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07 July 2025

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

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07 July 2025

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

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07 July 2025

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

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07 July 2025

China - Innovation, energy, and global ambition took centre stage as Absen’s Global DOOH & Sports Summer Event wrapped up in style at the company’s Dongjiang Intelligent Manufacturing Centre. Attended by industry leaders from around the world, the event delivered a showcase of next-gen digital-out-of-home (DOOH) display technology and intelligent sports venue solutions, all backed by a 10-year warranty.

At the heart of the event was the unveiling of Absen’s A25 Series, a low-carbon, energy-saving LED display system that captivated attendees with its remarkable performance. Consuming less than 1kWh per square metre daily, the A25 is set to deliver savings of up to $200,000 USD (approx.) in electricity costs over five years for a standard 300sq.m installation.

With its IP66 waterproof rating, all-aluminium build, and PWM driver chip, the A25

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07 July 2025

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

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07 July 2025

Europe - Elation has welcomed Alistair Smyth back to the Elation family. Alistair has rejoined Elation’s European team as key account manager, where he will support the company’s distribution partners and clients across the Nordic countries.

A 30-year industry veteran and familiar face in the lighting world, Alistair brings considerable experience in customer service, technical support, and sales, including an extensive background with some of the most respected lighting brands in the industry.

“It’s great to be back among my friends at Elation,” Alistair shares. “In our little industry, some of us are lucky enough to travel the world, meet amazing people, and see technology used to its fullest. But there's no place like home – and I’ve come home to rejoin my family at Elation. Thanks to Marc and the extended team for the warm welcome

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04 July 2025

UK - Over the past 50 years, Britannia Row Productions has grown into a globally recognised provider of world-class audio solutions, working with some of the biggest names in music, sports and live event production, guided by its leaders in the development and application of technical innovation, training and crew logistics.

The story began in 1975 when rock band Pink Floyd purchased a building at 35 Britannia Row, Islington, London, to house their rapidly growing touring equipment. The Britannia Row group of companies was formed to rent out Pink Floyd’s sound and lighting inventory to other bands during tour breaks. These companies were headed up by key crew members Robbie Williams, Mick Kluczynski and Graeme Fleming; Bryan Grant joined four years later to coordinate the rental activities under the banner of Britannia Row Productions.

In the early

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04 July 2025

India - Funktion-One has announced that Em-Tec, the loudspeaker manufacturer’s exclusive distributor for the GCC, is expanding into the Indian market. Headquartered in Dubai and led by audio industry veteran Andy Williams, Em-Tec is joining forces with Audio & Beyond (an EMIL company) to deliver Funktion-One systems to one of the world’s fastest growing markets.

This expansion builds on Em-Tec’s successful project history in India, which already includes prestigious venues such as Big Bull (Hyderabad), The Nines (Mumbai), Four Seasons (Mumbai), and Epitome (Pune). The move formalises the company’s presence in the region and lays the foundation for growth, with a goal of establishing showcase Funktion-One venues across the country. Audio & Beyond is an experienced AV solutions provider with bases in Hyderabad and Delhi.

All system desi

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04 July 2025

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

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04 July 2025

Mexico - Grupo ROA is a busy and creative event production supplier and equipment rental company based in Zinacantepec just west of the city of Toluca in Mexico State.

The company is run by entrepreneur and music enthusiast Rodolfo Oropeza, who runs several related companies and businesses located around a 10,000sq.m complex, land that has been in his family for many years.

Recently, the rental arm of ROA took delivery of their first Robe moving lights, with 20 x Fortes joining the inventory, followed by 48 x iPointes, part of a strategic investment by Rodolfo who appreciates the value and advantages of investing in a brand with high tech specifications.

Before making the decision to go for Robe, Rodolfo, by his own admission “more of an audio guy”, consulted with some lighting specialists, and the overall advice was to go for Robe.

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04 July 2025

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. “

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04 July 2025

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

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04 July 2025

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

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04 July 2025

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

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04 July 2025

Germany - d&b audiotechnik has announced Jocelyne Bückner as vice-president of marketing, starting from 1 July. In her new role, Bückner will lead the company’s global marketing strategy, driving brand growth and market expansion. She will focus on developing and executing a comprehensive marketing roadmap, ensuring alignment across all territories and supporting d&b’s continued growth and innovation.

Having worked at d&b audiotechnik from 2016 to 2023, she has a deep understanding of the company’s culture, values, and spirit. Bückner has successfully mentored and developed teams in the past. Most recently, she led Holoplot’s global marketing team.

“There’s a renewed energy and sense of direction at d&b that really resonates with me. Rejoining now feels like a natural step toward making a meaningful impact. Innovation a

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03 July 2025

Portugal - Lightware Visual Engineering has announced a new partnership with Sound and Light Systems (SLS), a leading Portuguese distributor of event audio solutions.  

Sound and Light Systems will act as a distributor for Lightware’s AV products, from extenders and matrix switchers to AV over IP technology. 

Sound and Light Systems boasts over 30 years of experience in the audiovisual sector, offering innovative and high-quality sound, light and technology solutions for live events with equipment that delivers impactful experiences.

“We are proud to join forces with Lightware, a company recognised for its technological excellence and innovation in the professional AV industry,” says Rui Nunes, CEO of SLS. “This partnership allows us to expand our offering with reliable, future-oriented solutions that meet the evolving needs of the

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03 July 2025

USA - 3G Productions has acquired Main Light’s 70,000sq.ft location in Nashville as part of its ongoing initiative to expand into a coast-to-coast, full-service production and systems integration provider.

3G Productions has taken over Main Light’s Antioch neighbourhood building, its full inventory, and all seven employees, who have now joined the 3G team. The shop’s complement of industry-leading lighting equipment is broad and deep, including brands like Robe, MA, Ayrton, Martin, Elation, Chauvet, Astera, and Tyler Truss, among others.

“The Nashville market has been a key focus as we execute our strategy of growing into a national full-service production company,” says 3G Productions CEO Keith Conrad. “With the acquisition of Main Light’s Tennessee branch, we get a world-class production warehouse, an experienced team of experts in th

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03 July 2025

USA - LEA Professional has announced its partnership with Audio Visual Associates (AVA), a manufacturer’s representative based in Missouri. This partnership promises to bring LEA’s technology catalogue to Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, and Southern Illinois customers.

This partnership will bring LEA Professional’s Network Connect series of professional amplifiers and companion Dante Connect series featuring Dante and AES67 connectivity to AVA’s customers. These series allow integrators to utilise cloud-based remote control, monitoring, notifications, and more from any internet-enabled device, allowing them to stay connected anywhere in the world.

“We’re excited to bring LEA Professional’s intelligent amplifier technology to our customers throughout the Midwest,” said Ben Shipman, president, AVA Reps. “Our team focuses on represen

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03 July 2025

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

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03 July 2025

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