Vietnam - The Opera Convention Centre in Hai Phong recently opened its doors, aiming to establish itself as a premier venue for international-class artistic performances, conventions, and large-scale weddings. Committed to excellence in sound and lighting, the Opera Convention Centre selected advanced audio solutions from RCF.

The new audio installation, handled by ProAVL, RCF's official distributor in Vietnam, features a robust lineup of RCF products, including 38 HDL 6-A compact line array modules. Known for their precise, detailed audio reproduction and powerful performance, the HDL 6-A systems provide consistent and accurate sound coverage throughout the venue, ensuring optimal acoustic experiences for every seat.

Complementing the line arrays, 12 SUB 8008-AS active subwoofers were strategically deployed, enhancing low-frequency reinforcement and

Portugal - Taking place throughout July in Cascais, just west of Lisbon, Ageas Cooljazz 2025 continues to offer audiences a summer experience that ‘blends music, nature, and heritage’. Now in its 21st edition, the festival is held in the Hipódromo Manuel Possolo and the surrounding green spaces, drawing international artists across genres including jazz, soul, pop, and world music.

Alongside its programming, Ageas Cooljazz is known for careful attention to staging, ambience, and technical execution. For the 2025 edition, local rental company Audiomatrix was selected to supply and manage the festival’s main audio system, choosing an integrated solution based on Outline technologies.

The main PA features two hangs, each combining Outline GTO and GTO C-12 line-source modules. These systems are designed to ensure consistent throw

USA - Matthieu Larivée and the team at Lüz Studio designed the production for Rascal Flatts' 21-city Life is a Highway Tour, which ran for three months this year in North America.

The tour covered the multi-award-winning band's 25-year career, one that has resulted in 16 No. 1 hits and over 11m concert tickets sold. When discussing the best ways to reflect the band's far-reaching achievements, the Lüz team took a slight step back from the immersive 3D video elements that characterise many of their designs and leaned more heavily on light.

"Given the nature of this retrospective tour and the band's rich history, we focused on lighting, which is timeless," said Larivée. "Their catalogue has some ballads, which need gobos or very subtle lighting chases; power ballads, which need powerful lighting swaps; and rock ‘n’ roll songs, which ne

USA - Hip-hop artist, producer and record executive Dr. Dre has upgraded the main room at his Aftermath Entertainment studio facility in Los Angeles to a 96-input Solid State Logic Duality Fuse SuperAnalogue mixing console.

Dr. Dre – whose influential debut solo album, 1992’s The Chronic, introduced G-Funk to the world and defined West Coast hip-hop – has owned or worked on every model of large-format SSL analogue music console since the E series, commenting, "The first love of my life was the SSL board."

Aftermath Entertainment’s head engineer, Quentin ‘Q’ Gilkey, has worked not just with Dr. Dre but also many of the artists on the label’s roster, including Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, Anderson .Paak, The Game and Earl Sweatshirt. He began working with Dr. Dre 15 years ago, becoming Aftermath’s lead engineer in 2014. He

Europe - Art on Ice is a frozen extravaganza where performers dance, sing, play and perform acrobatic stunts on ice. Audiences in Europe continue to be captivated and, highlighting the success of its format, the show will celebrate its 30th anniversary in 2026.

Behind the scenes, conditions are as demanding as they are for the artists: camera operators complete their work on the ice using Segways, and sound engineer Michael Nöth mixes from behind the PA on the side of the ice rink. Thanks to KLANG:konductor, performers enjoy clear, immersive mixes ensuring they stay in time with the music, without distractions from sonic reflections while speeding around on the ice. Michael Nöth comments:

“We operate on a very tight schedule, with limited rehearsal time and welcome multiple, high-profile guest artists,” he says. “The show itself is h

UK - Lighting designer and operator Alec Morris of Anthrolight Productions turned to Obsidian Control Systems’ powerful NX2 lighting console for one of the most high-profile shows of his career: the filming of The Lamb Stands Up Live at the Royal Albert Hall, a concert DVD by guitarist and former Genesis member Steve Hackett. The sold-out performance, captured in October 2024, is set for release on 11 July 2025.

Morris, who has been lighting Hackett’s shows since the Foxtrot at 50 tour in 2023, has a long history with the Obsidian platform, dating back to his early days designing on Martin LightJockey and M-Series consoles. His transition to Obsidian came naturally after Elation acquired the console line.

The Royal Albert Hall performance marked a significant step up in scale and complexity, both technically and emotionally. “

The Netherlands - A lighting control system from Pharos Architectural Controls is creating an immersive experience for visitors at a new sustainable visitor centre at the heart of the Port of Rotterdam.

Portlantis is home to a permanent, interactive exhibition that brings to life the story of one of the world’s busiest and most innovative ports. The exhibition explores the port’s rich history while looking ahead to its future as it embraces sustainable, low-energy operations.

Comprising five stacked exhibition spaces offering views across the North Sea, the coastline and the port, the exterior of Portlantis is striking. Inside, the exhibits are brought to life with a single-universe Pharos Designer LPC (Lighting Playback Controller), specified by Ata Tech, who delivered the complete lighting and audiovisual solution.

The

Japan - Expected to welcome more than 20,000 visitors daily until mid-October, World Expo 2025 opened in Osaka in April, with 160 countries showcasing their cultures, crafts, technologies and visions of the future in a series of exhibits.

In addition to more than 250 of its speakers installed in a spectacular visitor experience at the France Pavilion, Geo M10 and P12 systems from Nexo are also installed at Ashita Hiroba in the Osaka-based Yoshimoto Kogyo Holdings Co’s Yoshimoto waraii myraii pavilion, one of 13 exhibits by private companies and organisations at the Expo.

Comprising the smiling sphere Tamar and the event space Ashita Hiroba, the pavilion hosts a variety of laughter-themed events daily with immersive sound central to the visitor experience.

“The main speakers are Nexo Geo M10 with 2/4 facing speak

Europe - Shirin David, the chart-topping German rapper, singer, entrepreneur, and former YouTuber, is celebrated by her loyal fan base for her impactful shows. Shirin’s latest 14-date Schlau Aber Blond tour across Germany, Austria, and Switzerland continued to raise the visual bar by connecting audiences with a cinematic view of the artist’s powerful five-act performance.

Developed in partnership with 24/7 Productions, Tim Routledge Lighting Design, Adlib, ARRI and Fujinon, the Shirin David tour pioneered the first use of the Alexa 35 Live - Multicam System on a concert tour.

The brief was to bring the glamour and energetic vibrancy that has become synonymous with a Shirin David show to the big screens at each venue. Early conversations with the production, design and Adlib teams identified the technical challenges that would be faced, i

Italy - On 13-14 June, the Italian beach resort of Fano became the location for a one-of-a-kind audiovisual extravaganza as the Adriatic Sound Festival brought a celebration of techno music and underground spirit to the city’s historic airfield.

Designed by Stufish, the Hangar Stage paid tribute to Fano’s aviation legacy and the power of electronic music, reimagining Fano’s historic airfield as an open-air techno cathedral, framed by three iconic hangars.

Sound for the stage was supplied by local event production and technology specialists Backstage, who deployed an all-Nexo system comprising main left and right hangs of 15 x STM M46 Main modules flown alongside the same number of STM B112 Bass Extension modules, with another hang of STM M46/B112 providing an out-fill.

A total of 60 x STM S118 subs ground stacked across the front of the

UK - When Dunottar School in Reigate set out to stage its most ambitious production yet - Shrek the Musical - theatre & AV manager Ted Swan knew he wanted to raise the bar. With a background in professional theatre and experience in the West End, Ted turned to White Light, a d&b solutions company (WL), to help bring a touch of theatrical magic to the school’s 480-seat venue.

Over three sold-out nights, the school’s production entertained audiences with a full-scale set, dynamic lighting, and immersive effects, all made possible through a carefully curated hire package from WL. The equipment included Ayrton Diablos, ETC ColorSource Spot V fixtures, Chauvet Cloud 9 foggers, Unique 2.1 hazers, and Magic FX Power Shot confetti systems.

“The kids are so talented - some of them have even performed in the West End,” said Ted. “I w

Spain - Motorworld Mallorca, which opened in April, combines automotive passion with lifestyle, gastronomy and event culture. On the site of the former Festival Park in Marratxí near Palma, an interactive experience has been created, complete with freely accessible exhibition areas for classic cars, super sports cars and motorbikes, catering concepts, shops and versatile event spaces.

The iLUX Veranstaltungstechnik team from Germany was responsible for the media technology equipment in the recently opened catering areas at the heart of the complex – complete with a customised audio and sound system from LD Systems.

The order for iLUX is based on a long-standing collaboration with the catering company responsible for the Motorworld Group. “We have been working with Rauschenberger for several years now,” explains Enrico Rocca from iLUX. “After

USA - “How can we mic two nude opera singers?” was the provocative challenge posed to Soundmirror, a renowned Massachusetts-based classical music recording and production company, in the live recording of the Houston Grand Opera’s (HGO) production of Missy Mazzoli's opera, Breaking the Waves.

Undaunted by the production’s staging, Soundmirror and HGO successfully navigated the challenge through creative placement of Lectrosonics ultra-compact SSM digital hybrid wireless micro transmitter, and Breaking the Waves was performed and recorded with nary a microphone in sight. 

The recording of Breaking the Waves, an operatic treatment of the Lars von Trier film, presented specific and considerable difficulties during the pivotal scene where two of the main characters, Bess and Jan, were staged to be "almost completely nu

UK - 12th Knot, the rooftop bar at London’s Sea Containers hotel, is already known for its views, striking design, and vibrant atmosphere. Now, it sounds as good as it looks. Working with 1 Sound’s UK distributor CUK Group, London-based integrator Tateside brought in a full 1 Sound audio system to enhance the venue’s energy - from relaxed afternoon lounging to busy weekend DJ nights.

The motivation for 12th Knot was that the audio system was no longer meeting the evolving needs of the space. Over time, audio coverage and speaker placement had become inconsistent. The goal for this project was to update the system with an evenly distributed audio design and respect the interior’s sleek aesthetic while upgrading the system’s performance. “It was time for a proper upgrade, and 1 Sound stood out as an ideal solution,” explained Jack Cornish, techni

UK - Glastonbury Festival 2025 played host to the spectacular return of Arcadia’s Dragonfly. Towering above crowds in the Arcadia field, the 13m-wide sculpture is built around a repurposed military helicopter, transformed into a living, breathing audio-visual creature brought to life with projection, LED and lighting in harmony.

This year marked Hive’s first full deployment on the Dragonfly. The project - a collaboration between Arcadia, Cucumber Productions, Video Illusions and content creators Astral Projekt - pushed the boundaries of projection mapping and LED playback. At its core are Hive’s new Beeblade Nexus media engines and supporting suite of advanced software tools, designed for projects where creativity meets complexity.

The Dragonfly’s body - a decommissioned Sea King helicopter – presented a highly unusual projection s

Spain - The Pillars of the Earth, the musical adaptation of Ken Follett’s bestselling novel, has wrapped up an epic season at Madrid’s Teatro EDP Gran Vía. This large-scale production by Beon Entertainment brought together set design, music, and lighting to immerse audiences in a deeply emotional and architecturally rich Middle Ages - full of theatrical magic.

And, as you might expect, lighting was one of the show’s major stars, with a powerful lighting design entirely built around Ayrton luminaires. The lighting design, crafted by Felipe Ramos and Juanjo Beloqui with expressiveness and technical precision, created a wide range of atmospheres: from dark interiors and gothic cathedrals to sunlit medieval markets, dungeons, and majestic halls. The common denominator were the Ayrton luminaires, selected for their power, versatility, and reliabil

Hungary - The terrace stage at Budapest’s iA38 has had an audio refresh with HK Audio now powering the party. The 300-person performance space which focuses on electronic music is now covered by a Contour X solution, supplied by local partner, Eurhythmics.

Permanently moored on the banks of the Danube, A38 is a former stone carrying barge that has been completely gutted and reimagined by a team of architects, ship engineers, acoustic designers and electricians into a three-stage live performance venue. Over more than two decades since its renovation, A38 has hosted countless performances from international artists in every genre, as well as being the location for numerous live recordings and TV broadcasts.

Today, its three stages see multiple performances every week throughout the summer season, making A38 one of the most popular venues in Budapest

Europe - Clear-Com has announced that Movicom, provider of specialty camera systems for international live events, has selected Arcadia Central Station to support its growing intercom service offerings.

The system was supplied and integrated by Clear-Com partner Video Progetti. Through this collaboration, Movicom now offers clients two rental options: a standalone system for teams with in-house intercom expertise, or a fully supported package that includes system configuration and on-site production assistance, ensuring reliable, professional communications for productions of any size.

Movicom is known for its innovative camera solutions like the Robycam cable-suspended system, and has supported major productions including the Rugby World Cup, Rome Masters Tennis Tournament, and Coppa Italia Final. As client demand for reliable, professional communic

Germany - At the beginning of 2025, Patrick Rabus was tasked with handling the production design for a tour by Tim Kamrad, a young pop artist who is increasingly attracting attention with his electronic sounds and strong stage presence.

For almost the first month, Kamrad toured medium-sized venues in Germany. “The venues were deliberately kept intimate, but Tim’s presence has grown considerably since then – not least thanks to [his appearance as judge on German TV series] The Voice of Germany,” explains Rabus. “It wasn’t about appearing bigger than we are, but rather about shaping the stage in a way that does justice to his artistic ambitions and increased awareness – with depth, dramatic precision and moments of surprise.”

A key element of the design was a custom-made frame, accentuated with LED strips, that visually marked

USA - Christian radio station WJTL returned to Cherry Crest Adventure Farm near Lancaster, Pennsylvania, on 17 May for WJTL Fest – ‘a day filled with inspiring music, fun activities, and uplifting moments’. Stray Production Services brought its new Paragon LED profile luminaires for the event, and Stray’s Jon Boyer handled the lighting design.

“Because the event is outside on a mobile stage, during the day, and without haze, I needed a fixture punchy enough to make an impact but also diverse enough that I could create an artistic show,” Boyer stated. “It proved an ideal event for our new Paragon fixtures.”

As Stray’s outdoor event roster continues to grow, the company invested in the multi-award-winning Paragon M earlier this spring, choosing it as the new workhorse fixture for indoor and outdoor productions.

“Som

USA - Phoenix Fan Fusion three-day event drew a record-setting crowd of over 130,000 fans who filled the Phoenix Convention Centre to the rafters. John Garberson and his 30-person team at Creative BackStage set up the lighting, sound, and video for two general session rooms and 30 breakout rooms.

“Set up took three days, but we were able to strike the event in five hours, thanks to our awesome team, which included Matthew Breg, L1/ board op; Tyler Coan L2; Michael Morse L2; and Maxine Kichler rigging,” said Garberson. “There was a lot of coordination involved in doing this quickly and efficiently.”

In keeping with this mission, Garberson took steps to save time throughout the set-up process. For example, he decided it was cheaper and faster to bring in a self-climbing roof system, rather than fly the production for the big rooms. He explained

Monaco - Since 29 March 2025, the Mediterranean 2050 exhibition has been inviting visitors on a space-time journey into the heart of the Mediterranean Sea, showcasing its vibrant ecosystem while raising awareness of the environmental challenges it faces today and in the future.

One of the exhibition’s highlights is an impressive cachalot sculpture brought to life with interactive projections, powered by the Modulo Kinetic media server solution from Modulo Pi and the technical expertise of ID Scènes.

At the heart of the Oceanographic Institute of Monaco, the Mediterranean 2050 exhibition takes visitors on a journey through the past, present, and an imagined future of the Mediterranean Sea. Spread across more than 1,000 m², this new large-scale immersive experience celebrates the richness of marine heritage while raising awareness of press

Czech Republic - The Rock For People music festival celebrated its 30th anniversary in style with an impressive five-day event, an all-star lineup and an expanded capacity of 50,000 which saw a fully sold-out audience flock to the Park 360 site in Hradec Králové – a former military airfield dating back to the 1930s – approximately 100k east of Prague.

Technical production – lighting, audio, video, rigging – for the main KB and Tesco stages, plus the Europa 2 tent, as well as a number of smaller stages, was supplied by leading Czech rental company T Servis, which included over 300 Robe moving lights, around 75% of the total moving lights they brought to site.

Headliners included Slipknot, Linkin Park and Guns N’ Roses – the latter playing an extra show on day five – together with other rousing and standout performances by favo

UK/USA - Teddy Swims has blended country, pop, and R&B into a global success story, accompanied this year by his biggest live shows to date, including a sold-out arena run in the UK and setting a new attendance record at Manchester's Co-op Live venue. The tour is now in the US before the team returns to Australia this autumn followed by Asia and the Middle East.

Supporting the crew as they navigate larger spaces in all corners of the world on the I've Tried Everything but Therapy tour, Clair Global account executive, Justin Weaver comments: "I can't say enough about the brilliant individuals who strive day-in & day-out to give their absolute best; it shows in every live performance and at every venue."

FOH mixer Drew Thornton (Billie Eilish, Maggie Rogers) is the man charged with taking Teddy's radio friendly Number 1 hits and turnin

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