UK - Stardraw has now announced that all of its subscription-based applications have been upgraded to support Autodesk's AutoCAD 2005. Support is bi-directional, which means that users can read and edit any DWG version and save to any DWG version. This enhancement represents a total rewrite of Stardraw's DWG engine, say the company. Indeed, improvements may be noticed in earlier versions of DWG files, and among the advances is the addition of support for TrueType fonts.
According to marketing director Rob Robinson, it was crucial that Stardraw implement support for AutoCAD's latest release as quickly as possible. "Full compatibility with AutoCAD in both directions is an important part of the value we offer systems integrators. It allows them to communicate and exchange information with architects and planners quickly and easily, because nothing is more frustrating than finding that you can't read the data you have been given, or that you are unable to export in the required version. As 'integration' is a key part of what we do, we therefore felt it vital to react in a timely fashion to AutoCAD's latest release so that all of our subscribers can benefit."
Holders of a current subscription can profit from this major upgrade for free as part of Stardraw's regular feature update program.
(Sarah Rushton-Read)
UK - Only 18 months after its management buy-out, Hall Stage picked up the Rigging and Engineering Product of the Year Award from the Association of British Theatre Technicians tradeshow, for the second year running.
Following on from the Widget of the Year success of the 'HoldOn' clip, launched in 2003, the company unveiled the DGS Counterweight Drive system, designed in conjunction with the company's German partner, ASM Steuerungstechnik.
The DGS is the first genuine drive hoist that means an end to counterweight loading, with all of its inherent Health and Safety, cost and time implications, say Hall Stage. Fitting directly onto an existing counterweight frame, the DGS uses twin steel bands with a combined safety factor of 20:1 to raise and lower the weight cradle at speeds of up to 1.5m/second - in virtual silence.
Hall Stage are also offering full financial support packages from the Bank of Scotland, enabling a venue to purchase a full system for less than the costs of running its current installation.
(Sarah Rushton-Read)
UK / International - Out Board has recently seen significant growth in international demand for its chain hoist controllers and accessories, with the support of several new international distributors for the range.
In Spain, Carlos Martinez-Itturalde of Pro-Lighting SL has sold CM4 units to Trui Espectaculos, a leading production company in Palma de Mallorca, and also into a new rigging installation for the principle theatre in Valencia. A CM6 six-channel controller went to Madrid-based Quasar, owners of the largest mobile roof system in the country. In Sweden, long-term CM users Spectra+, whose credits include the Latvian Eurovision, have added 10 CM4 four-channel controllers to their inventory, supplied by Per Olof Lungmark of Intersonic.Dutch CM hoist distributors Louis Reyners have been supplying large numbers of their chain-hoist clients with Out Board's Smart Safe modules, which fit inside CM Lodestar hoists to automatically detect and compensate for incorrect phase rotation on the incoming three-phase supply. Many have found this expedient to deal with variations in phase rotation standards across different venues.
Further East, Showquip of Christchurch, New Zealand has taken stock of CM4, CM6 and CM12 units to service new interest encountered in the country. A special Weiland-connector version of the CM4 has been supplied to match local connector standards.
The Out Board CM-Series low-voltage controllers for CM Lodestar hoists are available in compact 4-, 6-, and 12- channel variants, along with various remote hand controller options and truss-mounting
UK - Vertigo Rigging were called in to action at The Odeon, Leicester Square for the launch of the new Harry Potter blockbuster, Harry Potter & The Prisoner of Azkaban. Vertigo's brief included the rigging of a giant 5m wide by 9m high Dementor's claw, made by Brighton-based Phil Donoghue, at the top of the cinema's tower - strategically placed to curl round the tower, appearing to grip onto it.
Working in conjunction with Service Graphics, Vertigo covered the entire front fascia of the Odeon with adhesive vinyl panels, creating a massive Harry Potter picturescape and branding. The suspension of another 10m wide by 4m high sign weighting over half a tonne required the installation of a substantial rigging infrastructure over the building's balcony. The initial stages of the vinyl cladding detail of the project started the Monday before the Bank Holiday Sunday of the Premier, when Vertigo installed a cantilevered trussing structure on top of the Odeon's 37m high tower. Another trussing structure was installed along the lower part of the building roof, complete with a rail system.
With the rail system and the cantilevered truss in place, the entire cinema front could be accessed via motorized platforms, allowing three teams of vinyl applicators to work simultaneously. Doing this early meant they could do much of the structural installation without disrupting the cinema, and without needing for any cranes or cherry pickers in the square during this part of the build. The Vinyl application itself started on the Friday morning and was completed by Saturday mor
UK - The ILMC Safety Focus Group is well on its way to raising the 40,000 euros it needs to secure a 160,000 grant from the European Community. To date, the total amount of money either donated or pledged to the ILMC Safety Focus Group (SFG)'s European project stands at 44,628 euros. The core of this support has come from live music agents, promoters and support services.
In addition, the ILMC Safety Focus Group is hoping to raise further funds to help secure the future of the group and to start work on other industry-led safety projects, in particular a crowd safety project. It is planning a second fundraising campaign for Autumn 2004, with a target of 20,000.
Meanwhile SFG member Bert van Horck of ICMS urged live music professionals: "Please continue to donate. Any funds raised for the ILMC Safety Focus Group above the original target will allow us to research future projects such as crowd safety. We estimate that the group needs a further 20,000 before ILMC 17 to secure its immediate future as an effective lobbying force.
"Any funding you provide the ILMC Safety Focus Group now will ensure that the live music industry has its own voice on safety issues on an international and government level."
(Lee Baldock)
USA - Total Structures' new wave truss is now the proud winner of six widely recognized awards, making it one of the most decorated products in entertainment and exhibition history. The latest award is First Place in the Professional Category - Commercial of the 2004 International Aluminum Extrusion Design Competition held by the Extrusion Technology for Aluminum Profiles Foundation.
Since its launch at LDI 2002, the innovative new wave, with its carbon fibre technology and nine-port aluminum extrusion that is used for the shear webs, has caught the eye of entertainment and exhibition industry professionals. The truss and, in particular, the shear webs have now been recognized by the global aluminum extrusion industry.
Ian Coles, president of Total Structures Inc, said: "I am delighted that the product has now received recognition outside of the entertainment and exhibition industry. To receive such a prestigious award for the beauty of it's design in addition to the awards it already had for its practical use, is particularly pleasing."new wave is also the winner of the Innovation Award for Product Excellence at PLASA 2003; Lighting Product of the Year, Rental & Staging Systems Award 2003; Buyers Choice Award - The Exhibitor Show 2003; Debuting Product of the Year - LDI 2002; Product of the Year - Rigging and Hardware - LDI 2001 for its connection system, the OMNI Connector.
(Lee Baldock)
UK / Germany - After extensive periods working on loading galleries and seeing many colleagues suffering with lumber and associated body injuries, the Hall Stage design team decided to bite the bullet and solve the problem. Highly experienced stage rigging and flying crew with years of backbreaking toil behind them have designed the DGS system, using the patented ASM steel band suspension, which fits directly to an existing counterweight system. The system can be seen working live on the Hall Stage stand at the ABTT Trade Show in London from 16-17 June.
Hall say that as much thought and effort has been put into the pricing and purchasing options available to potential users as to the design of the hardware itself. A full range of finance is on offer to support the purchase, with leasing, hire purchase - and even rental - provided directly by Hall Stage and the Bank of Scotland - from simple entry level local controlled units to full-blown group synchronized installations. Hall Stage will even buy the venues' redundant counterweights for cash!
"There is absolutely nothing wrong with a counterweight system," says Hall Stage director Phil Wells, "apart from the danger, expense, cost of associated labour, inefficiency, back and muscular problems, dirt, blood blisters, sweat, crushed fingers and occasional tears."
DGS installations are designed to reduce the time taken on fit-ups and show rigging. A bar is available immediately as required and can be loaded and flown in minutes, without the need for re-weighting. "Although not currently ille
Industry maverick John Jones is leaving Pfaff-Silberblau after 21 years service to pursue other professional and personal interests. Jones is probably best known as the MD of lifting, moving, turning and flying specialists PCM, the entertainment and leisure division of the German owned Pfaff.
He set up PCM in 1993. The company was responsible for establishing the CM Lodestar motor as the UK and European concert touring industry standard motor in the 1990s. Another major achievement for Jones was the establishment of a comprehensive infrastructure of motor and rigging training programmes based at PCM, and open to all. Training is one of the many areas he is passionate about.
Jones comments with trademark Liverpudlian dryness: "I've had a fantastic time with the company, but the time was right to move on - or I was in danger of becoming part of the furniture!" Jones is also an active and often outspoken industry figure. He's coy about his next move, but indicates that there's no shortage of exciting options.
(Sarah Rushton-Read)
UK - Chain hoists are normally selected by a number of criteria - the weight they can lift, speed of travel, height of lift and so on. They are rarely, however, chosen for their aesthetic qualities. That is, until Andi Watson, lighting designer for Dido's current North American and European tour, became involved. Fundamental to the show's lighting design were clean lines and minimal intrusion by the hardware involved in moving the lighting and video panels around.
The chain hoist of choice was the CM Prostar, but a problem still existed in how to achieve repeatable and reliable positioning. The solution was the Prostar Elevation, a product that Kinesys believes is the only variable-speed Prostar solution in the world. Kinesys was able to combine their Elevation 1+ control units with a conversion to the Prostar chain hoist to allow precise positioning and a full range of speeds to be achieved.
The initial batch of Prostar Elevation hoists and controllers have been supplied to Upstaging, USA, for use on the North American leg of Dido's tour. Kinesys director Dave Weatherhead commented: "We are delighted that Upstaging has chosen the Elevation route for their variable-speed chain hoist needs. Partnering the universal Elevation 1+ controllers with the Prostar motor brings a whole range of possibilities, not just for touring work but also corporate and smaller scale events for which the Prostar is the perfect choice."
Upstaging now join a distinguished list of lighting and rigging companies that are embracing the Elevation concept. The versatility of the s
UK - Star Events Group supplied Homelands' organizers with an Orbit structure that was used as the 'Hydration Station' for the festival. Star Orbit erected a 12m, two-bay structure at the centre of the event site. With Orbit-style structures usually used for performance stages at Homelands, this year the 'Hydration Station' was created using a Star Orbit stage and became a central sales outlet for refreshments. The stage stood out from other structures with its distinctive dome shaped roof and contained a dance floor with a lighting rig and screen, together with a kiosk selling water and energy products.
The 17-hour event took place at Matterley Bowl in Hampshire, and brought together live bands and DJs for thousands of visitors. Faithless and the Scissor Sisters topped the live act bill, with the likes of Erik Morillo, Paul Van Dyk and Judge Jules taking to the decks. Star Orbit director, Paul Ladd commented: "This was Star Orbit's first time at Homelands and it has been great to be a part of it all, especially using the structure for something a little bit different."
(Lee Baldock)
UK / Italy - Following a meeting at SIB Rimini in March, Hall Stage has secured a UK distribution deal with JAB Italy for their superb ranges of riggers' tools, bags, torches and accessories, all of which will be available from Halls direct, or from their many distributors around the Country.
"We've been looking for a good manufacturer of this type of kit for a while and came across JAB in Rimini this year," said Charles Haines, Hall Stage commercial director. "They have a fantastic sense of design, quality and detail and fit very well into our catalogue."
Featured here is the WingNut spanner set, for use on 13mm, 17mm and 19mm wings as well as the standard bolt hex heads. The second spanner in the set is specially designed for mini Omega bracket hooks and wing nuts found on moving heads. The set is laser cut from aero-grade aluminium and comes in a neat black belt pouch with double Velcro strap and an elastic top section to stop the spanners dropping out, should the rigger become inverted.
The full range will be on show at the ABTT Trade Show in London (16-17 June).
(Lee Baldock)
Uk - At this year's ABTT show (16-17 June, London) James Thomas will show its comprehensive ranges of theatrical lanterns. Its asymmetric Cyc lights feature a high quality electrostatic paint finish and robust yoke, complete with T-bar for positive lock-off. Cyc lights can be used flown or floor-mounted - the body of the unit having an inbuilt 30 degree angle floor-mount facility - optional floor mounting plates are also offered. The units have adjustable lamp-holders and feature ventilation slots to prolong bulb and gel life.
Spot banks are available in various configurations of Par 36 lamps. Lamp changing is simple due to quick-release knobs on lamp's front retaining ring. Units can be supplied with stand-off colour frames if requires, and with two or four-way barn doors. Adapters are also made for all the major brands of colour changers. Spot Bank units can also be supplied wired or unwired, and custom sizes are available to order. TV spec units include a TV spud, bolt set, four-way barn doors and internal partition.
The Par 16 Batten uses MR16 12V lamps, colour frames are kept as far away as possible to prolong gel life, lamp failure neons ensure reliable operation with minimum maintenance. The units are supplied as standard with one pair of floor plates and colour frames.
The Mini Tower system is new from JTE - a small ground support tower designed to lift loads of up to 1000kg to a maximum height of 7.5m in a three or four tower configuration; 7.5m in a goal post (two tower) configuration with the outrigger section fitted as a single tower with the outrig
The PLASA Awards for Product Excellence are being relaunched as the PLASA Awards for Innovation, with the focus on products which genuinely advance the industry. All nominees for the Awards - which take place during the PLASA Show in September - will feature in the Innovation Gallery (pictured right). Unlike previous years, the awards will not be categorized according to sector, but will be judged on the grounds of innovation alone. Eight Awards will then be presented at the Awards Ceremony on Monday 13 September. Call us if you want to know more.
UK - Prolyte Products Group, one of the world's leading truss manufacturers, has announced that Andy Trevett, its UK account manager, is to leave the company at the end of May. Trevett has been instrumental in the establishment of Prolyte's trussing and staging products in the UK market since 2000.
"I have been delighted to have been associated with Prolyte for the past four years," said Trevett, "It has been a genuine pleasure to have worked with so many great people, both distributors and co-workers. Moreover, having been involved with the company during one of its most innovative phases - as it brought so many radical products, for example ProTrac, to the market - has been very exciting. However, I feel that I need to seek a new challenge, particularly as the Prolyte UK Distributor network is now in place and functioning very well."
A Prolyte spokesperson commented: " We are very sorry that Andy has decided to leave us and wish him every success with his future projects."
From now on all UK enquiries for Prolyte products should be directed to Peter Draaisma at the email address below or contact the nearest Prolyte distributor, details of which can be found on the Prolyte website.
(Sarah Rushton-Read)
UK - Stage Electrics recently managed the technical requirements of the Conservative Party's campaign launches for the European Parliament and the local council elections. The two launches held in two very different venues were given a unified look, coordinated by Stage Electrics' Stuart Miller, who handled the account for CCO Conferences.
For the European election launch Stage Electrics provided a full set in Studio 12 at Granada TV Studios. Placed in front of 100m of white cyclorama, the opaque polycarbonate set was applied to a white steel frame grid of squares. Two large projection screens were incorporated into the set with projection also provided by the company. The huge stage consisted of four varying height linked circular platforms which ranged from two meters to six meters in diameter. The set was constructed in short order by the Stage Electrics scenic workshop and managed by scenic project manager, Mark Trutwein. Two custom built acrylic lecterns were also provided with internal lighting and these are now touring the country for the huge number of presentations occurring throughout the election campaign.
Tim Routledge in-house lighting designer and project manager, provided the lighting design for both the events and utilized Thomas Pixelline LED Batterns and MAC 600s to backlight the polycarbonate. He said: "The set material is ideal for backlighting and takes colour fantastically, I have been able to provide a two tone look which changes throughout the event. This was a live TV broadcast on three news channels in the UK simultaneously; being i
UK / France - The grand finale to the Cannes Film Festival - a concert promoting the new movie De-Lovely - made the most of its stunning beach-side location, with a stage in the middle of the sea. De-Lovely, a drama based on the legendary American composer Cole Porter, is the latest musical to come out of the studios of MGM. To create a stage set which was in keeping with the theme of the movie and also elegant enough for the performers, including Robbie Williams, Alannis Morrisette and Sheryl Crow, MGM turned to scenic artists Hangman to come up with a concept for the design. Hangman in turn called upon LiteStructures to help them realize their ideas.
"MGM asked us to come up with a concept for the stage set, sending us to a top secret preview screening of the film to give us the opportunity to sketch out some ideas", explained Hangman's Sam Booker. "Jotting down our ideas in a darkened auditorium we decided on a very theatrical, Hollywood-style concept. Knowing the stage was out at sea, we wanted the set to look like a 1940s cruise liner, complete with handrails, bright sparkling fabrics and a big neon 'De-Lovely' sign."
While Hangman had no problem visualizing what the set should look like, they had to take into account the limited amount of space on the stage. Being built out at sea and watched from the beach, it was also vital that the set consisted of many levels so that each artiste could perform their song from a different setting. Booker continued: "Some of the songs were big band numbers while others were more in
France - Drapes and rigging specialist Blackout has collaborated with set and lighting designer, Alain Lenchampt, to help realize the set for French superstar Henri Salvador's recent tour which celebrated 70 years of the jazz/cabaret crooner's illustrious career and covered all of France's main cities, starting with performances at the Palais de Congres in Paris, attended by over 3,800 fans per night.
Blackout France's project manager, Damien Slaney, headed up the team and was responsible for designing and supplying a massive 27m x 9m drop cyclorama, which played a central role in the set design. Fabricated out of ecru-filled cloth at Blackout's UK headquarters in South London, it divided the set between a jazz combo downstage centre and a 40-piece orchestra behind.
Offering a huge semi-circular blank canvas, the cyc was used by Lenchampt, to create a stunning barrage of lighting effects for the show's opening sequence; it was also central to the climax of the reveal of Salvador's orchestra. Blackout France's team under-slung the cloth from curved 50mm aluminium tubing, suspended from the main curved truss. A second bar of curved tube weighted the cloth and held it into its curved semi-circular position.
To create the reveal sequence, 28 solenoids in line were used to trigger the Kabuki drop. The cyclorama was fabricated in two pieces overlapping centrally, which after the reveal of the orchestra allowed its evacuation stage left and stage right. Blackout also supplied and rigged its innovative LED STARled starcloth for the upstage backdrop.
"We really e
UK - Star Rigging provided the rigging requirements for Westlife's Turnaround tour, to ensure the group could incorporate their latest stunt to get them close to their fans. The production focal point of the show was an aluminium catwalk lowered from the ceiling, on which the band performed four numbers over the heads of the audience. Star Rigging ensured the catwalk was rigged and lowered safely at each of the shows. The complete catwalk was 120ft long and incorporated an aluminium mesh walkway with a circular stage at the end, with Perspex flooring allowing the crowds to see the band throughout their performance. During the show, the giant catwalk was lowered out of the arena roofs to a 3m height above the heads of a delighted audience.
Star Rigging's Phil Broad designed the rigging plots and programmed the company's Ibex motion control system, ever mindful of the safety of the concert-goers. With more than 250 connections to the 21 motors, the Ibex's safety system meant the slightest glitch with any motor was identified and the whole system would come safely to a halt. Star Rigging's Mil Rakij controlled the system throughout the show and programmed the motors, which smoothly lowered the walkway, whilst constantly monitoring the movement via his laptop.
Production manager Steve Levitt, of Productions North, commented: "This year we have had a tighter tour schedule with matinée performances included in the run, which is great for the fans but has increased the workload for the production team. Star Rigging has delivered, along with the rigging requirement
UK - Summit Steel has purchased a large rigging automation and movement system by Kinesys from Brilliant Stages. It consists of 30 model LL Lodestars, operating with Elevation 1+ vari-speed hoist controllers and Kinesys' Vector Motion Control software. The purchase is part of Summit's ongoing commitment to the specialist area of movement and motion control, say the company.
Each Elevation 1+ Variable Speed hoist controller allows the variable speed running and full positional control of an electric chain hoist via an RS485-based protocol. The unit itself also incorporates a full variable-speed manual control plus remote handset control for basic running. Units can be daisy-chained together for easy set-up of multi-point lifts.
Summit is using Kinesys' Vector Motion Control software as the primary show control. Vector is a fully-featured motion control sequencing system that can control both variable and fixed-speed devices. It offers cue editing and running facilities for easy programming and use. There's also a comprehensive manual running section which enables fast, simple movement of individual or grouped devices. Other advantages of the control software include its safety elements. The software contains an integrated alarm system which reads the status of 'external' digital inputs across the system, so the operator can monitor as many limits and emergency stops as required. Simulation mode allows complex cues to be created and run off-line for safe testing, with information sent and received on Ethernet via the mains distro.
Complementing the system are t
Balanced Technology is a new distributor on the Australian entertainment production scene, supplying an eclectic mix of products ranging from inline 5-pin to 3-pin DMX adapters and followspot sights, to Littlite task lights and complete aluminium truss systems.
Balanced Tech was featuring two new products. Brown's Precision Welding have developed a 500mm stacking truss system which, due to its advanced webbing design, is rated for higher loads than 500mm box truss. One person can comfortably move eight 3m lengths of this truss on a simple dolly.
Also on stand, Nic Moreau of Enttec was demonstrating his unique DMX Datagate, a sophisticated DMX device with one Ethernet port and eight bi-directional DMX512 (RDM) ports. The device can be configured, via its web interface, to perform any conceivable function with its ports: DMX distribution and routing, Ethernet to DMX, DMX to Ethernet, HTP or LTP merge, or any combination thereof - in any direction.
USA - On Thursday 6 May 2004, just before David Bowie was due to start his A Reality Tour at the James L. Knight Centre in Miami, a local lighting technician, later identified as Wally Thomas, fell 50ft to his death from a metal wire and rod ladder. Investigators are now trying to determine the circumstances which led up to the death of Thomas who had worked in the industry for 25 years and was an extremely experienced stage technician.
The Miami Herald reported that Homicide detective, Ed Avila told them: "Wally Thomas and two other workers - who were looking after stage spotlights - were all wearing full body harnesses. However, the speculation is that Thomas was not clipped into the safety line when he fell to his death.
According to colleague and stage hand Chris Ryan - who has worked with Thomas since 1978 - he was stunned to hear he was on a truss spot to begin with as he did not usually work at height, following a near-fatal fall 15 years ago, and secondly that he was very upset that he was allowed to get on the ladder without his fall arrest.
It is the employer's responsibility to ensure that local crew follow health and safety rules to the extent that they are supposed to stand at the bottom of the ladder and not let anyone climb without the proper equipment and training.
Light & Sound Design/Fourth Phase supplied the lighting for the Bowie tour and Bob Manners, the company's VP of business affairs, apparently said that the firm was still investigating to check if Thomas was using LSD equipment.
Local head of the International Al
The Netherlands - LGH Rigging Services, specialists in the hire, sales and service of rigging and associated equipment, has recently expanded into Holland in order to meet the increasing demand for its services in Europe.
LGH Rigging Services was established as a dedicated, back-up, equipment resource for the entertainment industry in 1997 by LGH Group plc, leaders in lifting and winching equipment for over 30 years. The business has until now been solely UK based at Three Mills Island Studios, London and is managed by Bob Dean.
Following its success in the UK, it has been decided to further support and develop European customer relationships by establishing a new mainland European base at Utrecht in Holland. Paul Fulcher, operations director, LGH Group, explained: "Our personnel's lifting and rigging expertise in the entertainment industry has been combined with a vast hire fleet to create a very powerful and professional package which can be easily replicated for the Dutch and European markets."
The Dutch business is managed by Frank Kreuk who has over 20 years' experience in the entertainment business, having previously worked for Focus Show Equipment and Flashlight before setting up his own company, Rotterdam Rigging.
(Sarah Rushton-Read)
UK - The BBC brought live music to Northern Ireland this spring with their BBC Music Live week, which kicked off with 'One Big Weekend' and closed with the 'Beautiful Night' concert. Star Events Group was bought in to provide the staging and rigging services for both events. 'One Big Weekend' took place on 24-25 April, incorporating both a dance day and a band day. Faithless took to the stage on Saturday whilst Sunday's headliners Ash got the crowds bouncing, and were warmed up by performances from Avril Lavigne, Kelis and Franz Ferdinand.
The event took place in a huge Kayam tent, in which Star Events Group created the show's focal point. A 20m x 15m Vertech stage was erected inside the structure with an impressive video and lighting set-up. The stage was branded with BBC Radio 1 and Music Live logos. A crew of 10 built the impressive structure over three days with Pete English acting as crew chief and doubling up as production rigger over the show weekend. Pete Holdich, project manager for Star Vertech, managed the logistics involved with the transportation of the staging equipment.
Dave McCalmont, BBC Radio 1 live events manager, commented: "After the success of last year's 'One Big Weekend' events, it seemed like a natural progression to use Star Events Group again. Pete Holdich worked closely with Neil (McDonald) and myself to deliver a staging and rigging combination that fitted perfectly with how we wanted the event to look and we were pleased with the result."
While the audience enjoyed the entertainment in Derry, the Star Events Group team w
UK - Star Events Group has hired out its first Star Orbit stage since buying the range of stages earlier this year. The stage, hired to the Rockingham Racetrack over the May bank holiday, also marked the first of the venue's summer series 'Days of Thunder' shows. 20,000 visitors enjoyed an exciting day's racing before being entertained by Freefaller, D'Side and V, with Blue closing the evening.
Since opening the UK's first purpose-built motor racing circuit in May 2001, with grandstand seating and modern facilities for visitors' comfort, Rockingham has encouraged family audiences to visit the state-of-the art venue by adding funfairs and pop concerts to the racing days.
Rockingham's Jeff Carter commented: "Last year we hosted several successful concerts with Star Mobile and this year we have bought in Star Orbit with their dome-shaped stage, which looks great and the artists and crew have loved."
Star Orbit director Paul Ladd managed the installation of the 15m stage, along with the PA and screen supports flanking the characteristic curves of the Star Orbit. He commented: "We are delighted to be working with the Rockingham management to establish this as a concert venue with facilities that any promoter will be happy with. It's been great getting on board with Star Events Group over recent months, the number of bookings this summer is phenomenal and I'm delighted that we are now fully operational."
Star Orbit's stage will be used for the series of the 'Day's of Thunder' monthly events running throughout the summer of 2004, with acts inclu