UK - Martin Audio partner, dBS Solutions recently provided sound reinforcement for The Hallé Orchestra at their resident venue, The Bridgewater Hall in Manchester. A regular fixture in the dBS Solutions diary, this time the focus was Top Gun: Maverick – In Concert.

This brought back memories of the Tom Cruise blockbuster for a near sell-out audience in the 2,355-cap hall. The show originally premiered at the Royal Albert Hall in late summer, with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, attended by Tom Cruise.

In Manchester, under project manager James Roberts, dBS Solutions provided a Martin Audio scalable resolution WPS line array featuring 14 elements a side, driven in optimum 1-box resolution by Martin Audio iKON iK42 amplifiers. Martin Audio FlexPoint FP12 side-fills (two per side) provided foldback for the SFX and dialogue to accompany the

Spain - After six years away from the stage, Spanish masters of rock, ska, reggae and rap, La Raíz, made a triumphant return, exceeding all expectations with two concerts at Madrid’s Movistar Arena. More than 30,000 people on the nights of 22 November and 6 December experienced music and lighting worked in harmony.

The anticipation was sky-high, and the band did not disappoint - thousands of fans were treated to an electrifying show where music and lighting took centre stage. A stunning combination of gobos, prisms, and seamless colour transitions helped the band bring their visual narrative to life.

A key element in this long-awaited comeback was the dynamic lighting, which reached a new level thanks to 100 Ayrton Cobra moving heads. Featuring IP65-rated laser beam technology, these fixtures delivered a mix of power, precision, and versatility -

UK - Looking for an “easy and stable solution” when kitting out the new Dolby Atmos rooms at Coventry University last year, Music & Audio Production course director Benoit Granier and his team turned to the Audient Oria when choosing their immersive audio interface and monitor controller.

“The Oria’s simplicity makes it user-friendly, which has significantly improved our workflow and helped staff and students get started easily,” he says. There are currently two Orias installed in two separate rooms. The smaller of the two rooms runs a 7.1.4 ADAM Audio speaker configuration and the other is a 10.1.4 Genelec speaker configuration.

“With the integration of the Dante card, it has enabled us to work seamlessly across our vast Dante studio network, integrating our current systems and hardware. We’re using them in studios that contain bot

USA - Matthieu Larivée and his team of production and video designers at Lüz Studio along with LD Roger Grant are making magic happen night after night on the Grammy-winning string virtuoso's current 33-date North American arena and amphitheatre tour.

"Billy Strings' shows are unique," said Larivée. "It’s not your regular Blue Grass show by any means. It’s more like a mix of Grateful Dead and EDM. The show is an all-improv show. There are no setlists. There are six looks within our virtual and real lighting rigs that correspond to the show's six chapters. The crew decides which chapters they will use each night, and then stick to that chapter for a period of time, punting within that world. Those colourful worlds are defined within each chapter with lighting and video. So, it becomes cohesive, while still being very psychedelic and trippy." 

USA - As Brevard County's premier performing arts venue, the Maxwell C. King Center has served the community for 37 years, hosting everything from Broadway tours to rock icons. Located in Central Florida, the King Center in Melbourne is the only venue within over 50 miles equipped to accommodate national touring productions, making it an essential cultural hub for the region.

The heart of the multi-venue facility, the 2,016-seat L3 Harris Technologies Theatre, is an acoustically live space with a wide fan shape and a spacious mezzanine level, designed to host a wide variety of events. By 2024, the previous JBL Professional sound system, now 20 years old, had served its time. Recognising the need to stay ahead in delivering unparalleled experiences for audiences, the decision was made to upgrade the sound system.

The variety of events, including Broad

Japan - Powersoft’s compact transducer, Mover, and its Quattrocanali and Duecanali amplifiers play a key role in The Moon Cruise, an innovative VR installation in Tokyo that takes visitors on an immersive journey to the moon.

The Moon Cruise opened its doors to the public in November. It offers visitors an unforgettable immersive VR journey to the moon, a view of Earth from space, and the opportunity to walk on the lunar surface and take photos that they can download as souvenirs.

"The Moon Cruise is a free-roaming VR experience permanently installed in a new space experience facility themed around space travel called Space Travelium TeNQ. The space entertainment facility has permanent and special exhibits, as well as workshops to provide visitors with a single world-view learning experience,” says Tsuyoshi Nom

Europe - For Dream Theater’s milestone 40th Anniversary Tour, the band’s long-term lighting designer, Steve Baird, turned to the Martin Professional catalogue – specifically, 30 Martin MAC Aura PXL fixtures newly acquired by lighting supplier, Entec Live, from Martin UK distributor Sound Technology.

The tour, billed as An Evening With Dream Theater, reunites the band’s line-up - James LaBrie, John Myung, John Petrucci, Mike Portnoy, and Jordan Rudess - performing together for the first time in 14 years. The European leg launched at London’s O2 Arena on 20 October, 2024, spanned 23 cities across 17 countries before concluding in Amsterdam on 20th November.

At the heart of Baird’s ambitious lighting design were an array of Martin Professional fixtures, including 28 Martin MAC Aura PXLs, eight Martin MAC Aura XBs, and 10 Ma

Italy - Aligning a special seven-night cruise with the finale of the Sanremo Music Festival – which chooses Italy’s Eurovision pick each year – Costa Cruises and Carnival Maritime commissioned a massive lighting installation aboard its Costa Toscana ship, which was moored approximately 1k out of Sanremo’s harbour for the Saturday night music extravaganza.

This super-sized piece of light art involved 60 x Robe iBolts, the Czech manufacturer’s most powerful, high-impact laser-source searchlight-style fixture, and was overseen by Roberto Iavarone, entertainment superintendent for the Costa fleet.

“We had initially wanted to do this monumental style of lightshow for the 2024 event,” Iavarone explained, “but it was not possible to amass the right equipment in the time available, so we did a show, but this year the goal was to go <

UK - Nottingham Trent University (NTU) has unveiled its new campus in Whitechapel, London, with the launch of NTU London. The venue, located in the heart of London's creative scene, features a 600-capacity performance space equipped with an L-Acoustics Kara II line array professional audio system, delivering the same technology used at the major music festivals while providing hands-on learning for aspiring live sound engineers.

The system was designed and installed by L-Acoustics certified provider Solotech, following a specific request from NTU staff members who are themselves Nottingham campus alumni and wanted to continue their success with L-Acoustics technology.

Building on the success of NTU’s Nottingham Metronome venue, where Solotech installed an L-Acoustics Kiva II system in 2018, the London campus required a sound solution that could sca

Germany - Jan Brandt is an engineer with over 20 years’ experience. Co-owner of 040 audio, alongside Eike Brameier, the pair supply the audio equipment for Brandt’s current client, Max Mutzke. This year, they upgraded their setup by adding KLANG:vokal, adding the immersive monitor mix processor to their Yamaha DM7 Compact.

Since 2018, Brandt has toured with German singer-songwriter and TV personality Max Mutzke. Mutzke rose to fame after winning TV total’s SSDSGPS in 2004 and has since delivered numerous chart-topping hits, including Eurovision Song Contest performances. For the latest tour, Brandt was looking for a way to elevate the band’s monitor mixes and KLANG had the solution.

“I introduced the band to KLANG, and they were all fascinated by the possibilities,” Brandt recalls. “We’d worked hard on the monitor mi

India - A new commercial office space, featuring over 1m sq.ft and 11 storeys, has been transformed into a new head office for retailer Amazon. The location at Sattva Horizon business park, near Bangalore International Airport, will be host to more than 7,000 Amazon employees and mark a rapid development for the company in this region.

This expansion is part of Amazon’s broader growth strategy in major Indian cities, expanding its operations within this modern facility that will house all of the company’s business sectors. 

Lighting consultant Brainwave Designs created a new lighting scheme for the innovative workplace. Sattva Horizon awarded the job to architectural lighting manufacturer K-Lite, to supply a range of lighting solutions. A variety of K-Lite luminaires were installed, including Polar series poles in a variety of heights and option

Canada - The Niagara Parks Power Station in Niagara Falls, Ontario, has undergone a transformative journey, evolving from an industrial powerhouse to an immersive museum that blends history, technology, and storytelling. As part of this transformation, two new exhibits were introduced: the Tesla Coil Exhibit and the Niagara Parks Tunnel.

These exhibits needed an advanced audio solution to enhance the experience, support live demonstrations, and ensure that both the exhibits were amplified with clarity. The solution was found in the technology of 1 Sound loudspeakers.

Located in a former power plant, the Niagara Parks Power Station museum faced acoustical challenges in its vast, industrial space. To overcome these challenges, Branch AV was contracted to design and install a high-performance audio system for both exhibits. Branch AV

Estonia - In a move to elevate the acoustic experience for its guests, the Estonian Traditional Music Centre in Viljandi has partnered with Heliart OÜ, a provider of professional audio solutions, to install an EAW AC6 ADAPTive sound system. This marks the first venue in Estonia to elevate its sound with EAW’s revolutionary ADAPTive technology.

As a hub for cultural and live performances, the Estonian Traditional Music Centre needed a sound solution that could accommodate its diverse events, ranging from traditional folk festivals to international acts, all while maintaining a visually appealing environment for the audience.

Heliart OÜ stepped in with a solution – the AC6 ADAPTive Column Loudspeaker. With a sleek design and efficient vertical coverage, the system provides clear sightlines for balcony audience members and improves the overall aes

Europe - The Script took to the road last year in support of their most recent Satellites album. The tour of arenas in the UK and continental Europe saw the band return to live performance with a high-energy show which typified their approach to pushing boundaries. Added to the band’s collection of anthemic tunes, the boisterous hip-hop and funk rhythms of their new material made for a memorable show.

Event technology specialists Adlib has supplied audio to The Script for nearly 15 years, and has seen the band develop into global superstars. Adlib once again chose a Coda Audio system to meet the needs of a tour which played to venues that varied in capacity from 6,000 to 23,500 fans.

The Script’s production manager Colin Rogers is a fan of Coda Audio’s flagship AiRAY line array system, having seen it in use in the band’s previous are

The Netherlands - Popular Dutch TV personality Fred van Leer hosted the third incarnation of the hit concert Fred and Friends at Rotterdam’s Ahoy Arena, with Green Hippo’s Hippotizer Media Servers at the core.

Some of Europe’s biggest stars performed in front of five portrait LED screens on motion rigs, capable of moving up and down. Above these and behind the band, three full-width LED banners were installed.

‘Impact architects’ Tenfeet collaborated with the production team to deliver lighting and video design and programming, supplying two Hippotizer Boreal+ MK2 Media Servers in a main and backup configuration.

“We primarily used DMX control to operate the Hippotizer servers from our lighting console, which enabled real-time triggering of effects and bumps in sync with the music, the ability to add musical accents manua

Tunisia - Located on a prime stretch of Tunisia’s Mediterranean coastline, just 15km north of Tunis, the upscale beach resort of Gammarth is known for its designer boutiques and luxury hotels.

By day, the streets buzz with life, but when night falls, the town transforms into a hotspot for clubbers and night owls, and since a collaboration with KV2 Audio, many are heading underground to BSMNT Club.

BSMNT is run by the organisers of Tunisia’s largest electronic music festival, Fabrika. This collective of artists, DJs, and visual arts enthusiasts, who have a decade of experience in cultural events, wanted an exceptional audio system for their club. They wanted to showcase both DJ sets and live performances and to achieve this, the Fabrika team turned to Sound Source, local experts in audio installation and the official distributor of KV2 Audio in No

Lebanon - Mons Faraya is a ski resort that combines a chic restaurant vibe with an electrifying music bar scene. Set on approximately 1400m², it strikes the right balance, accommodating a lively crowd without losing its intimate charm. With indoor, outdoor and pool area, it’s a location where haute cuisine meets high-energy beats, drawing in locals and tourists alike. The venue hosts the best local and international DJs as well as popular local bands such as Kimotion, Moblack and Aryme.

The venue itself, which has been masterminded by Youssef Hadid, Nazir Bassit and Chris Bosnoyan, recently took ownership of a Martin Audio PA after Charbel Fahed of Technosound, the Martin Audio partner, met with Bassit and Hadid. “They were seeking a top-tier sound system, so I recommended Martin Audio for its exceptional quality and performance,” he said. “However,

UK - TVC hit all the right notes when tasked with enhancing Hotshots Liverpool by installing two karaoke rooms. This addition ensures guests can now belt out their favourite tunes in style, adding another dynamic entertainment option to the venue’s already impressive line-up. Known for its blend of American pool, snooker, interactive darts, and live sports screenings, Hotshots Liverpool wanted to crank up the fun.

On entering the karaoke rooms, guests are met with 55” Mitchell & Brown 4K Ultra HD Smart TVs, installed by TVC. These high-performance displays provide clear visuals, ensuring that every lyric is displayed. To ensure optimal viewing angles, TVC fitted Peerless-AV’s ST640P SmartMount Universal Tilt Wall Mounts, offering a sleek, space-saving solution that blends into the venue’s dynamic setting.

Delivering an exceptional audio e

USA - The Grand Ole Opry 100th Celebration, broadcast live on NBC and streamed on Peacock, featured a procession of artists who relied on Shure audio technology as they honoured the legacy of the country music institution. Both founded in 1925, the Grand Ole Opry and Shure share a rich history together, with music and cultural stars trusting Shure microphones on the Opry stage.

“Two icons in the entertainment industry both celebrating 100 years is quite an honour,” said Chris Schyvinck, president and CEO at Shure. “We literally grew up together. From day one, the Grand Ole Opry has provided the world with wonderful talent and significant impacts on the world of music. We congratulate the Grand Ole Opry and all its members and fans for a century of success and hope for another 100 years of country music entertainment.”

Chuck Young, di

The Netherlands - The dynamic production of Mamma Mia! The Party in Rotterdam featured the Follow-Me Track-iT system at the heart of its lighting design.

Mamma Mia! The Party is an immersive theatrical show that combines the magic of Mamma Mia! - the successful theatre production - with a dining experience. Set in a vibrant Greek taverna with the entire venue being used as the set, the show invites audiences to become part of the action, interacting with the cast and enjoying a meal while the story unfolds around them. With lively performances, ABBA music, and a mix of comedy and drama, Mamma Mia! The Party creates a high-energy environment that blurs the line between audience and performers.

The Follow-Me Track-iT system was chosen for its ability to accurately track the performers through the venue, adjusting lig

USA - When lighting designer Jaycob Luque played his first ever date with Canadian DJ/producer Kaytranada on Hallowe’en in 2021, he was supported by multiples of GLP’s impression X4 Bars.

“The X4 was revolutionary at the time,” he says. But fast forward three years and Kaytranada’s production values have scaled up – and GLP has moved to its X5 platform. So now, the designer has been able to upgrade to impression X5 IP Bars, specifying 156 fixtures. These have dominated the set for their power and versatility on the recent US stadium and amphitheatre Timeless tour. The show has also visited Australia, New Zealand and Africa and will visit Europe next spring.

“I’ve received nothing but positive feedback from fans and industry alike,” says Luque. “The X5 IP Bars were truly the highlight and I have never been more satisfied w

USA - Mason Felps with 46 Entertainment has created an eye-catching lighting design including 68 x Robe iForte and 16 x iSpiider moving lights, supplied by Backstage Productions for the 2025 leg of country music superstar Alan Jackson’s Last Call: One More for the Road tour.

Billed as a celebration to mark the artist’s career, the first section of the tour started in 2022 and continued well into 2025.

Felps likes to keep busy on the road and is also the tour’s production manager / lighting director. He started work for the Alan Jackson camp at the end of 2017, initially as a backline tech, so all his stage and performance delivery technical skills have been able to shine through this period.

The 270-degree visual production design fitted expediently into six semi-trucks with Felps taking care of lighting, video and set, working

The Netherlands - Dutch indie pop group Son Mieux played two sold-out shows at Amsterdam’s Ziggo Dome recently, where 32 Claypaky Volero Cubes, provided by AED Group Netherlands, made their country-wide debut. Volero Cube is a compact IP66 moving head that seamlessly merges beam, wash and strobe effects with pixel-to-pixel control.

Son Mieux filled the Ziggo Dome with 17,000 fans each night, garnering praise for their quality sound and immersive concert experience.

Lighting and set designer Jasper Nijholt of Jasper Nijholt Lighting Design was tasked with creating a lighting and stage design that would have an open and layered appearance with dynamic elements visible throughout the show. “For Son Mieux, staying close to their fans and ensuring that they feel part of the energy of the show is crucial. The lighting and stage design contributed to th

UK - The Ballymoney Church of God is a Pentecostal evangelical church that has served its community in County Antrim, Northern Ireland for 75 years. The church has recently celebrated the refurbishment of its Sanctuary which included the design and installation of a new Nexo Geo M6 line array sound system.

“We had previously installed PS15-R2 point source speakers at Ballymoney, so the church was already familiar with the performance and clarity of Nexo systems,” reports Rea Sound director Roger McMullan.

“Part of the new brief was to propose a system with exceptional clarity for voice reproduction and the power to handle live music, while achieving consistent coverage throughout the space.

“Left and right clusters of three Nexo Geo M6s beneath a single MSUB12 delivered all the performance criteria with the benefit of a low visual imp

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