UK - British rock/hardcore band Enter Shikari have been lighting up Hammersmith Apollo on the latest date of their current tour, before they embark upon a summer of festivals across the UK and Europe.

They have been lit by lighting designer Steven Bewley of Box Fresh Lighting, ably assisted by MA's grandMA2 desk, and a host of Clay Paky Sharpys.

A long time user of MA consoles, Bewley explains his reason for his desk choice. "I've progressed through the ranks of MA consoles, and the grandMA2 is easy to use, and allows you to programme a spectacular show quickly. It just works,

UK - A.C. Entertainment Technologies' rigging division, the exclusive UK reseller for Kinesys, is all geared up to provide demonstrations of the new Kinesys DigiHoist digital hoist controller range.

At the core of the system is a digital communications link that enables multiple units to be daisy chained together. The units will automatically assign channels according to their position in the daisy chain. The high resolution OLED displays offer comprehensive channel feedback including channel number, status and load cell information.

The DigiHoist platform has been designed from the

Germany - One of the big hits at this year's Frankfurt Prolight+Sound exhibition was the new XLED 336 fast moving head from PR Lighting.

It stood out among a large suite of innovative LED based products on the stand of the Chinese manufacturer, where visitors praised its brightness, its speed of execution and the sleek design of the housing.

XLED 336 is a 36-LED fast moving, compact and economically priced head, with 18.15° dispersion angle. It generates its power and RGB colour mix from 36 x 3W Osram Oslon LED's (12 red, 12 green, 12 blue). With a power consumption of just 140W

France - Meyer Sound has announced the appointment of 44.1, based in the Paris suburb of Colombes, as the first French dealer for EXP cinema audio systems. 44.1 is one of four recent additions to the Meyer Sound EXP distribution network, which also includes ACS Distributions in Pomona, Calif.; Audio Intervisual Designin West Hollywood; and FTT (Film Ton Technik Hannsdieter Rüttgers GmbH) in Düsseldorf, Germany.

"In the past we have been frustrated by the limited sound quality of traditional cinema loudspeaker systems," comments Paul-Henri Wagner, owner of 44.1. "Now,

India - Loud Technologies announced the company's plans to "achieve a well-deserved position for its EAW and Mackie brands in India" at a recent reception in Mumbai.

Key to the Company's aggressive growth plans are two new distribution partners: Bangalore-based E&E Systems India Pvt, who will handle exclusive country-wide distribution for the Mackie brand; and Mumbai-based Vardhaman, who will handle exclusive country-wide EAW distribution. E&E and Vardhaman join Musik City, the exclusive Ampeg distributor, to complete Loud's sales force in the rapidly growing Indian market.<

UK - The new TXS-2402SET two channel PLL microphone system from IMG Stage Line offers "an excellent route into the digital market with its two channel system" Running on 2.4GHz the digital microphones offer a high resistance to interference due to the digital transmission.

With volume control for each channel, 6.3mm output for mixed signal and 16 selectable frequencies the TXS-2402SET offers the capability to use two system simultaneously, allowing up to four microphones to be used.

Neil Clayton, managing director of Monacor UK commented, "It is great to be able to of

Germany - Quakenbrueck is a small idyllic town on the Hase River in Lower Saxony, Germany, which has played host to The Artland Bicycle Music Festival for the last two years. But this festival is different, very different. Power is very literally in the hands (or rather, the feet) of the spectators. "We take audience participation to a whole new level," explains Bob Giddens, member of The Artland Country Club Band and one of the principal organisers behind the festival."If people don't pedal, you won't hear anything!"

Giddens may be a musician and owner of a bicycl

USA - EAW recently announced the launch of their Red Certification training programme in support of their Powercube power and processing modules. EAW will award the Red Certification status after completion of a two-day seminar conducted at the customer's location. EAW President Jeff Rocha made the announcement.

"Powercubes deliver tremendous capabilities to owners of EAW mobile production line array systems," Rocha said. "Red Certification ensures that Powercube owners get the most out of these exciting, new products."

The Red Certification training seminar was

USA - For the 15th year in a row, a broad range of Audio-Technica microphones was selected to outfit the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony. A-T supplied over 50 mics to capture the audio for the 27th annual induction ceremony, which took place at the historic Public Auditorium in Cleveland, Ohio, on 14 April 2012.

Inductees included Guns N' Roses, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Donovan, Laura Nyro, The Small Faces/Faces, Beastie Boys, The Crickets, The Famous Flames, The Midnighters, The Comets, The Blue Caps and The Miracles. Freddie King received the Early Influence distinction.

UK - White Light and Coemar are teaming up to offer the prize of six LEDko units for those needing to retrofit their outdated lighting package. The competition, in which you can submit a video or storyboard of your current lighting package was launched at PLASA Focus in Leeds this week.

The entry that is deemed most in need of, or having faced the biggest issues in their lighting, will be awarded the prize at the PLASA Show in September.

Entrants are encouraged to explain how the Coemar products will benefit them in their day to day use. The lighting package on offer includes Coemar

USA - Brit Floyd's current North American tour features production by technology consultants FIX8Group (Stockport, Cheshire, UK) and includes a spectacular light show designed by FIX8's Neil Trenell.

At the centrepiece of this visual display are 38 Platinum Beam 5R moving head beam fixtures from Elation Professional. The Platinum Beams occupy a central position in the defining structures on the Brit Floyd set: a 16.5ft vertical circle of truss, flanked by a gigantic 84ft truss arch. Sixteen Platinum Beam 5R units are mounted on the truss circle, while anadditional 22 units hang from t

USA - ETCP has announced that Gravitec Systems and Production Resource Group (PRG) have joined the ranks of elite training opportunities by becoming ETCP Recognised Training Programmes. ETCP certified technicians who attend these courses will receive full renewal credits.

When it comes to protecting workers at height, Gravitec knows the value of education. Curriculum is designed to prepare workers and empower them to use available equipment and implement systems to protect themselves. Fall protection training provides riggers with the knowledge they need to perform their job safely. G

UK - Following on from previous successful courses, Avitas is hosting another seminar on temporary power systems for events on 13 June at White Light in London.

The one day course focuses on how - and why - the IET Wiring regulations and BS 7909 apply to temporary events and delves a little into why they are relevant and more importantly how compliance is not necessarily difficult. As well as looking at how to implement them correctly it also examples where current practice is not always best practice, showing where potential dangers exist in a typical event. It will also be of partic

UK - At PLASA Focus in Leeds, WiSE (Women in Stage Entertainment) and Le Mark, specialists in self-adhesive tapes, printed tapes, road case labels and dance floors joined forces to raise funds for Breast Cancer Care.

Le Mark, maker of the Dirty Rigger collection, announced that 10% of proceeds from the sale of their Ladies XS range of gloves for the coming year would go towards the Breast Cancer Care Programme.

To maximize the reach of this initiative Le Mark has teamed up with WiSE (Women in Stage Entertainment), a not-for-profit networking group for women working in the industry.<

UK - PLASA will host its 2012 European AGM and Members' Lunch on Tuesday 29 May at BAFTA in Central London. Over 200 members and guests are expected to take part in the event, which includes the opportunity to feedback on the work that PLASA is doing, contribute to the future direction of the Association, and enjoy networking with fellow members.

Over the past year PLASA has embraced a completely different governance structure, expanded its portfolio of events in North America, and introduced a range of new services and benefits. Members at the AGM will also learn more about PLASA's p

South Africa - Gearhouse South Africa, has recently reinvested in more L-Acoustics components to complete its existing inventory of Kudo, V-Dosc, dV-Dosc and Arcs. The new equipment comprises of 48 Kara, 12 ArcsII and 12 Kudo WST line source cabinets, eight SB28 and 24 SB18 woofers and 22 LA-RAK touring racks installed with LA8 amplified controllers.

South Africa is increasingly becoming a regular fixture on the international touring circuit. Combined with an increase in the domestic market, Gearhouse felt the extra investment in L-Acoustics was necessary to service the largest of the

UK - Two leading names in professional audio, QSC and Denon, have got together with UK distributor Batmink to showcase their latest products. This trade only event will take place on Wednesday 9 May, from 4 - 8pm at Komedia in Bath city centre.

Hosted by Batmink Distribution, demonstrations of the QSC K, KW and KLA Series loudspeakers, including a live band performance through the systems, will be followed by an A list DJ putting the new Denon DN-SC3900 through its paces.

Batmink sales director, Grant Thomas comments, "We are fortunate to have live demo rooms at our offices and

Germany - The Bosch Group expects global economic growth to slow. Accordingly, the technology and services company expects to see comparatively modest sales growth of between three and five percent in the current year. This was announced by Franz Fehrenbach, the chairman of the Bosch board of management, at the annual press conference held at company headquarters near Stuttgart.

"There is still a great deal of uncertainty with regard to future economic developments, even though the sovereign debt crisis in the euro zone has been defused slightly," Fehrenbach said. In the fir

UK - When Russian artist Dashi Namdakov wanted an air of mystery for the unveiling of his celebrated statue, MTFX was on hand to provide the effect. The five metre statue was covered by a thick black shroud that held an enveloping fog cloud.

When the veil was removed, the fog gently dissipated to unveil Genghis Khan seated pensively on his horse. The figure celebrated 850 years since the legendary warrior was born, and the artist wanted to portray his spirituality as part of the London City of Sculpture festival.

The statue will remain in place at Marble Arch for six months a

South Africa - From 1 May onwards, DWR Distribution will represent Prolyte Group and its full range of products as distributor for South Africa.

DWR is not entirely new to the Prolyte network, over the last years they have gained much knowledge of both Prolyte products and the working philosophy of the Prolyte organisation, re-selling the products in South Africa.

"It's the people who make our industry happen and investing in long-term professional relations builds a fruitful business" states Paul-Erik Haseloop, director group sales for Prolyte Group. "Prolyte Group i

UK - A.C. Special Projects (ACSP) has announced that William (Billy) Yeo has joined the company, taking on the new role of operations manager.

Yeo has been involved in the technology installations market for many years. Throughout his career he has worked in various project management roles, taking him all across the UK, Europe and Middle East.

As Operations Manager, he will oversee all aspects of the company's day to day operations, including managing the sales, purchasing, marketing and after-sales backup & support.

ACSP's General Manager, James Bawn comments, "I was very k

UK - Autograph Sales & Installations has appointed Giuseppe Mallozzi (known to all as 'Peppe') to its technical sales team in the newly-created position of Sales Support Engineer.

Italian-born Peppe brings almost 20 years of real-world knowledge to the

company. His wide range of experience includes live sound engineering, system design and event project management. Fluent in four languages, his arrival at Autograph Sales & Installations could not be better timed, as General Manager Debbie Lovelock explains: "Everything we do here is quality-driven and client-focused - in order

UK - Fruit Pie Music has produced its first ever open air live music event and broadcast to be almost entirely self-powered (without using the national grid for the duration of the event) for Imogen Heap, which was broadcast live online on Earth Day 22 April 2012.

Grammy award winning artist Imogen Heap performed a new Heapsong that she wrote during the course of the event. The song titled Me the Machine was written and then performed live using just her hands through musical gloves. The gloves are a prototype musical interface that Imogen has been developing over the la

Olympic Countdown - Duran Duran are to play a concert in London's Hyde Park to mark the start of the Olympic Games. The gig will feature headline acts from all four nations of the UK, with Duran Duran representing England and Snow Patrol appearing for Northern Ireland. Stereophonics will represent Wales and Paolo Nutini will play for Scotland. The concert on 27 July will coincide with the Olympics opening ceremony, which will be broadcast on big screens in the park between performances. Another concert marking the end of the Olympics will be held in Hyde Park on 12 August, headlined by

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