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06 August 2024

Saudi Arabia - The Ultimate Fighting Championship hit the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the first time this summer. On 22 June, UFC Fight Night lit up the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, with Unusual Rigging & Engineering on board to supply the full production rigging.

Richard Hoare, rigger at Unusual commented; “This event wasn’t just a first for Riyadh, but for us at Unusual too. We’ve served as house-riggers for the event when it’s taken place at the Etihad Arena previously, but on this occasion, we won the contract to supply the full scope of production rigging. We worked alongside DLM, the rigging consultants for IMG and Bowie Ebrill who was onsite overseeing the installation and removal.

“Production manager Phil Campbell of IMG, was really pleased with the work and professionalism that our team had supplied as house riggers in Abu Dhabi an

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06 August 2024

UAE - Zenon Dubai at Kempinski Central Avenue in the Dubai Mall, is a new restaurant and lounge that, using cutting edge immersive technology with AI-powered performances and interactive displays, promises its customers an unforgettable sensory experience. It is the first nightclub in Dubai to be fitted with all-Ayrton moving lights.

The design, installation, programming and system integration were all the responsibility of Alex Douglas, lighting consultant with Em-Tec, UAE’s leading AV installation and maintenance provider. Douglas put Ayrton fixtures front and centre of his design, alongside two floor-to-ceiling video walls and two holograms. He chose Ayrton Zonda 3 FX, Zonda 9 FX and Cobra fixtures to create an elaborate overhead ‘chandelier’ comprising 3 concentric circular trusses suspended 18m above the DJ and lounge area, augmented by a side dis

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06 August 2024

Postponed - Venues around the country have reported postponed shows and damage to property following violent riots. Sunderland Empire was forced to postpone two nights of performances following riots in the city, which also saw nearby venue the Fire Station report damage to its premises.

Elsewhere, a children’s dance performance at the Regent Theatre in Stock-on-Trent was cancelled, after the ATG-owned venue went into lockdown because of nearby violence and Theatre Royal Plymouth cancelled a performance of The Devil Wears Prada musical on 5 August.

Fringe Matters - Edinburgh city centre was affected by a widespread power outage that wreaked havoc on the first day of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. The outage caused disruption at several venues, including Pleasance Dome, Gilded Balloon Patter House, Assembly George Square St

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05 August 2024

China - DirectOut has announced Digital Media Technology Co (DMT) as a new distributor for its audio solutions in the Greater China region.

Founded in Hong Kong in 1990, DMT has established itself as a leading supplier of audio and video system solutions. With four additional offices in Beijing, Guangzhou, Shanghai and Taipei, DMT offers a full range of services, from design to support.

"DMT's technical expertise and deep understanding of the market make them an ideal partner," said Luca Giaroli, chief solution officer at DirectOut. "This collaboration ensures optimal integration of our audio solutions."

Over the years, DMT has successfully implemented complex installations, including music recording systems and networked post-production environments, expanding its reach and capabilities in the broadcast, music production, and live sound sect

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05 August 2024

UK - 22live has become one of the first suppliers to achieve the AGF (A Greener Future) Greener Supplier certification. This certification underscores the company’s commitment to environmental sustainability and its proactive efforts to reduce emissions and waste across operations and services.

The AGF certification is an independently verified acknowledgment of green credentials, helping events, venues, festivals, and tours easily identify green suppliers. This recognition will save both suppliers and clients time and resources in evidencing their commitment to sustainability.

The journey to certification involved a thorough assessment of 22Live’s practices in various key areas of environmental sustainability, including energy management, food & beverage sustainability,

transportation efficiency, waste management practices, water con

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05 August 2024

Germany - Neumann & Müller Veranstaltungstechnik has been certified to the ISO 14001 and 45001 international standards in the fields of environmental management and occupational health and safety management. The criteria the company had to meet represent a further milestone in the implementation of a comprehensive sustainability concept.

Martin Hartmann-Schüler, sustainability manager at N&M: "These certifications mark a significant step for Neumann & Müller. They underline our commitment to sustainable business practices and protecting our staff. But they will also spur us on to constantly intensify and advance our efforts in these fields."

Sustainable procurement that makes efficient use of resources, optimised transport logistics, regional crews and supplies, and less negative impact on the environment – these are just a few of th

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05 August 2024

UK - Sports executive Sandy Case, formerly CEO of iSportConnect, has joined the Creative Technology Group (CT) as SVP of sport. Case will spearhead the company’s global sports business, connecting CT's live events experts and solutions with clients across the world. Prior to joining, Case served as the CEO of iSportConnect.

“We have a great sports business that goes back to the very start of the company. Our plan is now to build on what has been achieved and for this to become a truly global market sector for us,” said Graham Andrews, global president for NEP Live Events and CEO of Creative Technology Group.

“I am excited about Sandy joining our business and I know his experience in the world of sports will be very complementary to the skills we already have in our team. I am looking forward to working with him to develop this important part

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05 August 2024

UAE - On 20 August, Adam Hall Group will host the official Cameo Day in Dubai. With this one-day event, the lighting technology brand is targeting customers and interested parties in the MEA region to present the latest product highlights in the Cameo portfolio to rental and dry hire providers as well as lighting designers and distributors.

The Middle East premiere of the Oron H2 IP65 hybrid moving head with phosphor laser engine will take centre stage. Cameo Day will take place from 12pm to 9pm at Mr Toad’s Pub & Kitchen.

In addition to the Oron H2, the Cameo team is coming to Dubai with many other innovations and highlights.

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05 August 2024

Australia - Tasked with the installation of a comprehensive audio system for a new space within Sydney’s Revesby Worker's Club, The Avit Group chose solutions from Nexo.

Once a modest social gathering space for a close-knit community, the venue has expanded to encompass a wide range of amenities- a growth which continues into present-day. 2022 saw the planning and development of Miss Iggy’s, a new nightclub/pub combination promising to ‘bring a trendy Inner Sydney vibe to the heart of Revesby’.

Inspired by quirky street art and retro arcade parlours, the development of Miss Iggy’s brought a host of audio requirements spanning multiple interconnected zones- including a lounge, bar, nightclub area and arcade. The Avit Group’s operations manager, Adrian Davis, expands on the brief:

“Miss Iggy’s successfully marries the vibrant, e

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05 August 2024

Finland - Kino Piispanristi is a full-service 286-seat independent movie theatre close to Turku. The venue is a long-time passion project of Henry Erkkilä, a movie lover who wanted to create a modern cinema that transcends tradition when it comes to audio-visual technology. The theatre’s new premium screen features a Genelec sound system comprising the brand’s smart active studio loudspeakers and subwoofers.

“We strive to offer all the perks of a modern cinema without being a faceless corporation,” says Erkkilä. “We react to trends quickly and make moves boldly so that our customers can walk in and out feeling happy. Having the greatest theatre sound system in Finland is an excellent way to help us light up people’s faces.”

Kino Piispanristi’s newest screen is a premium, more intimate space with exceptional picture quality and a 7.1

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05 August 2024

USA - When Major League Baseball (MLB)’s San Francisco Giants needed to upgrade their sound system, they turned to Powersoft technology and Diversified to integrate the system. The Giants – World Series Champions in 2010, 2012, and 2014 – moved to picturesque Oracle Park in 2000 after spending several decades in windy Candlestick Park. The stadium, considered one of baseball’s most beautiful parks with its San Francisco Bay backdrop, seats 41,331 with an added 1,500 for standing room. 

Diversified – which maintains a longstanding relationship with the Giants, including installing the control room in 2000 – is renowned for its rich portfolio of stadium installations, including Climate Pledge Arena (Seattle) and American Family Field (Milwaukee Brewers), both of which are powered by Powersoft, while Powersoft has an equally impressive portfolio of

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05 August 2024

UK - Two years ago, PCL Live opened its doors cater for Northeast Scotland’s production needs. Investing in the latest technology and using the team’s extensive experience, the company quickly established itself.

From the start, it had a large focus on Leyard Europe LED screens. Significant expansion continues that focus, as does a recent investment in Leyard’s LN Series, which is helping the company go from strength to strength.

“We now have over 200m2 of Leyard video wall including CFO, NEV and MGP, plus the recent addition of the new LN Series, all of which has been very good and extremely versatile,” says Alex Sherman, business development and technical manager at PCL Live.

“Because the LN Series is both indoor and outdoor rated and the panels are so easily connected together, we can quickly create amazing structures. This has

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02 August 2024

UK - For one glorious day, on 11 July, the industry came together at the Backup Village Fete to raise much needed funds for supporting those working in the industry when they need it most. This year’s event smashed all expectations, raising a record-breaking £56,300 on the day. Even the weather could not resist a day out, as un-forecast sunshine made a welcome appearance for the duration of the event. “The Parish of Backup has its own micro-climate,” suggests chair of Backup and Mayor of the Parish Fete, Lee Dennison.

The Backup Village Fete is the natural evolution of KartFest into a more inclusive and engaging day out for the industry. Ten years after the first racing helmet was donned, straw hats are now a key item of apparel.

Since the event’s inception, the charity has benefitted from extraordinary donations and the industry has enjoyed

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02 August 2024

Australia - CAST Group of Companies has announced CMI as the exclusive distributor of BlackTrax in Australia and New Zealand.

"We are excited to extend our partnership with CMI and expand the reach of BlackTrax in Australia and New Zealand. With a strong track record in pro-audio distribution, CMI is an ideal partner to propel BlackTrax in the region," said Dekkar Densham, global sales director for CAST Group Inc.

"With the successful launch of BT-1 last year, designed to bridge a crucial gap, offering a compact and cost-effective tracking solution, we are dedicated to advancing breakthroughs in tracking technology. We believe that CMI’s expertise, market presence, and client support will significantly contribute to its success in the live event and entertainment industries."

Lee Stevens, national business development manager for CMI adds,

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02 August 2024

UK - 22live and University of Birmingham, with support from DPA Microphones, is hosting a Mic Tech workshop, in the Bramall Music Building’s Elgar concert hall on 18 September 2024, 10:30-16:00.

DPA Microphones will lead the event, sharing their expertise in microphone technology and placement. Attendees will gain valuable knowledge in an area that is both crucial for live sound reproduction, and often overlooked.

The workshop will be divided into two sessions: Morning Session: Microphone Technology will feature product functionality, including different types of capsules and coverage patterns, and why specific microphones are better suited for certain applications. The Afternoon Session will focus on microphone techniques.

Participants will benefit from the newly installed d&b audiotechnik T Series PA system in the Elgar concert hall w

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02 August 2024

USA - Cory FitzGerald, the lighting designer for Justin Timberlake’s ongoing The Forget Tomorrow World Tour and senior partner at Burbank-based creative studio, Silent House, is using 30 Robert Juliat 864 LED asymmetric footlights featuring a four-colour mixing system to line the stage at the singer-songwriter’s shows.  ACT Entertainment is the exclusive North American distributor of Robert Juliat lighting.

The tour, which commenced in April and will continue until spring of next year, is Timberlake’s seventh headlining concert tour and his first in five years.  It is in support of his sixth studio album, Everything I Thought It Was, and has scheduled dates in North America through the rest of 2024.

FitzGerald had used RJ Dalis footlights on other productions, including shows for Kendrick Lamar. “I had the Dalis 862 all-white footl

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02 August 2024

UK - It has taken Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Starlight Express 22 years to return to the stage since it pulled out of the West End in 2002. This time, the production’s new home is at the Troubadour Wembley Park which has been specially adapted to create an immersive performance experience, with Unusual Rigging on board to handle the venue and production’s rigging requirements.

Working for production manager Mark Carey from Shedworks Studio, the Unusual team were asked to install a number of items for the show requirements. Alex Taylor, production rigger at Unusual explained: “As part of our brief, we were asked to provide all of the LX, Sound and Video trusses, the trusses for the sound baffle, three technical working platforms for all the LX racks and to devise a method of lifting up a halo into position, being careful to get the height and angle just ri

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02 August 2024

USA - Ann and Nancy Wilson of Heart performed a series of US shows from 20 April to 23 May 23 on their Royal Flush tour, with lighting design by Carl Burnett. Burnett turned to Elation’s Proteus Brutus LED Wash FX and Proteus Maximus LED Profile moving heads as the foundation of the lighting rig, valuing their power while appreciating their refined design qualities.

Royal Flush marked the first live show the sisters have shared since 2019. Burnett, who designed lighting for Heart’s 2019 tour and is known for his work with Robert Plant, amongst others, is the lighting and show designer for the tour. He enlisted his good friend Max Conwell to assist with the design process for the first time in his career. Lighting for the U.S. leg of the tour was supplied by 4Wall.

Before kicking off the tour in Greenville, South Carolina, in April, Burnett design

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02 August 2024

USA - Providing sound design services and equipment delivery since 2018, as overseen by Eighth Day Sound’s Sean Sturge, UniverSoul Circus is one of North America’s most-loved family friendly, non-stop action productions. This year, the show has 10 acts from multiple continents, reinforcing its position as a truly cultural live entertainment offering.

Production manager Kabelo Mashobane begins: “The idea here is to bring everyone from different cultures together. Soul doesn't have a colour. It doesn't matter where you are from, when it comes to seeking entertainment, we all speak the same language.”

To convey the messaging behind the circus’ new show, Kabelo explains why Eighth Day Sound is the right fit: “Our audio delivery is unique; we have a lot of dynamic sounds due to our different acts bringing their own regional take. From classica

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02 August 2024

USA - Valtteri Salomaki and Ethan Castro, founders of EDGE Sound Research are making waves in the pro AV and pro sports worlds with their audio technology called Embodied Sound.

Salomaki and Castro aim to bring sound not only to the ears of their listeners but to their entire bodies. They recently performed a high-profile audio installation at the VIP experience for a multipurpose Las Vegas arena and turned to LEA Professional, to deliver completely immersive sound to the guests.

“We take the audio from the game that gets picked up by the broadcast, and we provide it in our sections of a venue,” Salomaki said. “That way, a fan can hear and feel everything from the dribbles to the shots, the swooshes, everything that makes them feel like an actual player in the game versus a spectator. Our ultimate goal is to redefine how personalised and curate