UK - The National Trust team at Anglesey Abbey in the Cambridgeshire village of Lode recently opened its gates for its Winter Lights - a night-time trail through the heritage gardens of the listed Jacobean Abbey. Pearce Hire were the clear choice for the Abbey’s events team as they designed and activated the brief for an enchanting 2km lighting and audio nature trail through the grounds and taking in the House, Mill and the aptly named Winter Garden. “We may be better known in the industry for providing technical production support for festivals and tours, but this garden brief really got our creative side going”, says Jim Brown, general manager, Pearce Hire. “This year’s production took on another dimension and we were very happy to embrace this, and work in close collaboration with the team at Anglesey Abbey to help achieve their vision. “
USA - Extreme Lighting & Sound (ELS) recently wrapped up its first season presenting Holiday Wonders at Bowie Nature Park in Fairview, Tennessee. The drive-thru holiday light show featured atmosphere-generating effects from a large amount of Elation lighting gear along with custom pixel products and proved a huge success. ELS was approached by the city of Fairview in September to create and run the show after an initial contractor pulled out, which gave the design and production company only two short months to get everything together. “We agreed to do the Christmas light show but knew we were on a tight schedule as opening day was scheduled for the day after Thanksgiving,” recalled ELS president Austin Grundberg about the start of the project. “We basically put the whole show together in eight weeks from design, product specification/supply and setu
Greece - Opened in October 2021 and located in downtown Athens next to the Old Parliament, the hotel Xenodocheio Milos boasts 43 luxury guest rooms and suites. Athens’ newest boutique hotel is also home to estiatorio Milos, a restaurant that joins a select group of Milos restaurants already established in New York, Las Vegas, Miami and London, delivering executive chef and founder Costas Spiliadis’ world celebrated take on Mediterranean cuisine. With the concept of ‘philoxenia’ - the sacred art of making a stranger feel at home - at the heart of the Milos customer offering, the quality and discreetness of the restaurant’s sound system are of particular importance. Accordingly, the Milos group contacted local AV and hospitality technology specialists Stereopark who turned to their colleagues IMA Audio Lighting, Nexo’s distributor in Greece, to design a system that
Jordan - Amman Academy’s new theatre space is open for 2022, offering students and educators professional lighting with a range of Strand and Vari-Lite luminaires and control from Signify. The private school, which is renowned in Jordan for its academic excellence, constructed the new theatre space to offer performance, rehearsal, and meetings facilities. Its lighting solution needed to be adaptable, encourage creativity and provide reliable workhorse and effects fixtures. The Academy’s team approached Amman-based International New Technical Est. (INTE), a systems integrator specialising in theatre installations. INTE’s project manager Hashem Nazzal specified a Strand Neo console for control, with the Vari-Lite VL2600 Spot on colour-rich effects duty. “One of the most important requirements of this project was flexibility and effects options, and the VL26
France The Domaine de Mas de Pierre is a newly refurbished, five-star hotel and resort located in Saint-Paul de Vence, on the Mediterranean coast. Set within the heart of a 20-acre garden, the resort comprises nine authentic, Provencal country houses with 76 suites and a selection of restaurants, bars, a spa, and several indoor and outdoor meeting spaces. As part of the resort’s recent renovations, hotel management wanted to upgrade their AV system to a networked, multi-zone installation with local and centralised control to best manage sound for its many different spaces. And because some distance separates the resort's guesthouses and main buildings, a sound system built upon a blended analogue and digital audio network with standard and Dante-enabled amplifiers from LEA Professional was needed. The hotel brought in local systems integration firm Inovasystem to des
Belgium - Studio Zuid in Antwerp has transformed its entertainment offering with the purchase of a TiMax SoundHub-S64 spatial processor with MADI I/O. The venue’s semi-circular amphitheatre-like auditorium plays host to a wide and popular variety of immersive musical dining experiences, the first of which was an immersive production of The Bodyguard, originally made famous by the Whitney Houston film and award-winning soundtrack. Sound designer and venue audio director, Erik Loots, had a big vision for the type of production the venue needed and the level of audio flexibility he wanted for shows like The Bodyguard. For him, “TiMax was essential”. He explains: “I needed TiMax because of its capability of dealing with both channel-based and object-based audio. I have always been a fan of TiMax and its flexibility when it comes to immersive applications an
The Netherlands - The Mariakerk church in the small town of Oirschot, in the southern Netherlands, has been fitted with Prolights EclDisplay fixtures, a series of small LED spotlights made for fixed installations. The retrofit included the EclDisplay DATWhite black fixtures, in 3,000K, with 25° - 50° wash lenses. The units are currently set in stand-alone mode but prepared to take a DMX data line, so it can later be controlled through the lighting protocol. The EclDisplay series includes a 25W white LED emitter and data control through DMX, Dali T6 or knob-dimming. The series score over 90 in CRI and have a very efficient output thanks to the redesigned source and optics. “We wanted to change the older tungsten units with a more efficient source,” said Jos Tra of Muziek Service Schijndel, the company behind the installation. “The EclDisplay series looked like
UK - Although American production manager Jon Bumgarner has wide experience working arenas in the UK’s major cities, for the recent Christmas With Il Divo tour - earlier postponed because of COVID - he relied on the help of Entec Live’s techs. Representing Los Angeles-based production company Eighteentwentysix, he says that one of the reasons he partnered with Entec for the UK shows was for their intimate knowledge of smaller 2000-3000-cap venues in secondary locations that the multi-national quartet were playing. The other reason was that they could single source all the technical infrastructure required. “I have done a lot of shows in the UK over the last 15 years but mostly arenas in big cities such as London, Birmingham, Manchester. But a lot of places on this tour were new to me,” he admits. Il Divo is a new account for Eighteentwentysix. Explaining
France The Domaine de Mas de Pierre is a newly refurbished, five-star hotel and resort located in Saint-Paul de Vence, on the Mediterranean coast. Set within the heart of a 20-acre garden, the resort comprises nine authentic, Provencal country houses with 76 suites and a selection of restaurants, bars, a spa, and several indoor and outdoor meeting spaces. As part of the resort’s recent renovations, hotel management wanted to upgrade their AV system to a networked, multi-zone installation with local and centralised control to best manage sound for its many different spaces. And because some distance separates the resort's guesthouses and main buildings, a sound system built upon a blended analogue and digital audio network with standard and Dante-enabled amplifiers from LEA Professional was needed. The hotel brought in local systems integration firm Inovasystem to des
UAE - Despite the pandemic, Dubai celebrated the arrival of 2022 in style, with a grand festival of events. Principal among these was the Laser & Light Show at the mesmerising Burj Khalifa, created and produced by ECA2 with Patrick Awouters (LSE) at the helm of the light and laser element of the production. The company also drew on its inventory of PR Lighting fixtures, deploying 250 of its newly-acquired Aqua 580 Beam waterproof moving heads. These lined up alongside 60 RGB lasers, ranging from 60W up to a powerful 100W. The fully-featured IP66-rated Aqua 580 Beam produces a powerful output from a 550W engine, housing PR's patent optics and a tight 2° beam angle. They were recommended by LSE MD Patrick Awouters, project managing the lighting with his son Nathan. The fixtures had been purchased specifically for this project. Awouters admits that rigging th
Albania - The Lift Steak & Rooftop Bar is a new 500-capacity venue in the Albanian capital of Tirana - owned and operated by the Revo Hospitality Group and situated in the ABA Business Centre. Specialising in providing a mix of lounge, dance and pop music, the venue brought in Prosound, Martin Audio’s Albanian distributor, to provide the sound reinforcement, having earlier provided the sound system for another well-known pub restaurant in Tirana, operated by the same owners. Prosound technical director, Endrit Veleshnja, designed the system based around Martin Audio’s cost-efficient BlacklineX and CDD (Coaxial Differential Dispersion) series, explaining, “BlacklineX series has continuously proven to be the ideal speaker in situations where quality sound with moderately high SPL levels needs to be combined with affordability.” Inside, they have install
Thailand - Established in 1955, the Chonprathan Wittaya School is a private institution with over 6,000 students attending elementary, primary, and secondary level programmes in both Thai and English. Located just outside Bangkok, the school has recently built a planetarium to screen earth and space documentaries as part of the educational curriculum. System integrators Be Balance, along with local L-Acoustics certified provider Vision One, used L-Acoustics Soundvision software to develop 5.1 and 7.1 surround systems, considering the architectural specifications of the space, which was still under construction. The school’s technical team was confident with the pedigree of L-Acoustics solutions, recognising the brand from projects such as the high-profile Royal Cremation Ceremony of the late Thai King Bhumibol, where Vision One provided audio across the 66-day event. Rely
USA - After operating as a mobile church for more than 20 years, Grace Chapel opened a multi-purpose facility in Wilsonville, Oregon for church services and community outreach. In addition to a sanctuary (which doubles as a basketball/volleyball court), the facility hosts classrooms, meeting spaces, and even a non-profit coffee shop. The main loudspeaker location is immediately in front of the proscenium wall. Any rear-radiating energy would reflect off the wall, interfering with speech intelligibility and clarity of music. Additionally, the wide footprint of the audience area required a solution with precise pattern control to optimise coverage. Nick Moon from Tone Proper AV was chosen to create a high-fidelity sound system for church services and other performances in Grace Chapel’s new sanctuary. Moon installed five FL283T Line Array Modules on either side of the
Taiwan - A thriving hub for the arts in the capital city of Taipei, the Taiwan Traditional Theatre Centre is now the permanent home to the Guoguang Opera Company and the National Chinese Orchestra while also hosting a wide variety of other events on a rental basis. With the recent installation of a Constellation acoustic system - the first in Taiwan - the centre has enhanced the audience experience across all musical genres while at the same time reducing operating expenses and often eliminating costly down time between performances. The impetus behind the eventual installation of Constellation stems from the original concept behind the centre’s main 1,055-seat performance hall, as explained by technical director Huai-min Jen. “When the centre was first proposed nearly 10 years ago, the resident opera company was transitioning to the use of wireless reinforce
South Africa - Just a short drive from Cape Town’s vibrant business and commercial centre, GrandWest Casino and Entertainment World is home to various dining establishments, an ice rink and the renowned Grand Arena - a 5,000-capacity multi-purpose venue that has played host to international acts such as Bryan Adams, Sting, James Blunt, Rammstein and Kylie Minogue. In 2020, the venue underwent a complete refit of its PA system, with L-Acoustics K Series chosen for its ability to fulfil international touring riders and deliver quality audio. “Our previous PA system was installed when the venue was built in 2007 and had served us well for almost 14 years. It had allowed us to establish the Grand Arena as the go to destination for well-known local and international artists and bands, corporate events, launches, conferences and spectacular banquets,” says Dave Lombard
USA - It isn’t listed in the credits, but the city of Los Angeles skyline with the San Gabriel Mountains in the background played a key supporting role in the HBO Original series Insecure. Many of the most memorable scenes in the multiple Primetime Emmy Award winning show, took place against this backdrop. Given the skyline’s association with Insecure, it was only fitting that Los Angeles’ Kenneth Hahn State Park, which affords 360-degree views of the city, was chosen as the site for the red-carpet event celebrating the comedy’s final season premiere. “This beautiful and expansive park was perfect for our event,” said Barrett Hall of Invoke Entertainment, which oversaw all creative and technical aspects of the premiere screening and after party. “The site is in close proximity to the neighbourhoods where much of the series took place. Also
The Netherlands - October saw the Pathé Tuschinski in Amsterdam celebrate 100 years of being the Netherlands’ most prestigious cinema. Described in 2021 as ‘the most beautiful movie theatre in the world’ by Time Out magazine, the centenary was marked with a special programme throughout the month, including classic film screenings. Despite its long history, Pathé Tuschinski is a thoroughly 21st century movie house, with Alcons Audio pro-ribbon systems installed in the main auditorium and second screen. Pathé Tuschinski is regularly used for ‘red carpet’ premieres and - with three more auditoriums added by the purchase of the next-door cinema in the 1980s - audiences can watch films in the luxury of its restored Art Deco interior, with plush seating, private boxes, ‘love seats’ and at-seat delivery of food and drink. Helping to keep the venu
USA - The Breakers resort nestled on 140 acres of ocean front property on Palm Beach, has been a favourite gathering spot of world leaders and celebrities since it opened its grandiose doors in 1896. Recently, a new chapter was written when The Breakers hosted a two-day private birthday celebration produced by Todd Events that began with a performance by Grammy Award winner John Legend. Setting an appropriately glittery mood for the affair was a sophisticated lighting design by Tony Milliet that featured Chauvet Professional Maverick, Rogue and Ovation fixtures as well as MVP LED panels supplied by See Hear Productions. Milliet worked closely with the See-Hear team: Patrick Theriot, production designer; Stephen Barnette, LD for the courtyard; and Scott Lewis, production manager; as well as Austin Breckenridge and Jeff Kurihara. Todd Fiscus, event designer and Kristin
Australia - AV production company Novatech Creative Event Technology was involved in a large winter event in Adelaide, called Illuminate Adelaide and supplied Elation’s IP65 Proteus Hybrid moving head for a special lighting installation that left a memorable impact. Billed as a celebration of innovation, music, art, light and technology, Illuminate Adelaide lit up the city with a programme of events. As presenting partners, Novatech was the technical supplier of the event’s signature project - Light Cycles. Illuminate Adelaide engaged Montreal-based multimedia studio Moment Factory for the creative, design and immersive content while Novatech provided all the gear and crew. As a featured artist at the new annual event, Moment Factory took over Adelaide Botanic Gardens with Light Cycles, an outdoor digital art experience that used light and music to
USA - Metallica treated their fans to two epic concerts at San Francisco’s Chase Centre in December, celebrating 40 years of music and performance. Lighting designer Rob Koenig collaborated closely with production designer Dan Braun whose stunning visual architecture - featuring 45 large multi-layered and overlapping video surfaces - set the visual tone for this in-the-round live retrospective. While the screens were key for showcasing playback video, interviews, artwork, and other archival material spanning the last four decades, lighting highlighted both Metallica and their audience. Needing a powerful, dynamic, and flexible lighting solution for these shows, Rob and Dan chose 148 Robe BMFL WashBeam moving lights to be the heart of the lighting rig, plus another 16 BMFL WashBeams which were running on four RoboSpot systems. Apart from 19 x moving LED bars, th
Saudi Arabia - Taif University recently completed a major upgrade of its audio capabilities in partnership with Smart Cities Technologies (SCT) and ClearOne. “When it comes to distance learning at Taif, instructors use video conferencing in the lecture halls to collaborate with the undergraduate and graduate student population of the university’s women’s campus,” explained Moath M Yousef, Sr. AV pre-sales & product manager of SCT. “And university staff members were facing many problems with the audio, mainly echo and disconnection issues.” In addition, according to Yousef, classes with many students found it very difficult to constantly move the microphone between participants for the far end of the room to clearly hear questions and discussions. In fact, these video collaboration classes often required dedicated supervisors to be present to move the mi
UK - Glaswegian Gerry Cinnamon is a singer-songwriter, acoustic guitarist and harmonica player whose star has been steadily rising in recent years. Since 2014 he’s released 10 singles and two albums, the second of which (2020’s The Bonny) debuted at number one in the UK and Irish Albums Charts. Martin Capaldi and Will Nicholson (monitors and FOH respectively) worked extensively with Cinnamon through 2021 as live performances got going again post-COVID (see LSi December 2021 for more on this). The shows were some of the first in the UK to use DiGiCo’s new Quantum 338 at FOH, with an SD12 on stage, both supplied as part of the audio package by the production’s rental compa
USA - For years now, Lightswitch has relied on Elation’s IP65 Proteus line to add dynamic flair to Enchanted: Forest of Light at Descanso Gardens in Southern California. For the recently completed 2021 iteration, the visual design group upgraded to Proteus Maximus and Proteus Lucius luminaires to add power and reimagine portions of the popular winter night time experience. Tailor-made to enhance the historic botanical garden’s geography and flora, Enchanted: Forest of Light is an immersive, one-mile walk through colourful and dazzling lighting displays accompanied by sound and music. Lightswitch has been responsible for lighting design and creative direction since the attraction debuted in 2016. Other garden light shows such as Illumination at the Morton Arboretum in Illinois, also a Lightswitch project, were able to pivot to a drive-thru exper
USA - Tony Bennett recently took to the stage for the One Last Time concerts at New York’s Radio City Music Hall alongside long-time friend and collaborator Lady Gaga. As this is likely to be the last time audiences see Bennett perform live, the concerts were captured and aired as a CBS special on 28 November 2021. Grammy Award-winning audio engineers Jody Elff and John Harris of Harris-Elff Audio Resources (HEAR) selected a variety of DPA Microphones for the orchestral recording. “The audience was full of love for Tony Bennett, and it was a powerful couple of nights of music,” says Elff. “We were live on-stage at Radio City Music Hall, one of the greatest venues in the world, with a large orchestral ensemble. We also had Tony’s jazz ensemble and Lady Gaga’s rhythm section on-stage, in addition to full string and brass sections, a harp and a few woodwinds.
