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03 November 2025

India - Superstar Anirudh recently played an incendiary homecoming show as the grand finale to his Hukum world tour, staged at a special site in Kuvathur on the East Coast Road (ECR) in Chennai, complete with ‘a spectacular lighting design’ by Bala Subramanya (Vinod), Albin Biju and Guru Somayaji from Bangalore-based design studio 369 Design Lab.

It was the first time that Robe iForte LTX Follow Spots – running on RoboSpot remote following systems – were used for a live music show in India.

The RoboSpot system – six iForte LTXs and four BaseStations – was supplied to Anirudh’s production and the show’s main lighting contractor, Bangalore-based Reynolds, by SSL Media from Mumbai.

Guru and Vinod had pushed to get the iFortes and the RoboSpot system on to the show, as they needed a powerful follow spotting solution to co

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03 November 2025

USA - The San Francisco Opera (SFO) is bringing a new level of versatility to its repertory lighting with the addition of Elation’s multi-functional Paragon moving head fixtures. Under the guidance of Justin Partier, resident lighting director at the War Memorial Opera House, the company has integrated 26 Paragon LT fixtures across its season productions, including Rigoletto, Dead Man Walking, Parsifal, and upcoming show The Monkey King (opening 14 November).

Having served as SFO’s resident lighting director for seven years, Partier faced the challenge of updating the company’s aging inventory of 25-year-old 1200W discharge lamp fixtures. Based on his own observations as well as requirements from designers, his wish list for replacement fixtures was extensive: brightness to compete with the venue’s existing HMI lig

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03 November 2025

UK - As RG Jones approaches its centenary year, the company is evolving its business strategy, focusing on investment in both equipment and people. With the appointment of commercial manager Sam Thomas in November 2024, the company began a period of reflection as Thomas took time to fully understand the mechanics of the business and what is required to maintain agility and efficiency in an ever-changing industry.

The result of this observation is the recent appointment of Sam Brazier and Ricky Spiers as project managers in the Sound Engineering Pro Audio Division, alongside significant investment in audio inventory.

“Looking at the last 20 years, RG Jones has enjoyed some spectacular success stories, so we chose to examine the company along that timeframe and decide how to better that,” Thomas explains. “With a company this established, we can

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31 October 2025

Ireland - ETC has announced a new distribution partnership with Dublin-based PSI Production Services (PSI), marking ‘a significant step forward’ in the company’s expansion across the Republic of Ireland.

Driven by the continued growth of ETC’s business in Ireland, this new appointment will enhance local infrastructure and strengthen the service and supply of ETC’s products to its sales and rental partners, venues, and end users across the country.

“We’ve seen a significant increase in ETC equipment use across Ireland, and appointing PSI as our official distributor is a key step in strengthening our local support,” comments Jeremy Roberts, regional sales manager at ETC. “We’ve had a long-standing relationship with PSI, and their technical expertise, industry connections, and commitment to quality make them the ideal partner for thi

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31 October 2025

Ukraine - HK Audio has named Eurhythmics as its new official distributor for Ukraine. Eurhythmics has been active in the professional audio equipment sector since 1991 and is one of the leading distributors in Ukraine’s audio industry. Its experienced team offers a comprehensive portfolio of services – from consulting and sales to technical system planning, installation and support for audio solutions of any size and complexity.

Sándor Molnár, managing director of Eurhythmics, comments: "We are proud to have become the distributor for HK Audio, a brand synonymous with quality, innovation, and reliability. We look forward to a fruitful collaboration and to driving the future of audio excellence in Ukraine."

Eurhythmics is the official representative of numerous high-profile international audio brands in Ukraine and several European countries und

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31 October 2025

Ireland - Solid State Logic has announced that Murt Whelan Sound (MWS Ltd) will serve as its rental & resale partner for SSL Live products in Ireland.

MWS Ltd will offer local sales and technical support on behalf of SSL across Ireland and will assist its customers the live events, touring, and installation markets. The appointment covers the entire SSL Live product range including consoles, interfaces, software solutions and more.

“We’re pleased to welcome MWS Ltd as an SSL Live R2 Partner,” says Sam Bath, SSL UK sales & distribution manager. “Their reputation for quality and dedication to high-calibre audio makes them a perfect partner to support and expand SSL Live’s presence in Ireland.”

Murt Whelan, managing director of MWS Ltd, comments: "We are proud to bring SSL's solutions to both our existing clients and new cust

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31 October 2025

France - Les Salles du Carrousel, housed beneath the glass pyramid of the Louvre in the heart of Paris, offers 6,635m² of modular interior space to cater for events of all types and sizes. As the site operator, Viparis has relied for many years on the expertise of Magnum – one of France’s leading audiovisual providers – to deliver high-end AV solutions. When the time came to renew the audio systems, Magnum selected the new CCL (Compact Cardioid Line Array) system from d&b audiotechnik to elevate the venue’s audio offering whilst respecting both Viparis’ and Magnum’s stringent sustainability criteria.

“The previous system, while functional, was over 10 years old, and starting to show signs of wear and tear,” explained Eduard Dubus, who heads up the technical team at Magnum. “We were looking to replace it with something more modern, and

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31 October 2025

USA - The Billboard Latin Music Awards, celebrated at the James L. Knight Centre in Miami on 23 October, was a showcase of talent, remarkable moments, and new technology. Broadcast live on Telemundo, the Latin Billboards highlighted the best in Latin music with performances from notable artists.

Broadcast mixer Anthony Portillo and music mixer Carlos Alvarez, alongside FOH engineer Raul Gonzalez, house production mixer Raphael Alkins, and monitors engineer Joe Lizano, ensured every note and beat was ‘captured with precision’.

For the first time, two of the new Shure DCA901 microphones were deployed. Positioned strategically in the venue, the DCA901’s eight lobes served as the centerpiece of the event’s audience sound design.

“For more than two decades, Shure has been an invaluable part of our broadcasts, consisten

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31 October 2025

UK - Cheltenham Racecourse has upgraded to a new L-Acoustics professional sound system designed and installed by Audiotek in conjunction with technical service provider Racetech.

The upgrade replaces parts of the existing PA system with a fully monitored system that delivers speech intelligibility for live commentary, background music, race-day announcements and emergency and evacuation messaging for up to 75,000 spectators across the grounds.

A project three years in the making, the Jockey Club, which owns and operates Cheltenham Racecourse along with 14 other racecourses across the UK, selected Audiotek following a competitive tender process managed by audio consultant Stuart Strachan of RaceTech, who specified strict performance criteria for the new system based on the British Standard BS 7827.

"Cheltenham is one of the jewels of the Jocke

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31 October 2025

USA - When a passenger vessel moored at 1800 N Harbor Dr in San Diego for a floating party named Noise Complaint, the sound was carefully engineered. With an audience capacity of 1,200 and a layout combining open-air energy up top with a more intimate environment below, the production team leaned on dBTechnologies to deliver sound reinforcement across both decks of the ship.

The event fully utilised the vessel’s two-deck configuration, with crowds moving between an exposed upper deck and an enclosed middle deck. The upper deck served as the primary performance space, deploying Opera Reevo 212 loudspeakers as mains, supported by Opera Reevo 210 out-fills and VIO S118R subwoofers, with additional Opera Reevo 210 cabinets on poles as DJ monitors. The middle deck featured DVX D12 loudspeakers paired with a single S618 subwoofer, maintaining clarity and balance

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31 October 2025

UK - Rise AV, the advocacy group championing gender diversity and professional development in the AV sector, has announced the delegates and mentors for its first-ever Elevate Programme. This six-week initiative is designed to ‘accelerate the growth of high-potential women in the AV sector, equipping them with the skills, support, and confidence to step into leadership roles and thrive’. The event will welcome 25 ‘outstanding women from across the AV sector’.

The programme includes:

Interactive Learning Day: Covering leadership authenticity, communication, conflict resolution, motivation, and finance fundamentals.

Industry Challenges: Small-group challenges tackling real business problems, supported by experienced mentors.

Final Event: Presentations, coaching, and opportunities to sharpen collaboration and impact.

Tool

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31 October 2025

Germany - At this year’s IAA Mobility in Munich, Mercedes-Benz showcased its brand universe in the open space of the Apothekenhof (Apothecary Courtyard) of the Residenzhöfe, a museum complex. The team from TLD Planungsgruppe was responsible for the technical planning, implementation and lighting design. High-performance LED systems from GLP, including the KNV Cube and the new JDC Burst 1, were at the heart of the presentation.

In addition to the freely accessible open space in Munich’s city centre, Mercedes-Benz also had a presence at the IAA Summit on the exhibition grounds, where the brand’s technical expertise was the focus. The open space, on the other hand, emphasised emotion, design and staging – and thus light as a central design element.

Early in the design phase, it became clear that replicating the distinctive radiator grille of th

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31 October 2025

USA - From the Downtown Cary Park to the USA Baseball National Training Complex, the town of Cary, North Carolina cares about quality for its residents. In the past two years, the Downtown Cary Park has been awarded numerous awards including being named the No. 1 Best Public Playground in 2025 by USA Today’s 10Best along with awards in 2024 from the National Association of Landscape Professional, the Landscape Contractors Association, WRAL News, and the Triangle Business Journal.

“Cary citizens love coming to Cary facilities because they know they’re going to get a high-quality experience,” said Cailen Waddell, programme supervisor of technical operations for the Town of Cary, NC. “We make it our goal to help everyone provide the best performance possible by ensuring they have the right equipment and sound.”

“Everything the tea

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31 October 2025

Canada - Hundreds of ADJ luminaires were utilised by local production company Digital Media Integrations to transform the Heritage Park historical village in Calgary, for its annual Ghouls Night Out Halloween event. A combination of moving heads and static wash fixtures was used to create a spooky atmosphere throughout the park, with moody colours, crisp Gobo projections, striking silhouettes and theatrical strobe flashes all contributing to the immersive experience.

Established in 1964, Heritage Park has grown into one of Calgary’s premier tourist attractions. It brings to life the history of Western Canada, covering the 1860s to the 1950s, through period buildings, exhibits, and costumes that give visitors the opportunity to experience life in bygone times. The park’s historical collection comprises 50,000 artifacts and it features 180 exhibit

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31 October 2025

UK - Sean Crowley, director of drama and head of design performance at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, has been awarded the prestigious Golden Pin Award for lifetime achievement in Stage Design by OISTAT, the International Organisation of Scenographers, Theatre Architects and Technicians. The award was presented at the World Stage Design exhibition 2025, held this year in Sharjah. 

Sean, who celebrated 25 years in his post at RWCMD last year, is a leader in British and international theatre design. In this time his focus on ‘art school training’ within a conservatoire setting, and his passion for making the college’s Design for Performance course as accessible as possible, encouraging people who wouldn’t normally think of studying at a conservatoire to apply, has led to an impressive track record in the Linbury Prize for Stage Design w

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30 October 2025

Czech Republic - Solid State Logic has announced the appointment of Commercial Audio as its distributor in the Czech Republic and Slovakia regions. The company will provide end-to-end distribution services for SSL and Harrison Audio in both countries, including warehousing, logistics and support.

The appointment builds on SSL's existing relationship with Commercial Audio in Poland for nearly 20 years and will cover ACP (audio creation products) and large format consoles for live, broadcast, and studio.

Headquartered in Warsaw, Commercial Audio has recently expanded its reach into Czech Republic and Slovakia with a dedicated team.

"I’m very excited to announce an expanded partnership with Commercial Audio into Czech Republic and Slovakia," said Genevieve Little, sales executive, SSL Audio Creation products. "Having an already established rel

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30 October 2025

Qatar - PRG has announced the expansion of its Middle East operations into the State of Qatar.

This move builds on PRG’s delivery of major events in the region, including the FIFA Fan Festival, World Aquatics Championships, and the AFC Asian Cup opening ceremony. PRG sees Qatar as ‘a vital market for its continued regional growth’.

Since its expansion into Saudi Arabia in 2021, PRG Middle East has grown significantly and continues to invest in equipment, facilities, and staff.

Leading the new venture in Qatar is Harry Lister, who has been appointed general manager of PRG Qatar. Lister brings a deep understanding of the Qatari market and has built strong, long-standing relationships with key clients over the years. He will continue to serve concurrently as director of account management for the Middle East.

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30 October 2025

USA - Spanning over 40 stops in arenas, amphitheatres and outdoor festivals across the United States, Dierks Bentley’s 2025 Broken Branches Tour featured the musician’s full repertoire, including classics and tracks from his latest album, Broken Branches. ACT Entertainment provided the audio backbone necessary for the production.

The tour’s audio workflow was designed by front-of-house and systems engineer James ‘Pugsley’ McDermott, who worked with ACT Entertainment to leverage Avid Venue S6L-24C consoles and a PK Sound Trinity Black Line Source System for a flexible, fast-deploying setup. The Avid consoles played a central role in the workflow. The system’s tight integration with Pro Tools and networked audio allowed for seamless virtual soundchecks, real-time adjustments and precise control over dynamics and EQ.

“Tra

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30 October 2025

France - When Collectif La Bringue and Minuits took over Nantes’ 9,000-capacity Zenith Arena for Calling For Rave, they made history. This was the first time the venue, a cornerstone of France’s touring circuit, had hosted an all-night techno event. For audio, the team turned to long-time collaborator Combeuil Audio and its Funktion-One sound systems.

“Zenith Nantes is a major institution for entertainment production,” said Esteban Haie of Collectif La Bringue and 99dB. “Our goal was to deconstruct the venue’s image and create a true rave experience in a concert hall environment. Funktion-One has been with us since the beginning, so it was the obvious choice.”

Working with La Bringue’s production team, Combeuil Audio designed a system to deliver powerful, coherent coverage across the vast arena. Suspended Evo 7T arrays with F

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30 October 2025

USA - In June, for the first time since 2019, Starbucks convened its Leadership Experience conference, bringing together more than 14,500 of its store managers and other Starbucks leaders at Thomas & Mack Centre in Las Vegas. The three-day gathering included breakouts and workshops, keynote speakers, competitions, live musical performances, all backed by a large-scale Cohesion audio system.

FOH engineer Andrew Waterman, who also serves as account manager for global brands Starbucks and Microsoft, was entrusted to select the PA. “I’ve done a lot of events lately with Cohesion, and the sound and the coverage have been amazing,” he said. “It’s just so smooth and good sounding. It’s a team effort, and I think James [Ellison, system engineer] has done an amazing job with the design, so my hat’s off, for sure.”

The system comprised two