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05 December 2024

UK - Sunbelt Rentals UK & Ireland has announced the acquisition of the businesses JL Lighting Limited, JL Live Limited and Digiset Limited (together the JLL Group), specialists in technical broadcast and production solutions.

With the addition of the JLL Group, Sunbelt Rentals is broadening its capabilities to offer a wider range of equipment, specialist knowledge and solutions for the film and TV, broadcast and events industries.

Founded in 2009, the JLL Group is a UK-based production and equipment rental partner known for its expertise in delivering technical production across a variety of sectors, including corporate events, conferences, live events and film and TV productions.

Additionally, this acquisition will bring a team of technical production specialists into Sunbelt Rentals’ Film and TV division. They will be based out of the

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05 December 2024

UK - As part of its 20th anniversary celebrations, Pharos Architectural Controls has released a new set of podcast episodes focusing on some of the projects that have been able to scale up – either in size or in the complexity of programming – thanks to Pharos.

The 20 Years of Pharos campaign is spotlighting 10 lighting professionals and 10 projects that have shaped the success of the company over the last two decades.

Renowned lighting professionals Nick Abel from LS Group in New Zealand, and Peter van Nuland from GVA Lighting in Canada both feature in this part of the campaign to chat through their careers and how working with Pharos has enabled them to bring both large and intricate projects to life.

The podcasts provide another deep dive into the ways in which Pharos technologies – and the teams behind the gear – work col

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05 December 2024

Argentina - Zactrack has announced Stage Tech as its new distribution partner for Argentina and Uruguay.

Stephan Saremba, managing director of Zactrack International, comments: “We are thrilled to join forces with Stage Tech on the mission of bringing automated tracking technology to Argentina and Uruguay. We are looking forward to working with their dedicated and recently grown team, which will allow us to strengthen relationships with existing Zactrack users in the region as well as to expand into new markets.”

Antonio Agra, managing director of Stage Tech, adds: “We thank Zactrack for the trust placed in Stage Tech and the opportunity to be part of the company´s global network. With our industry experienced team, we’ll be allowed to collaborate and achieve excellent results in our professional markets with Zactrack automated follow system

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05 December 2024

USA - Like the music it celebrates, The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony in Cleveland, Ohio, which just marked its 39th year, has also drawn on its ability to embrace new ideas to remain vibrant and relevant.

The 2024 ceremony provided a good example of this commitment, as a dynamic lighting design by Allen Branton that featured over 250 Chauvet Professional fixtures (supplied by 4Wall Entertainment), worked seamlessly with a Bruce Rodgers production design, and an immersive video design by Bianca Moncada of Darmah, to engage the live and TV audience on a deep level, all while supporting the activities on stage.

Much of the magic that happened inside the Rocket Mortgage Field House on a Saturday evening was made possible by the design team’s ongoing readiness to adapt to new technologies. This was most evident in the event

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05 December 2024

UK - British record producer, multi-instrumentalist and singer/songwriter Fred Again has gained palpable notoriety through emotive remixing, aided by live performances that create real excitement. His team trusts Britannia Row Productions to be part of that live evolution, one that has got the industry, and the electronic world, talking.

Following a successful career producing chat-topping tunes for many household names, Fred Again found his own way into the limelight, recording a collection of songs during lockdown before bagging a BRIT Award for his efforts. This year, his blend of atmospheric house saw him become a two-time Grammy winner.

His ambition to connect with fans has worked in every venue size. Originally, audio rental was a mere two radio mics, offered by Clair Global's Stuart Gilmore after he heard Marea (we've lost dancing) on

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05 December 2024

USA - Pacific Coast Entertainment (PCE), live event production company and AV equipment provider in Southern California, recently provided a premium sound system to the newly opened Great Park Live venue, using the Anya ADAPTive loudspeaker from EAW. Tom Pappanduros, production manager at PCE, led the installation of the system, showcasing technical expertise and commitment to high-quality sound for the City of Irvine’s innovative venue.

Nestled within the park's picturesque setting, Great Park Live offers an entertainment experience for guests of all ages. This venue has been so successful that the city of Irvine will continue to invest in a permanent amphitheatre, set to open in 2027.

Great Park Live offers acoustic challenges. “The venue is situated in the middle of neighbourhoods,” says Pappanduros. “We needed a sound system with enough c

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05 December 2024

USA - Antari Lighting and Special Effects will showcase the latest advancements in atmospheric and effect technology at this year’s LDI show, booth #1803. Antari will introduce three products focusing on large venue applications and its new Universal Voltage Technology, ensuring global adaptability.

Antari is expanding its popular M-series with the M-12, a powerful dual output stage fogger. Delivering an impressive output of dense, lingering fog, the M-12 transforms any environment with its extensive coverage. Its high-power capabilities create an immersive atmosphere for concerts, events, and productions.

The new F-12 Nebula fazer is designed with professional settings in mind. Its advanced heater design operates at a low temperature to produce dry, odourless haze, making it ideal for theatres and indoor venues.

Both the M-12 and F-12 feat

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05 December 2024

USA - Follow-Me will present two of its latest products to the US market at LDI 2024 (#1347). Follow-Me offers flexible tracking solutions that scale with the size of the show. Its Follow-Me 3D and Follow-Me Track-iT technologies allow users to merge and integrate with any lighting console, video, sound and automation system on the market.

The Follow-Me system is independent from any fixture manufacturer and can control any lighting fixture that can pan and tilt. Fixtures can be used not only as followspots, but also as general lighting and effects, while multiple fixtures can be allocated per performer using a single system. With Follow-Me Track-iT, users have access to a live view of the tracking area via the camera feed for both manual and automated operation, and can switch seamlessly between manual and automated tracking.

Over the past year, Fol

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04 December 2024

France - Showlight is extremely excited to announce the first of its speakers who will present Papers in May. The selection draws from a mixture of lighting disciplines covering site-specific installations, mixed lighting challenges, product innovation and circus spectaculars with speakers, new and familiar, travelling to Dijon to be part of this exceptional networking quadrennial.

Here’s the first of what the Showlight 2025 line-up has to offer:

The Magic of Cirque du Soleil - Mikki Kunttu will explain how he turns magic into reality as the lighting & set designer and programmer for a number of spectacular Cirque du Soleil shows.

The Power of Light: From Myth to Science to Control - Anne Militello will examine how lighting techniques used today to stir emotional reactions, date back centuries to when man first incorpor

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04 December 2024

UK/USA - Brompton Technology has announced Thor AV to its Panel Manufacturer Partner Programme as a blue partner. With over two decades of experience in the audiovisual industry and a history of delivering hundreds of successful installations across churches, concert venues, virtual production studios, and corporate lobbies in the US, Thor has built a strong reputation.

Thor now joins a network of partners, including ROE Visual, INFiLED, Absen, and Pixreal, as part of Brompton’s expanding Panel Manufacturer Partner Programme. Launched earlier this year, the initiative aims to strengthen collaboration with leading LED panel manufacturers. It recognises manufacturers who integrate Brompton’s Tessera LED processing into their standard product offerings, fostering closer partnerships while maintaining Brompton’s commitment to working with any manu

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04 December 2024

UK - Stephen Daldry’s National Theatre production of An Inspector Calls is a gripping and vivid adaptation of JB Priestley’s classic thriller. Having won numerous awards, including the Tony Award for Best Lighting Design, and having played to over five million theatregoers, the show has now returned for a new UK tour, with the previous one in 2022 being a record-breaking sell-out.

Having lit the original production back in 1992, and all of its subsequent runs, Olivier and Tony Award-winning lighting designer Rick Fisher is once again part of the creative team and approached White Light (WL), a d&b solutions company, to supply his rig; with the company having worked on the show since its original West End debut in 1995.

The play tells the story of Inspector Goole who arrives unexpectedly at the prosperous Birling family home where th

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04 December 2024

Monaco - Taking centre stage in Monaco’s Place du Casino, new bar, restaurant and club Amazónico Monte-Carlo invites guests to embark on a multi-sensory journey down the Amazon, with Latin-American cuisine and cocktails served in rainforest-inspired interiors.

Al fresco diners on the Restaurant Terrace are serenaded by jazz, bossa-nova and Cuban rhythms from live bands while resident DJs spin a blend of tropical beats for visitors to the Lounge & Club.

Quality sound is essential in a setting where music makes such an important contribution to the guest experience, but the sound system also needs to be discreet.

John Masson and the team at Nice-based live event technology and system integration specialists Dushow drew on Nexo’s compact and powerful ID, P+ and ePS Series point source speakers and NXAMPMk2 Powered TD Controllers to desi

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04 December 2024

USA - Toca Madera, a Mexican steakhouse by international hospitality group Noble 33, has opened its latest location in Houston, Texas, and features a 1 Sound audio system by Global AV Group.

To support daily background music and higher-energy evenings with live DJs or for private events, 1 Sound’s Cannon coaxials were the loudspeaker of choice because of their sonic clarity, fidelity, and SPL capability helping to fulfil the intimate and transformative setting for Toca Madera.

Global AV implemented mainly Cannon C8is throughout the 14,000sq.ft restaurant, the largest of any of Toca Madera’s locations. The Cannon C8s were deployed as a full-range speaker without the need of subwoofers. The Cannon C8 is designed with an 8” driver and a compression driver, and has an extended frequency response down to 55Hz; these qualities combined make the C8 so

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04 December 2024

USA - New Hampshire-based LD Brian Courchine, designer at the well-known Northland Music and Arts Festival, has made a career out of studying the inexorable connection between music and colour.

Courchine recently designed the lightshow for a sold-out concert at Infinity Hall in Hartford by Pink Talking Fish. Among the more successful tribute bands, Pink Talking fish combines the music of Pink Floyd, Talking Heads, and Phish, each evoking a different aura – and each lending itself to a different palette. Adding a little extra spice to this particular evening was the healthy serving of Beatles songs thrown into the set.

Following the music with his colour rendering skills, Courchine immersed each song in hues that fit it like a glove. “I try to make a distinction between the three musical acts in the Pink Talking Fish show,” he explained. “Talk

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04 December 2024

UAE - Audiovisual solutions provider mediaPro has expanded its INFiLED fleet, adding 2,000 sq.m of ARmk2 screens to its inventory, raising its stock from 150 sq.m of INFiLED DB1.5 M4 panels, acquired last year.

mediaPro has been delivering AV technology and solutions to the entertainment industry since 2004. Initially drawn to INFiLED for its vibrant and high-performance screens, the company has worked with the global manufacturer of high-end LED display solutions for two years.

“We first initiated a purchase of INFiLED’s 1.5mm panels, and then progressed to the purchase of a higher volume of the ARmk2 range,” states Neeraj Pola, video technical director at mediaPro. “The increased size of our order reflects our demand for higher-volume solutions.” He also highlights that this substantial purchase will support mediaPro’s continued work on

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04 December 2024

USA - Astera will introduce QuikSpot, a flexible and innovative battery-powered LED lighting fixture designed to meet the demands of fast-paced environments in big events and media productions.

The QuikSpot fixture, a zoomable single-source spotlight, draws inspiration from the efficient workflow and convenient housing of Astera’s AX5 PAR light, while taking advantage of the optical quality of Titan LED Engine's PlutoFresnel.

QuikSpot’s whole design is optimised to save time and effort when both prepping and operating the product, making it a solution for busy rental and production companies.

Featuring Astera’s Titan LED Engine, the QuikSpot offers a 13º-60º zoom range, high colour rendering and a refined, homogenized and powerful "one-shadow" Fresnel optical system. These capabilities ensure a superior RGBMA colour spectrum, ideal fo

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04 December 2024

USA - Audinate Group has announced the availability of a significant update to Dante Controller. The application has long been a reliable tool for IT and AV managers to route signals, monitor latency and diagnose network issues, and this update provides a modern look to match the power of the underlying functionality.

Audinate integrated valuable feedback from the enthusiastic community of Dante users to create this update. The open and easy-to-use routing matrix and entirely new graphic design make it more pleasing for users who spend their valuable time with the application. Responses from early previews of the application show that these changes are overwhelmingly appreciated.

“This release addresses the most commonly requested feature of Dante Controller – that it can’t easily be used in a dimly lit room,” says Laurence Crew, senior produ

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03 December 2024

France - Ayrton, which has recently undergone a major expansion of its headquarters in Villebon-Sur-Yvette, south of Paris, showcased its new showroom and immersive museum with a series of events in November.

Over a two-week period, four events saw over 450 international guests, distributors, partners and lighting designers gather to immerse themselves in designs, innovative lighting solutions, and a world of creativity to inspire their next projects.

The new 1,200m2 x 8.5m high wide-format demonstration room, complete with luxurious theatre seating, provided the ideal forum to discover all of Ayrton’s products, while the immersive museum showcases the luminaires that have made Ayrton’s history. Guests were treated to cocktail receptions and dinner in the breakout rooms at every event which gave ample opportunity to network, ask questions and mak

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03 December 2024

UK - PLASA and NRAG (the National Rigging Advisory Group) have issued the following statement relating to recent fraudulent use of National Rigging Certificate (NRC) cards: “It has come to our attention that there are fraudulent NRC cards in circulation, and some individuals are falsely claiming to hold NRC accreditation.

“PLASA and NRAG highly respect the work of all those who have achieved the NRC, and are dedicated to preserving the high standards set by the NRC. We are taking the matter seriously and acting with urgency to ensure that this issue is resolved, promptly and permanently for the safety of all.

“If you are approached by anyone new, or work with anyone that you're not sure about, please make contact directly via nrc@plasa.org to check their credentials. You can also look up certified NRC riggers

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03 December 2024

Middle East - Procom Middle East has been appointed exclusive Zactrack distribution partner in the GCC and Lebanon.

Stephan Saremba, managing director of Zactrack International comments: “We are excited about joining forces with Procom and we are looking forward to this partnership. Both companies have a clear focus on providing high-quality products, excellent customer service and solutions to address customer needs in the various markets we are active in.

“With the commitment and expertise of Procom we are aiming to strengthen relationships with existing Zactrack users as well as expand into new markets. We are thrilled to welcome Procom to the Zactrack family and jointly grow the Middle East market with Zactrack solutions.”

"We have seen the demand for tracking solutions precede the product offerings available, and we are happy to ma