UAE - Powersoft is further expanding its distributor network in the GCC market by welcoming Dutco Tennant as its newest distributor. The appointment of Dutco Tennant will play a significant role in strengthening Powersoft’s presence in the Middle East. The company will join historical Dubai-based distributor, Pro Lab, and Saudi Arabia based aDawliah.
Established four decades ago, Dutco Tennant LLC has built a strong reputation in providing a wide range of products and services, providing audio, video and UCC (unified communications and collaboration) solutions in the GCC region.
“We pick and choose our partners carefully after extensive research and Powersoft will play a vital role in our audio portfolio,” states Julie Thomas, product manager at Dutco Tennant. “Powersoft is highly respected in the industry for its reliability and is an incredibly valuable addition to any portfolio of audio-focused brands. Incorporating Powersoft’s solutions in our portfolio enhances our credibility as a provider of professional audio solutions,” says Jacob Thomas, general manager - business technology solutions of Dutco Tennant.
Dutco Tennant, based in Dubai, will focus on expanding Powersoft’s regional presence in the installation market, with an emphasis on providing high-quality solutions across various areas, spanning from corporate, retail and venue centres to the hospitality industry. Additionally, the distributor will address the rising demand for clean energy solutions: “Powersoft’s power conversion technology can significantly improve the

UAE - Sennheiser was the official audio sponsor of the United States reception during World Radio Conference 2023. Organised in the opening week of the conference, the event was a resounding success, welcoming more than 1,200 delegates who enjoyed a captivating gig by the Sonic Crusaders.
The band used Digital 9000 wireless microphones, with a hand-built WMAS development prototype ensuring crystal-clear digital in-ear audio for the band members. Dubai-based event service provider 3DB, with project manager Stuart Andrews, supplied all audio, video, lighting and stage production requirements for the event.
“We are honoured that the U.S. ITU Association (USITUA) selected Sennheiser as the audio partner for its prestigious reception,” says Dr. Andreas Wilzeck, head of spectrum policy and standards at Sennheiser. “For the show part, we operated a hand-built broadband WMAS prototype and several conventional narrowband digital wireless links simultaneously, proving the effortless co-existence of both technologies.”
Stuart Andrews, project manager at 3DB: “Thanks so much for the amazing opportunity to work with the Sennheiser team and be able to road test the WMAS technology in a real-life concert environment! We were blown away by the prototype, the concept and design is fantastic, the performance is just ‘next level’. It will be a game changer on so many levels in live audio.”
The United States Reception took place on 22 November on the roof terrace between the twin Jumeirah Emirate Towers (JET), a challenging outdoor location due

UK - Manchester-based sound design specialists and audiologists tube uk are supplying audio systems to eight popular Christmas trails throughout the UK and one in Germany this season - totalling an impressive 168 individual sound systems, consuming 1,681 loudspeakers.
Working closely with the production team from Culture Creative, a specialist in creating trail experiences and numerous other live events, Melvyn Coote and the tube uk crew have developed a fully weatherised distributed sound system hardware concept for trail experiences. They have also optimised techniques for delivering the very best aural experiences for these creative and entertaining festive events.
UK sites this year include Leeds Castle in Kent, Dunham Massey in Cheshire, Stourhead in Wiltshire, Bedgebury in Surrey, Wimpole Estate in Cambridgeshire, Chester Zoo and Heaton Park in Manchester, and Kew Gardens in London, which was one of the first sites to start the trend back in 2013 with their ‘Christmas at Kew’ concept.
The German trail, Weihnachts Wunderwelt, is located in Benrath, a large upscale residential suburb of Düsseldorf known for the 18th-century rococo Benrath Palace residence, complete with substantial landscaped gardens and lake.
Each location offers its own magical setting which is enhanced by lighting, sound, and some installations by UK-based and international lighting designers and artists.
For tube uk, some serious numbers are crunched - in addition to the 1,681 loudspeakers which are connected using approximately 41km of speaker cable, 166

France - ETC’s automated fixtures range Halcyon has been selected by the noted Parisian theatre, la Comédie-Française.
A total of 27 Halcyon Platinum fixtures and 12 Halcyon Gold fixtures have been installed at the famous theatre, which has several productions including French plays by Molière, Racine, Corneille and others. A cultural institution, la Comédie-Française is the only French national theatre since 1680 to have a permanent drama troupe.
Sales manager for France Nicolas Da Canal comments: “la Comédie-Française already has High End Systems SolaFrame Studio, SolaFrame 2000 and SolaFrame 3000 moving lights installed which have been particularly appreciated for their colour-mixing quality. The team at the theatre were therefore happy to again proceed with High End Systems automated lights in their process of further transitioning to LED.”
The Halcyon Gold fixtures have been integrated in the over-stage rig on the first electric position and the Halcyon Platinum fixtures are further upstage at higher trim heights.
"The advantage of the Platinum is that even in the High Fidelity version, you still get 38,000 lumens as standard, and up to 46,000 when you use the boost mode. That is less than the 70,000 lumens of the Ultra-Bright version, but it's enough to make the fixture very versatile. And above all, the High-Fidelity engine has a CCT of 6,000K, which is close to HMI sources making this move over to LED a little smoother," adds Nicolas Da Canal.
B-Live, one of ETC's commercial partners in France, delivered the fixture

UK - Singer, songwriter and keyboardist Howard Jones this year celebrated 40 years in the music business.
Having toured extensively in Europe, Asia, and North America during 2023, Jones returned in October to conclude his live schedule with a UK theatre tour. The 10-night tour, which included nights at the London Palladium and Birmingham Symphony Hall, demonstrated the star’s versatility. A full-on synth-driven electronic attack was complemented by acoustic trio and solo sections which showed off Jones’ talents as a pianist.
Liverpool-based production specialists Adlib took care of the audio, with the tour opting for a Coda Audio system based around the company’s ViRAY compact line array. Coda has been FOH engineer Chicky Reeves’ choice for Howard Jones since he began working with the artist in 2016, having first encountered the brand some years earlier while on tour with Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (OMD).
He describes his first experience with ViRAY: “I’d initially been reluctant to stray from what I was used to, but having been persuaded to take the system out with OMD, I haven’t looked back. When we set up for our first show, which was more of a production rehearsal with an audience, I walked in as the system tech was finishing setting it up. He had a track playing that I knew quite well and I was immediately smitten with the sound. I knew the track, I knew the room, and I’d never heard this combination sound so good before.
“I was absolutely stunned. After that, we took it on several tours - when I started with Ho

UK - Burna Boy took to the stage at London Stadium in June as part of his Love, Damini tour. The production team trusted professional audio and video partner Solotech, which relied on Shure’s Axient Digital Wireless System and software solutions to deliver audio and a spectacular show.
The production team aimed for a robust and reliable sound system that could handle 40 channels accommodating Burna Boy, his core band, an 11-piece marching band, and a 10-piece choir. A sophisticated range of the Shure Axient Digital Wireless System equipment was selected and deployed by Jamie Skey, hire project manager - live productions at Solotech, and Valentin James, RF technician at Solotech.
Jamie Skey said: “Having extensive experience with Shure wireless products in the field, I was confident we could achieve exceptional performance, even in the congested RF environment. Shure’s Axient Digital Wireless System was the only solution considered by the production engineers for this high-profile production.”
As part of the Shure solutions used for the performance, the Solotech team also chose the Shure AD600 Axient Digital Spectrum Manager along with Shure’s software solutions Wireless Workbench (WWB), Showlink, and Wavetool by Shure, crucial tools to monitor and control RF during the show.
“In terms of microphones, we harnessed Quadversity and Frequency Diversity within the Axient Digital product family, to ensure a robust performance on the lead vocal. The integration with Wireless Workbench 6 software and the new AD600 spectrum manager

New Zealand - JPRO is celebrating 35 years of success and dedication to excellence. Since its inception in 1988, JPRO has been at the forefront of the AV distribution industry, supplying world leading brands, providing local support and customer satisfaction.
Established in 1988, JPRO began as the demand for JBL Professional products increased in New Zealand. Over the past three and a half decades, the company has evolved into a powerhouse, with a diverse portfolio of brands, customised solutions, technical expertise and consistently exceeding customer expectations.
JPRO's success story is not just about its products and services but also about the enduring partnerships it has forged with suppliers and customers over the years. The company takes pride in collaborating with a diverse range of clients, from the small one-man integrator to multinational corporations, fostering relationships built on trust, mutual growth and a passion for the AV industry.
Reflecting on the journey so far, Bruce Gray, founder and director of JPRO, expressed gratitude for the unwavering support from clients, employees and suppliers. “Reaching 35 years in the distribution industry is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the entire JPRO team. Our achievements could not have been made without the partnerships and relationships built on respect and friendship with our suppliers and customers. These are testament to the mutual longevity of our businesses. Thank you for being the most important part of our journey.”
As JPRO celebrates its 35th birthday, th

USA - We Came As Romans recently wrapped the fall leg of their Darkbloom II headlining tour, a 30-date run with a lighting system from Bandit Lites. The metalcore band kicked off on 10 October in Indianapolis and made its way throughout the country, culminating in Nashville, Tennessee on 19 November.
Lighting designer Corbin Alvae worked with guitarist Lou Cotton and bassist Andy Glass who sought to recreate a ‘black hole’ style stage design and update it with a space feel. A 10ft diameter circle truss was outlined with Elation ACL 360i fixtures as well as Elation DTW Blinder IP 65 fixtures.
“The band played around with different ideas and concepts, but the final look that was seen on this tour was absolutely solid looking and how everything panned out at the end looked wild,” said Alvae.
The large circle truss required them to adjust depending on the stage space and trim height clearances as well as having alternative layouts.
“When Corbin approached me in August to begin designing this tour, the goal was an arena look in a club tour,” said Bandit Lites client representative Mark Scherer. “Presenting the bands idea of a ‘black hole’, we worked to pick fixtures that would have a big impact in a club setting. His design looked enormous on the club stages while maintaining a smaller footprint to fit into all venues. His design skills and talent led this to become a powerful rig that complimented the band’s massive sound.”
“The Elation ACL 360i fixtures shined bright,” said Alvae. “With the ability to do

USA - Front-of-house engineer Joe Vegna (Loreen, Peter Jöback, Stefan Sundström, Lolita Pop, Pernilla Andersson) has chosen the Waves eMotion LV1 Live Mixer and Waves plugins for the 2023 tour of Swedish ensemble Stonemountain Orchestra.
Describing his choice of the Waves eMotion LV1 for this tour, Vegna comments: “In two words: sound quality. The LV1’s sound is exceptional. I was looking for a console that sounds amazing and is also small enough to actually tour with when going into smaller venues.
“My good friend Rompa (FOH, Ronny Bernstein), who tours with the rock band Europe, has been using the eMotion LV1 for years and always raves about how good it sounds. So I thought I’d give it a go for an earlier tour I did this spring with Peter Jöback. And wow, it did not disappoint. That tour was very challenging, but with the LV1 I could do things that no other console can.”
He continues: “So, when it was time to plan the Stonemountain Orchestra tour, I sat down with Sebastian Wennergren, our monitor engineer, to figure out if it could be done on the LV1 system. This band is very demanding, and everything has to sound absolutely perfect, both in the PA and all IEMs. However, the console still has to be small enough to be in and out quickly in a variety of venues. The LV1 fit the bill and, again, did not disappoint.”
“Another benefit,” he adds, “is that any of the eight plugin slots can be sidechained individually. For example, on the bass I can have one compressor that reacts to the actual bass, another that reacts to the

USA - At times it seemed that everything that could go wrong would go wrong at the one-day Desert Sky Music Festival in Chandler, AZ. Not only did rain delay the 2pm start of the first act by over 30 minutes, but once the music started playing, bumps in the road kept threatening to derail the best-laid plans.
“The event gods were not smiling on us,” said John Garberson of Creative BackStage, who set up production for Desert Sky. “It rained off and on for eight hours, creating a lot of mud. There was a power outage, a medical emergency, though fortunately that turned out ok, and networking issues that disrupted the sound and lighting.”
Still, no one in the sold-out crowd of 15,000 was thinking about any of these snafus when the curtain went down on the festival late that night. They were too busy savouring the good times, and the rollicking music they just enjoyed by an enthusiastic group of performers, including headliner Lainey Wilson, 2023 CMA Female Vocalist of the Year.
Setting an upbeat tone for the festival that overshadowed any of the issues at its start were the immersive lightshows that seemed to fit each artist’s music and personality like pair of tailor-made jeans. The Creative BackStage team made that happen through some careful planning and the thoughtful placement of over 75 versatile Chauvet Professional fixtures in the festival rig.
“There were no band riders for this festival,” said Garberson. “None of the acts came in with a lighting plot. I had to anticipate what would work best for each artist and the visit

South Korea - The Starnetworks group has become the official distributor of Holoplot Matrix Array systems in South Korea. This marks Holoplot's first foray into the Asian live entertainment market.
“Our philosophy is to look at sound as both an art and a science,” says Su Keun O, CEO at Starnetworks. “This philosophy aligns perfectly with Holoplot technology, which is science-based, software-driven, and hardware-enabled, offering unparalleled sound experiences through sound control.”
The Starnetworks team had their first opportunity to witness the Holoplot X1 Matrix Array in action earlier this year at the ISE Show in Barcelona. “We were fascinated by how Holoplot could visualise sound dispersion and control the sound with such precision and the creative potential of this. Since then, we’ve discovered many more benefits of Holoplot technology with X1 and the new X2 covering all bases in terms of application type. Utilised as a stereo system it completely removes hot spots and unwanted reflections, allowing us to achieve very high-quality, enjoyable sound.”
The debut of X1 in South Korea happened at South Korea’s very own Lightroom. The first Lightroom project opened in London earlier this year, also successfully equipped with a Holoplot X1 system. Lightroom Korea opened in Seoul on 1 November, and serves as the second venue to host the highly acclaimed art exhibition, David Hockney: Bigger & Closer (not smaller & further away).
“We are thrilled to partner with Starnetworks and bring the power of Holoplot audio

UK - Prolyte is set to collaborate with long-standing partner Stage Electrics, one of the UK's premier Prolyte suppliers, for two exclusive campus events in Glasgow and Birmingham this January.
Prolyte and Stage Electrics invite industry professionals to join these insightful events, helmed by Prolyte's expert, Eric Laanstra. With over 23 years of expertise, Prolyte's seasoned product manager, promises a profound exploration into the intricacies of rigging, trussing, and staging.
The Glasgow event takes place 23 January 2024 at RCS Glasgow; Birmingham’s venue is MAC Birmingham on 24 January.
Both events will feature a comprehensive lecture, offering attendees profound insights into Prolyte's cutting-edge rigging solutions.
These events present an opportunity for those seeking rigging or trussing solutions for their venues or to learn more about their current Prolyte set up. Engage with industry leaders, delve into enlightening workshops, and broaden your understanding of Prolyte rigging.
Tickets cost only £10 and are available at www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/stage-electrics-19881521226

UK - ABTT’s popular Pyrotechnic Safety Awareness Training was a sell out in September 2023, and booking is now open for the 2024 course which takes place on 11January at The Elgiva Theatre, Chesham.
Equipment and devices used, demonstrated or viewed during the course include products from: Le Maitre: Pyroflash - ProStage II - Virtually Smokeless (VS) - Illusion - Skyhigh - Torch - Blakes - Viking - Theatrical Pyrotechnics - Wells - Ultratec - LunaTech - PyyroPak.
The course will provide candidates with an opportunity to keep ‘up to date’ with ‘considered best practice’ and familiarise themselves more readily with new and current regulations, alongside forthcoming UK/EU legislation.
The course will also serve as a refresher for technicians who have to produce certificates of awareness, to keep themselves ‘in date’. The candidates will also receive a comprehensive set of notes and subject to satisfactory completion of the course, will receive a certificate, signed by the tutor, and automatic enrolment with the Association of Stage Pyrotechnicians register.

Spain - Broadcast live for the first time in history from Seville, Spain, the 24th Latin Grammys trusted the Shure Axient Digital Wireless System and Shure software to enable quality audio for the biggest night celebrating Latin culture, passion, and music.
Shure Axient Digital Wireless was selected for its robust and reliable signal quality. Sound company Fluge provided 60 channels of Shure Axient Digital Wireless and 32 channels of Shure PSM 1000 In-Ear Personal Monitoring System, delivering consistent RF coverage over the whole venue.
“Shure PSM 1000 continues to be a consistently reliable piece of a complex live show puzzle, which demands both high-quality audio and rock-solid RF,” said Michael Bové, monitor mixer for Latin Grammys 2023.
The technical team relied on Shure software, including Wireless Workbench (WWB) and WAVETOOL by Shure. Diogo Nunes Pereira, RF coordinator for the event was able to monitor multiple cases where WWB operated various systems simultaneously.
The evening began with a performance of Rosalia singing a special version of the popular Se Nos Rompió el Amor, which received a standing ovation from the audience. Rosalia relied on a Shure KSM9HS capsule, joined by a group of palmeros and guitars who were supported by 13 Shure AD1 bodypack transmitters.
Alex Guessard, (FOH) music mixer said: “Within the rich and lively panorama of Latin Grammys performances, Shure Axient Digital seamlessly blends precision and passion. My focus was particularly captivated by the KSM9HS’s ability to perfectly capt

UK - Georgia Browns in the town of Hindley, Greater Manchester is a destination sports and entertainment venue. Recently re-furbished and re-launched, and featuring a large media wall, the venue also hosts multiple additional screens showing a wide range of sports, as well as staging live bands, DJ sets and karaoke.
The team at Georgia Brown gave careful consideration to its technical needs, and having invested in its media wall through Richer Sounds, consulted with the company’s custom installation design team over the best way forward for its audio requirements.
Richer Sounds recommended an Optimal Audio system to deliver the venue’s requirement for background and party level music. Custom installation manager Tim Smith and his team designed the system in conjunction with the venue, and engaged experienced subcontractor James Mahon of Hi-Tech AV to install the system. Tim felt that for a large space like Georgia Browns, an Optimal Audio solution would reliably provide the necessary quality at high SPL to meet the all-round challenge.
The install was James Mahon’s first experience of the brand: “Right out of the box, you could tell they were going to be good. The build quality looked superb and the speakers duly delivered sound to match.”
Two Cuboid 15 and two Cuboid 10 passive on-wall loudspeakers were installed in the demanding areas of the room close to the stage, with a further eight Cuboid 8 units taking care of the rest of the space. A single Sub 15 and a pair of Sub 10 units were discreetly located beneath seating areas to de

USA - Tempest enclosures have been used to protect Epson projectors at a projection mapping installation in Carmel, Indianapolis. EOS: The First Dawn is a permanent installation created by Blockhouse Studios and features 12 Epson EB-PU2220B 20,000-lumen large venue laser projectors, each safeguarded by a Tempest Cyclone enclosure to ensure they run at peak performance.
Mounted on the roof of the James and Tarkington buildings, these powerful projectors tell the theatrical story of Eos, Greek Goddess of the Dawn, presented in a dream-like projection onto the face of the Carter Green Palladium.
Blockhouse Studios owner, Kevin Winkler comments: “We have four full seasons in Indiana. Temperatures can range from -15 or more in the winter, and upwards of 100 degrees F in the summer, with high humidity. The Cyclone enclosures are perfect for these tough conditions that can change rapidly with up to a 30-degree fluctuation in one day.
“We use Tempest because their design and service is top notch. They respond to our suggestions and actually are willing to make design changes for us, with no hassle. We anticipate using Tempest enclosures consistently for many years to come.”
The installation incorporates themes of nature and astrology, and paired with dazzling state of the art technology, the audience is transported to a place of vibrant visual storytelling and mythological wonder. Telling the tales of Eos, Helios and Selene, the installation finds a wonderful balance between creative cinematography and superb special effects.

USA - Snowbird Restaurant & Lounge opened aiming to bring the cocktail lounge scene to Frisco, a suburb of Dallas, Texas where the dining scene is booming. This 4,100sq.ft space includes dining seating, lounge seating, and a 35ft-long bar, aiming to set a sultry lounge setting with cocktails as the star. Bespoke Technology Group based out of Dallas, was contracted to bring this after-dinner destination to life by integrating the audio system.
Snowbird has DJ booths upstairs and downstairs and had to have an audio system fit for dinner ambiance as well as for private events and all-day brunch events. Bespoke chose to go with 1 Sound premium loudspeakers for this lounge to offer high-fidelity sound quality and sonic intelligibility but with the capacity to get louder for high-energy nights. This was accomplished by utilising the Cannon Coaxial Series.
The Cannons are known for their sonic quality and extended low-end, with the 6-inch coaxial version being capable of having a max SPL of 114dB. For the main bar/lounge space and the upper level, Bespoke implemented Cannon C6i’s utilising C-Clamp accessories for mounting and aiming. The C6i’s were complemented by SUB12 reflex subwoofers, for the bass.
For the private VIP room in the back, four Cannon C5i’s were deployed with no subwoofers. For the outdoor patio, six Cannon C4’s were used. 1 Sound’s construction allows for all loudspeakers to be IP55 rated to withstand outdoor usage. Since opening, Snowbird has expanded its open hours due to its popularity and success.

UK - The LiGHT23 expo, staged in London for the second year, stepped up several levels according to the team from specialist architectural LED lighting brand Anolis, which showcased its three current main product lines - Calumma, Ambiane and Eminere - at the two-day event in Islington’s Business Design Centre.
The show, which launched in 2022, has been developed as a forum and a meeting place for the design community. Manufacturers can demonstrate their latest technologies and lighting designers, architects, interior, exterior and visual designers can gather to see the latest innovations and attend a full programme of talks, panel discussions and seminars embracing topics and issues relevant to the built environment world.
“Visitor numbers were definitely up, especially on the first day, and we saw a steady stream of high-quality people on both days from a broad spectrum of the industry, from lighting designers and architects to integrators, installers and end users,” commented Ashley Popple, Anolis’ London & Southeast business development manager.
He added: “Apart from a great buzz, it was also a convincing networking event at which we saw existing clients and made plenty of new contacts, also providing some excellent opportunities to touch base with a range of busy industry professionals who are sometimes difficult to otherwise pin down!”
The first night ‘social’ and late opening offered less formal but equally valuable social engagement time, and Ashley felt that the extended opening hours also drew many people for the

USA - Bose Professional has announced the promotion of Adam Shulman to director of product management.
With more than two decades of expertise in system design and product innovation, Shulman is well positioned to spearhead a new era of ingenuity within Bose Professional's product strategy, says the company.
John Maier, CEO of Bose Professional, comments: “Adam embodies the spirit of Bose Professional and his talent strengthens our pursuit of excellence and customer satisfaction. With his grasp of audio technology and product innovation, his leadership will play a crucial role in the creation of systems that align with and anticipate the needs of our diverse customer base.”
Adam Shulman adds: “As a new company, we have a 50-year legacy in professional audio, which provides us the rare opportunity to take a look at ourselves and the market with a fresh perspective. I am thrilled to move into this role at such an exciting time for Bose Professional.”

Australia/USA - RØDE Microphones has announced the acquisition of US-based pro audio pioneer Mackie from Transom Capital Group.
“I am absolutely thrilled to welcome Mackie to The Freedman Group’s roster of iconic audio brands,” says founder and chairman Peter Freedman. “They are true legends, with a pedigree of live sound expertise that is simply unmatched. Today, RØDE and Mackie are both leaders in audio, and we share the same passion for creating innovative, high-quality products with a strong customer focus.
“With this acquisition, The Freedman Group is now a premier audio technology company offering world-class products to an even wider range of customers, from up-and-coming content creators to professionals working in live production and everyone in-between.”
Since 1989, Mackie has been a leading designer and manufacturer of pro audio products, including mixers and loudspeakers for home, studio and stage use. An integral player in the home recording revolution in the 1990s, Mackie quickly made a name for itself as an innovative brand with a focus on ‘built-like-a-tank’ quality and affordability.
“Mackie is one of the great success stories in pro audio and I have admired them for a long time,” says Mr Freedman. “My background is in live sound production. It’s something I have always been passionate about, ever since I saw Tom Jones at the Chevron Hotel in Sydney as a kid back in ’69 - my father Henry installed the sound system there, as well as many other venues across the city. Live sound is where I cut my te