intercom solutions - will be exclusively supported in Belgium by a new partner, Luxillag.

The announcement follows the decision by long-standing sales partner AVL (Audio Visual Lighting bv) to cease operations. Founded by Luc Buytaert and Yolanda Eliano in 1995, AVL has been a firm supporter of both brands for many years.

“We began distributing ELC after they first showed the Focus Hand at PLASA in London,” remembers Luc. “Later, we got the chance to prove ourselves in distributing Green-GO. From day one, we had a close family bond with the people, especially with Silvio, Joost and

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19 June 2025

USA - Long before the first Ultra Music fans began filing into downtown Miami’s Bayfront Park this March, the festival had already begun playing itself out in the mind of Patrick Dierson. “We started working on the pre-production process, several months out in advance and went over things again and again to get this right,” said the widely acclaimed designer and head of The Activity, who handles technical management for the iconic event’s main stage.

Working with technical producer, Ray Steinman, creative director, Richard Milstein, and the various vendors, Dierson started laying out plans for the technical infrastructure that would ultimately be needed to support all the festival’s guest LDs and their clients.

“The focus of our work is always on the guest technical teams and getting them everything they need to deliver their bes

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19 June 2025

Canada - At the heart of Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) stands Chrysalis – a landmark 1,200-seat proscenium theatre housed in the historic Ryerson Theatre in downtown Toronto. As part of The Creative School, which encompasses 27 leading graduate and undergraduate programmes in media, communications, and design, Chrysalis is more than a performance space – it serves as a creative incubator.

Led by technical lead, Scott Martin, alongside director, Owais Lightwala and creative producer, Jasmine Au, Chrysalis is ‘reimagining live entertainment through the integration of emerging technologies and performance techniques’.

Its mission focuses on equipping students with the tools and methodologies that will define the next era of the industry. Martin’s role is central to achieving this vision. He oversees the implementation of technology sys

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18 June 2025

USA - A new task group has been formed by ASTM International to create safety standards for drone show operations, focusing on technical requirements, procedures, and risk management. Chaired by Nils Thorjussen of Verge Aero, the group invites broad industry participation to support the growth of the emerging drone show sector. The initiative has the support and participation of the FAA.

Drone shows have come a long way in just a few years. Pioneering work undertaken in laboratories has led to the creation of technologies to deploy massive, record-setting shows worldwide. But not all systems are created equally, with significant differences in sophistication and safety features. Likewise, some operators are far more professional and detail-oriented than others. Intense price competition in the market has made many people focus on cost and not safety.

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18 June 2025

South Africa - The Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre at the University of KwaZulu-Natal has upgraded its ageing Tungsten Fresnels to ETC Source Four LED engines, and has invested in Fresnel Adapters to provide soft beam lighting suitable for any stage configuration. The new fixtures were used for the first time in the production of Bodies of Water, a soulful contemporary dance work by Flatfoot Dance Company.

“The theatre had some Tungsten Source Fours that they wanted to upgrade,” explains Michael Taylor-Broderick from DWR Distribution’s Durban branch. “After an internal discussion with my colleague, Kevin Stannett, we suggested a solution that would give them the best bang for their buck.”

ETC’s smart retrofitting options include adapters that make its LED engines multi-purpose, allowing lens tubes to be swapped out to suit different ne

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18 June 2025

USA - The second annual Montreux Jazz Festival Miami, an extension of the long-running Swiss music festival, brought three days of sold-out, world-class performances to The Hangar at Regatta Harbour in the Coconut Grove neighbourhood of Miami.

With technical production support from IPS and a striking lighting design built around Elation lighting gear, the event featured powerhouse sets from acts including Jon Batiste, Chaka Khan, Janelle Monáe, and La Descarga, among others.

ACT Productions returned as the local production company, with ACT director of operations Barbara Goicoechea noting: “The cooperation with IPS was excellent as always and our client was extremely happy. This year’s show was absolutely gorgeous, mostly because of the lighting that was used. We cannot thank IPS enough for doing such an incredible job.”

The f

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18 June 2025

Middle East - SRS Group is proud to announce that the company is coming to the Middle East, having partnered with NMK Electronics.

SRS Group’s first meeting with NMK was during the SLS Show in Saudi Arabia last year, where they expressed a strong interest in representing the brand.

“After careful consideration, we decided to proceed with NMK,” said Samuel Sloboda, CEO of SRS Group. “What really stood out to us was their professionalism, proactive approach, and deep understanding of the Middle Eastern market. Their energy, strategic mindset, and commitment to growth convinced us that they are the right partner to represent us in the region.

“Furthermore, their portfolio is an ideal match for all three of our divisions [Rigging, Power and Lighting], and we are certain that this collaboration will prove to be the right decision f

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18 June 2025

Poland - Portman Lights, the Polish manufacturer known for its iconic, eye-catching fixture designs seen on stages from global tours to top TV shows, has just flipped the script – and the switch. It has opened its factory doors to musicians.

Portman has transformed the heart of its Gdynia-based factory into a fully functional concert stage – using only its own static lighting fixtures, including the latest hybrid product, Omniray. The launch of Portman Factory Sessions, a new YouTube series, invites artists to perform live in the very space where the company’s renowned lighting products are designed and built.

“We wanted to go beyond showcasing our fixtures in promo videos or spotting them somewhere in the world on stage,” says Michał, brand manager at Portman Lights. “We wanted to show what happens when the people who build the gear col

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17 June 2025

UK - The PLASA Awards for Innovation are back for 2025, and entries are officially open.  

Celebrating the most forward-thinking technology across lighting, audio, AV, staging, rigging and beyond, the awards recognise products that bring something genuinely new to the table, whether it’s a technical step forward, a sustainability breakthrough, or a clever commercial edge. 

Run in partnership with LSi, the awards are independently judged by a panel of experts who know what real innovation looks like. All shortlisted ent

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17 June 2025

UAE - The International Jazz Day, Global Allstar Concert, takes place every 30 April, bringing together some of the biggest names in the jazz world. The 2025 edition was led by Herbie Hancock and hosted by Jeremy Irons.

Usually taking place in a theatre or concert hall, 2025 saw the concert moved to an arena setting for the first time, broadcast from the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. Lighting and production designer, Tyler Littman, who has designed the IJD production since 2014, was directed by the producers to ‘go big’ with his design, which he did. “We also wanted to maintain a feeling of intimacy yet simultaneously making the show truly fill the enormous space,” he says.

To achieve this, Littman put together a rig that was ‘nearly all Ayrton’, supplied by PRG’s hub in Dubai. There were 170 Ayrton fixtures including Argo 6 Wash

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17 June 2025

Estonia - Robe’s Estonian distributor, Tallinn-based E&T, is in the final stages of delivering a major order for moving and LED lights for 10 major theatres across the country, where all forms of live performance are strongly engrained in Estonian culture.

In most cases, the new LED lighting fixtures are replacing ageing tungsten or halogen-based lighting. E&T’s Olev Luhaäär stated that the company was “delighted” to win the bid to be the supplier for the initiative, chosen from stiff competition, adding that it “underlines the quality and range of Robe’s products that are designed and spec’d for this demanding lighting discipline”.

A total of 15 different Robe products have been specified across the 10 venues including T1 and T2 Profiles, Fresnels and Follow Spots, LEDBeam 350s, Spiiders, iParFect FWQ RGBWs and RGBWs, T11 P

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17 June 2025

Germany - For Wincent Weiss’s arena tour in March 2025, the renowned design studio St. Robo developed a fully integrated show design – including set, lighting and content, as well as IMAG and creative direction. The design concept and implementation were developed in close collaboration within an interdisciplinary team dedicated to developing a new visual language for the artist. The focus was on emotional impact, technical finesse and a deliberate departure from traditional stage conventions.

Pop singer and songwriter Wincent Weiss became known for his authentic German-language songs and energetic live shows – characteristics that also played a central role in the visual storytelling of the 2025 arena tour.

The St. Robo team – consisting of Nik Evers, Philipp Hillers, Markus Eibl, Hannes Geers and Andy Machals, among others – pursued a bol