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19 December 2024

USA - Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band are continuing their energetic performances and monumental live sets decades after their inception. On their current tour, which began in 2023, fans are enjoying the music of an extended 19-member E Street Band through a Cohesion PA system, provided by Clair Global. 

Led by tour director George Travis and production manager Sean Magovern, the touring audio team is a close-knit affair, and the synergy and respect seen on-stage – thanks to the professionalism of Springsteen – is reflected in this crew.

The tour’s three-hour set list has been hand-picked from an extensive music catalogue, built around their 2020 album (and Springsteen’s 20th studio album), Letter to You. The creative process to put this production together is revealed in Road Diary: Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band,

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19 December 2024

India - Martin Audio’s versatile loudspeakers have been tasked with reproducing many musical genres to optimum effect over the generations. But one of the most demanding must be the spirituality of Indian Sufi music, as performed by one of the leading exponents, Bismil ki Mehfil (Mohd Asif).

His recent concert outdoors at Delhi Technological University (DTU) was a spectacular showcase of Sufi fusion music. Having been studying since the age of five under the tutelage of maestros from the Moradabad and Delhi gharanas, he captivated an audience of between 8,000 people with soulful renditions, including his hit single Tere Bina and his popular cover of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s Kali Kali Zulfon Ke Phande. To capture the concert’s deep emotion and electrifying energy, leaving the audience spellbound, required all the powers of Martin Audio

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18 December 2024

Saudi Arabia - Renkus-Heinz has announced a distribution partnership with Hasoub, a premier regional distributor specialising in Extra Low Voltage (ELV) systems and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) solutions, based in Jeddah.

This collaboration marks a pivotal step in Renkus-Heinz’s expansion in the Middle East, where the demand for professional AV integration solutions is rapidly growing.

“MEA is one of the most promising yet challenging regions when it comes to delivering best-in-class professional solutions,” says Karan Kathuria, director of sales and development for Asia at Renkus-Heinz. “Renkus-Heinz is committed to offering the best customer experiences in the region via its advanced engineered solutions.

“With recent shifts in customer expectations, both pre- and post-sales, we wanted to restructure our go-to-ma

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18 December 2024

France - Madame Loyal Marseille, a two-day indoor festival that combined theatrical performances and electronic music from artists such as Acid Arab, Vitalic and Worakls Orchestra, took place at the Parc Chanot on 29-30 November.

Under the direction of production manager Aurel Quiévreux and audio engineer/consultant Probe (Sebastien Jovys) and in collaboration with Concept Group, Alive and Funktion-One distributor for France Solution One, the show featured Funktion-One systems in both rooms.

This included a Vero VX system in the main room (Grand Palais) with a 21 F124 cardioid bass array, Evolution X in-fill and PSM318 DJ monitors, and an Evo 7T system with a 14 F124 cardioid bass array and PSM318 DJ monitors in the second room (Palais de l'Europe).

Quiévreux, who has been involved in electronic music events since the 1990s, was keen to ele

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18 December 2024

China - Guangzhou Cantonese Opera Theatre, formerly known as the Guangzhou Cantonese Opera Troupe, was established in 1953. The building is located in Yuexiu district, Guangzhou city and has a total floor area of about 40,000sq.m, including a 1,200-seat Grand Theatre, a 500-seat theatre and three 60-seat cinemas.

DiGiCo has played a part in the co-creation of two new theatres for the space, Hung Sin-nui Theatre and Red Bean Hall. An SD5 is installed in the Hung Sin-nui Theatre and a Quantum 338 in the smaller Red Bean Hall.

Cantonese Opera is one of the traditional Chinese opera genres, with a history spanning more than 300 years. The building of these two brand-new facilities will form a cultural centre for the world of Cantonese Opera and ensure a solid base for its revitalisation.

In recent years, Guangzhou Cantonese Opera Theatre (GOH) ha

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18 December 2024

UK - Established in 2011, London brewery Signature Brew’s stated mission is to “unite people through the power of fresh beer, great music and unforgettable experiences”. The company has created beers with artists including Mogwai, IDLES, Mastodon and Enter Shikari over the years and also operates music venues within its Blackhorse Road, Walthamstow and Haggerston, Hackney locations.

The Blackhorse Road venue recently received a significant audio upgrade (supplied by Hertfordshire-based AV specialists Patchwork London) with an Allen & Heath SQ6 compact digital mixer at the heart of the new system. With the venue requiring setup and teardown for each event, Signature Brew needed a system that was both flexible and easy to deploy. Partnered with an Allen & Heath AR2412 AudioRack, the SQ6 was the chosen solution, as Signature Brew founder Sam McGre

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17 December 2024

USA - Southwest Value Partners, AEG, and L-Acoustics have announced that L-Acoustics is the latest entertainment industry leader to open office space at Nashville Yards. Expected to launch in the summer of 2025, it will become the company’s major operations and creative hub for the Americas, joining its global hubs in Paris, Los Angeles, London, and Singapore.

“The opening of our Americas headquarters in Nashville, the Music City, marks a significant milestone for L-Acoustics globally and reinforces our commitment to serving our partners throughout North America from a central location, said Laurent Vaissié, co-CEO of L-Acoustics.

"Being part of this dynamic creative hub perfectly aligns with our ambition to connect people through the best-shared sound experience, building a vibrant community with the most creative artists and entertainment prof

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17 December 2024

UK - Strictly Come Dancing, the BBC’s flagship dance competition that has enthralled millions since its 2004 debut, relied on Shure to deliver audio and ensure that the musical performances could be enjoyed to the fullest. Filmed at Elstree Film Studios, Strictly Come Dancing features celebrities paired with professional dancers who compete weekly, showcasing their technical skill and emotional storytelling.

Behind the glamorous facade of sequined costumes, dramatic performances and music lies an intricate technical landscape in which audio technology plays a crucial role in capturing every moment. Thanks to its reliability, stability, control and quality, Axient Digital Wireless System was chosen by Terry Tew Sound and Light (TTSL) to be deployed across the show's complex production.

“Elstree Film Studios, with its multiple sta

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17 December 2024

UK - Polar has announced the launch of Polar Leasing, which will allow its customers the freedom to finance any product or service Polar provides. The scheme will enable Polar customers to better align their investments with their goals, or allow them to offer their own customers the flexibility to finance purchases.

Polar Leasing allows customers to use assets without upfront purchase over a lease duration customised to align with their working capital needs. During an agreed term a customer makes fixed payments classified as operational expenses, which are 100% tax deductible. The customer can settle the lease at any time or at the end of the leasing period will pay a nominal fee to take ownership. This flexible arrangement also allows customers to upgrade equipment during the lease period, ensuring that they have access to the most up-to-date technology.<

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17 December 2024

UK - Part of the Merlin family who operate predominantly in the South-West, the 500-capacity Regal Theatre in Redruth occupies a 1930s art deco building, doubling between cinema and live events.

Local contractors, TruCru, were brought in recently to overhaul the theatre PA, replacing an archaic system with a Martin Audio FlexPoint solution. As a community facility, the new PA needed to demonstrate the versatility to cater for a wide variety of shows – ranging from am dram, touring tribute acts, operatic societies and nationally recognised stand-up comedians, with a high SPL. Most importantly, it needed to banish the pre-existing hotspotting that was evident in a challenging building with a balcony tier and an acoustically difficult ‘stepped’ ceiling above.

While TruCru have had widespread experience specifying the manufacturer’s popular CDD s

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17 December 2024

UK - MT Helmets MSI, 2024 Moto2 team championship winners, wanted its new dual-truck hospitality suite to hold pole position in the MotoGP paddock, so approached Audio-Technica, who recommended Optimal Audio and its commercial audio ecosystem.

Audio-Technica has close links to the MotoGP production, working side-by-side with the media company behind the series, Dorna Sports, to develop and deliver both trackside and on-board microphone technologies for race-day audio capture, and were pleased to be asked to help the MT Helmets MSI team with a solution.

The racing team’s requirement was for a high-quality audio system that would operate across the two-truck demountable build, but remain simple to set up and use for the team’s crew and non-technical hospitality suite staff. To link the audio system across the trucks, Audio-Technica created custom-d

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17 December 2024

UK - Situated in the garden village of Port Sunlight on the Wirral, the historic Gladstone Theatre began life as an assembly and recreation hall with a platform stage for entertainment. The half-timbered and red-brick structure was opened by Prime Minister William Gladstone in 1891 and saw a proscenium stage added in the 1920s. Converted to a theatre in the 1950s, the Gladstone continues to stage a diverse range of commercial productions from an eclectic range of artists.

Music of every type, comedy, theatre, pantomime, variety, and dance all feature at the 400-seater venue, which is also used by local societies and youth groups.

Catering for such a wide range of productions demands a versatile sound system, and the Gladstone recently took the decision to improve its audio provision with the installation of a Coda Audio solution. Venue technology spe

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17 December 2024

Spain - Spatial audio brand TiMax will showcase the recently launched TiMax panLab on stand 7A300 at ISE 2025 (Integrated Systems Europe - Fira de Barcelona, Gran Via – 4-7 Feb 2025). For the first time since its launch, the macOS application will be available for hands-on demonstration to a Europe-wide audience. TiMax panLab is the first major product release since both TiMax and panLab joined the Focusrite stable, marking the first step in an exciting roadmap of product extensions and updates.

Free to download from the TiMax website, panLab packs a loaded feature set to enable the simple and intuitive creation of spatialised audio designs in both entry-level and large-scale systems. Adding 3D rendering capabilities to QLab, alongside a wide range of mixing consoles and system processors and now for the first time, TiMax SoundHub, TiMax panLab democratise

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17 December 2024

UK - HH Audio, part of the Headstock Group, has announced the promotion of Emma Thompson to the position of marketing manager with responsibility for developing and executing HH Audio brand campaigns globally.

Headstock Group CEO James Laney comments: “Having started at Headstock Group on our marketing apprenticeship programme in 2022, Emma quickly demonstrated an aptitude for adding value to the business, bringing a critical eye to brand aesthetics and a dynamic approach to content creation. Having been promoted to a marketing associate role 12 months ago, Emma has been very productive working across multiple campaigns and different brands within the group.”

Thompson adds: “I’m excited to be taking up my new position, especially given the exciting product launches that we have planned for 2025. It’s a challenge I’m really looking forward

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16 December 2024

USA - Professional Wireless Systems (PWS) has been delivering RF support and solutions since 1994, and this year, the company celebrates its 30th anniversary. Based on the brand’s 30-year reputation and decades of experience in the industry, PWS has supported a range of high-profile broadcast and live event projects. PWS’ clients rely on the team for design and deployment services, helping to continuously deliver world-class events to their audiences.

PWS has offered services, event management and frequency coordination for various high-profile events over the years, such as every Super Bowl Halftime Show since 1997, award shows, music festivals, corporate events and major league sports.

In the 1980s and 1990s wireless microphone use experienced tremendous growth in the United States. At that time, the founder of PWS James Stoffo worked

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16 December 2024

India - Shillong, with its vibrant music culture and awe-inspiring landscapes, has once again proved itself as a premier live music destination – all thanks to the Cherry Blossom Festival 2024.

Manoj Singh, director of live events technical solutions provider KG Movie, says that for his team, the festival wasn’t just another project – it was a labour of love. “From breathtaking performances by global legends and Indian stars to the flawless sound engineering that elevated each act, the Main Stage at the Cherry Blossom Festival 2024 has become a testament to what’s possible when artistry and technology align,” he states.

Held on 15-16 November at the sprawling RBDSA Sports Complex, this celebration drew an attendance of over 50,000 visitors on each of its two days. Acts featured on the main stage included AKON, Boney M, and Clean Bandit, s

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13 December 2024

UK - The £100k Funding Campaign for 2030 Outdoor Event Sector’s Climate Transition Plan has hit 75%. Wide support from across the sector has secured production of the Show Must Go On Sector Transition Plan, which will set ambitious climate plans for 2030 for the festival and live outdoor events industry.

Chris Johnson, Vision: 2025 chair, states: “The working group is delighted by the widespread support from an industry struggling against the economic backdrop in 2024. This is an acknowledgement that now is the time to show leadership and ambition in taking action, meeting the urgent challenge of climate breakdown, and coming together as an industry to chart a clear path.”

Vision:2025 is working with the AIF and other industry organisations to raise the final 25% to reach the £100k target. The remaining funds will underpin the promot

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13 December 2024

UK - After another year of ‘inspiring and groundbreaking entries’, the ABTT’s Stephen Joseph Committee faced a challenge in selecting the 2024 Award winner, which honours innovative and inclusive theatre excellence.

Named in tribute to leading post-war British theatre pioneer and founding ABTT member, the Stephen Joseph Award celebrates the bold ways in which theatre practitioners push boundaries in using theatre space and forging close, creative connections between performers and audiences.

After a lively and passionate discussion about the submissions, the judging panel reached a unanimous decision: the 2024 ABTT Stephen Joseph Award goes to Frozen Light, a Norwich-based company that is revolutionising multi-sensory theatre for audiences with profound and multiple learning disabilities.

Presented at the ABTT Christmas Party, Bob Milli

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13 December 2024

Nigeria - Mr Panther, a recent addition to Lagos’ nightlife, is a high-energy resto-lounge. Owned by the Standalone Group, the venue is located on the seventh floor of The Avenue Suites Hotel, offering a dynamic atmosphere that transitions from a fine dining experience into a vibrant lounge as the night progresses.

With its gold-accented interiors, sleek glass façades, and an overall design that epitomises opulence, Mr Panther aims to leave a lasting impression on every guest. KV2 Audio was chosen to create an audio system to match this elevated vision.

The project resulted from a collaboration between Standalone Group and Freehand Acoustics. When the group decided to expand into Lagos, they brought Freehand Acoustics into the fold during the concept phase. “We were brought on board to design and commission the sound system. This allowed us to c

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12 December 2024

UK - This year, at the ABTT Members' Christmas Party on Friday 6 December, the Association of British Theatre Technicians, with the support of ETC and LW Theatres, honoured four of its members by awarding them Honorary Membership and Fellowship for their extraordinary work.

ABTT co-chairs Mig Burgess and David Evans kicked off the afternoon at the Gillian Lynne Theatre, welcoming the crowd and sharing the exciting news that this year, more members than ever would be celebrated. The Awards began by announcing that there were “two exceptional individuals whose contributions to the Association have been nothing short of extraordinary. This prestigious recognition of Honorary Membership is reserved only for those who have truly excelled in advancing the ABTT’s charitable goals – and these two individuals have certainly done just that.”

The first

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12 December 2024

India - Headquartered in Mumbai, Neo Entertainment is one of India’s premier event production companies. With a promise to continually deploy the latest tech and expertise, they recently upgraded their front-line PA, investing in a Martin Audio WPC line array. They placed a significant order with territory distributors, Vardhaman Megatech Pvt Ltd (VMT), comprising 16 WPC tops and eight SXH subwoofers, along with iK42 amp racks and accessories.

Speaking of the purchase, Neo Entertainment director, Betson Carvalho said, “Choosing the Martin Audio WPC system has been a transformative step for Neo Entertainment. This powerful combination of components has revolutionised our sound capabilities, delivering clear, dynamic and impactful audio that truly elevates events. Martin Audio’s renowned precision and reliability provide us with the confidence to push th

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12 December 2024

USA - Goldsboro, North Carolina, is home to the historic Paramount Theatre. Built in 1882 as an office building, its high Victorian Italianate style was noted for its ornamental features such as quoins, arched windows, and cornices. Over the years, the building has been used in many different ways – including a temporary synagogue, vaudeville theatre, and movie house.

In 1993, the renovated building was donated to the City of Goldsboro, and the city managed the theatre for the next 12 years. Early one morning in February 2005, a fire destroyed the Paramount Theatre. The loss of the theatre was personal to many members of the community. However, the theatre was rebuilt and officially reopened in February 2008. The Paramount Theatre’s auditorium has a capacity of 500, with seating for approximately 350 on the lower level and 150 in the balcony.

The

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12 December 2024

USA - Custer Road United Methodist Church in Plano, TX, faced a challenge: its sanctuary's traditional architecture and high ceilings, while beautiful, were creating audio issues that prevented the congregation from fully connecting during services. Recognising this, church leadership wanted to improve audio quality to foster a more engaging worship experience.

Custer Road UMC wanted a modern audio upgrade to match its sanctuary’s refreshed look and offer clear, consistent sound. “The church underwent a major renovation, and part of that effort was to ensure the technical systems were up to date,” says Shawn Slocum, account manager at Electro Acoustics. “We knew it was time to improve the audio system, and EAW’s AC6 ADAPTive system was the perfect solution.”

Custer Road UMC discovered the capabilities of the AC6 Column Loudspeaker during

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12 December 2024

Namibia - Liefde By Die Nam (LBDN) is a yearly event dedicated to Afrikaans music. 2024’s Liefde By die Nam took place in Windhoek, the capital of Namibia on 21 September, and event production specialists dB Audio Namibia brought the party to life by leveraging groundbreaking audio solutions supplied and supported by Stage Audio Works Namibia.  

To meet the complex audio demands of the event, dB Audio chose the Yamaha DM7 console for FOH mixing, which marked the first deployment of this model in Namibia. With its compact yet powerful design, the DM7 proved a perfect fit for the festival’s outdoor setup. "The DM7 is a self-contained, powerful, and versatile solution that slots in well to our operations here in Namibia," agree local sound engineers Gerhardus Engelbrecht and Titus Augustinus. dB Audio also supplied the trusted Y