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Switzerland - Stagelight, one of Switzerland’s leading production rental houses, recently provided a Green-GO event comms solution as part of the full technical production package for a high-profile professional wrestling show at Zurich’s multi-purpose Hallenstadion.
The event was another success for Green-GO’s digital intercom over Ethernet technology, which has become a firm favourite in the events industry.
With the show production built around the central wrestling ring, Stagelight’s team designed a 360° sound system on a completely flown rig, with no ground support to block the all-important sightlines. With four followspot positions located high in the stands surrounding the ring, the intercom solution had to be distributed to the furthest reaches of the v

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South Africa - With the country in lockdown due to coronavirus, DWR Distribution’s staff remain available during office hours, while the company is offering a range of online learning opportunities.
“We have entered into completely uncharted territory as individuals as a country and as citizens of a global community,” says the latest update from DWR.
“The South African government has taken up the call to become a part the most ambitious and courageous global effort to stop the spread of the novel Coronavirus that is causing Covid-19, placing the lives of its citizens before commerce and profit. We at DWR Distribution stand behind our government and our world leaders and pledge our support to stem the threat posed Covid-19 by staying at home.
“However, staying in our homes does not mean that we have closed our doors. We have simply installed a virtual

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USA/Europe - Manufacturer of 4K and full HD AV signal distribution and control solutions, WyreStorm reports that it is monitoring daily all situations related to Covid-19 that may impact its business, following CDC guidelines and making sure that safety precautions are being taken.
“As an essential business, our warehouse is fully operational and making shipments daily, including in areas that have mandated shutdowns. We have not seen any major concerns in terms of our inventory and will continue to monitor this in the days and weeks to come,” says the company.
“At this time, we are functioning as normal, with some exceptions: Our sales team will not be making in-person customer visits for the time being, but they are always available by phone and email to answer any and all questions.
“We are continuing our work from home plan that was announced on Tuesd
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Indochine X PixMob Fan Immersion

It's a bird! It's a plane! It's - 40 thousand LED pixels on a ceiling!!! Indochine's whirlwind tour transports fans to another level of the live experience - immersing them from floor to ceiling with PixMob's X4 wristbands, and an LED ceiling made entirely of its NOVA Minis! With the vision of Indochine's creative team, PixMob used its LED fan-technology to turn attendees and venues into an ocean of effects, and a starry sky of LED magic. Très très cool!

Read more about the Indochine tour in the latest issue of LSi

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Norway - Design and Architecture Norway, known as DOGA, describes itself as a driving force for sustainable value creation through design and architecture. The organisation looks to facilitate collaboration between creative talents and businesses and work to strengthen the role of design and architecture in shaping “the Norway of tomorrow”.
DOGA’s Machine Hall building, which dates back to 1898, hosts events to advance this mission. In any given week the schedule might include conferences and seminars or live music sets and video screenings.
Because of the values core to DOGA, designing an audio system for the space meant not only creating a versatile system capable of quality in spoken word and live performance, but also careful consideration to the tenets of good design. To achieve both, Norwegian distributor Benum utilised Renkus-Heinz digitally steerable loud

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USA - Clair Global is refocussing efforts to help communities and government officials by providing IT, networking and communications services for temporary disaster relief structures made necessary by the coronavirus outbreak.
With more than 50 years in the live event industry, Clair already works alongside emergency service agencies to provide network connectivity and emergency communications for the events they support.
The company is now partnering with Mountain Productions, Inc. to integrate Clair’s turnkey solutions and custom designs into Mountain’s large-scale temporary hospitals and disaster relief centres.
“When we launched the MTN Emergency Services platform, Clair Global immediately heeded the call, and we are proud to be working with their world-class organization and unique solutions to address this global crisis,” says Ricky Rose, CEO at

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UK - Pro AV solutions manufacturer Biamp has announced the implementation of a dealer-direct model in the UK and Ireland, which “will enhance the company’s ability to support customers and drive growth”.
Following the recent opening of Biamp’s new European headquarters in Antwerp, Belgium and its UK sales office in London, the company is now transitioning to dealer-direct model to strengthen its sales, support, and product distribution in the region.
In addition to some direct accounts, Biamp will be working with Midwich, Leisuretec, and Professional Audio in Northern Ireland - in all cases, served by Biamp’s sales and support staff. This enables the company to more aggressively pursue opportunities in all target vertical markets: corporate, food service and hospitality, retail, large venues, education, religion, sports and leisure, and outdoor applications.

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UK - Ollie Searle has joined Stage Electrics as a service engineer working within their busy service department. As part of a team of five service engineers, Ollie will be responsible for visiting customers across the UK, maintaining and repairing a wide range of production lighting audio and video equipment.
Stage Electrics are authorised service centres for ETC, Chauvet, ChamSys, Zero 88, Avolites, Martin Professional, Vari*Lite, Strand, Yamaha, DiGiCo RCF, TecPro, Altair and Swisson brands.
“It is something I have always wanted to do. My degree was in music production and I enjoy fixing things. Both of these go hand in hand with this role,” said Ollie.
Rob Ley, service manager, comments: “Ollie brings with him experience of setting up and operating audio systems in a live sound environment, as well as diagnostic/fault-finding and workshop repair skill

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USA - Pigeons Playing Ping Pong thrives on contact with their large, loyal base of hardcore fans. Feeding off the energy of the crowd powers the psychedelic funk jam band through a relentless touring schedule that includes about 200 shows a year. But a wildly cheering audience was nowhere to be seen when the irrepressible quartet took to a temporary stage set up at Showtime Sound’s warehouse in Baltimore on 14 March for a live streamed concert on nugs.tv.
Nevertheless, ‘the flock’, as the quartet’s aficionados are affectionately called, got a healthy dosage of Pigeons magic thanks to 90 minutes of free-flowing music, accompanied by a lively Manny Newman designed light show that featured Chauvet Professional fixtures.
Covering the stage with bold vibrant colours, Newman evoked the band’s unabashedly modern-hip image on stage while still keeping his looks mana

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Latvia - The Adazi Cultural Centre is a modern and popular institution that serves numerous community functions with events such as concerts, exhibitions, conferences and many other educational experiences. Not only do residents of the region love the Adazi Cultural Centre, it’s also highly valued by Latvian pro audio industry professionals, popular musicians and concert producers.
The building was commissioned in 2010, unfortunately, the sound system originally installed in the 400-seat hall was outdated and could not provide the necessary sound coverage across the hall or up in the balcony area. Enter Clair Brothers.
Maris Vitols, head of the Adazi Cultural Centre technical department, knew an upgrade was needed and began gathering vital information about high-quality, modern sound system solutions that would meet modern expectations and deliver the kind of sound t

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UK - Allen & Heath’s dLive and Avantis consoles provided audio support for a wealth of emerging British talent at the relocated British Music Embassy (BME) sessions earlier this month.
For several years, the BME has hosted a live showcase for the hottest new British musicians at South by Southwest (SXSW) in Austin, Texas. When this year’s event was cancelled at short notice, the BME and its partners moved quickly to offer an alternative broadcast event to shine the spotlight on performers such as Aaron Smith, Arlo Parks, Bess Atwell, Liz Lawrence, Jordan Mackampa, Porridge Radio and Steam Down.
The result was a series of closed-door studio sessions, staged at Production Park’s West London facility, The Mill, and broadcast via radio and live streams across social media. Ant Forbes, production manager for the BME and The Mill, explains, “It just seemed like a

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UK - With more than three decades as a touring engineer and heading up his sound company, Pyramid Audio, Ian ‘Fleece’ Elliott is well versed in the value of both vintage and contemporary technology.
A typical Pyramid Audio sound system combines classic Martin Audio loudspeakers with Linea Research power amplifiers. “I’ve got Martin Audio products that go back to the 1980s and 1990s,” he reports. “We plug them into new Linea Research 44M or 48M or 88C power amplifiers and they sound amazing The clarity is phenomenal. Everybody’s blown away by it every single time.”
Although Elliott has long favoured Martin Audio loudspeakers, he has tried an assortment of power amplifiers over the years before settling on Linea Research. “We do mostly loud rock shows, and it demands a lot of power,” he offers. “The new Linea Research amplifiers save us a lot of rac

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UK - Technical production specialist CPL was poised to deliver an elaborate show environment to event organisers Pandora Events for a motivational event and sales conference occupying Hall 4 of the NEC Birmingham, UK, complete with in-the-round staging, live band, dancers and roller-skating artists and high-level presenters - for 2,500 guests, when, during the dress rehearsals, Covid-19 intervened.
The latest UK government advice - at that time, 10 days before the national lockdown came into force on 23 March - was announced, and organisers took the unanimous decision to stop guests journeying from all over the UK to be there.
Instead, with under 24 hours’ notice, the event was transformed into a four-hour webcast.
The band still played, the dancers and the skaters performed. All the routines were pre-recorded by CPL’s video / camera crew and inserted into th

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Europe - Elation Professional’s European website has received a thorough makeover with a redesigned look that makes for a more engaging visual experience with more intuitive interaction. The website’s improved functionality and cleaner, uncluttered design makes it easier for visitors to find the information they need in a more visually appealing interface.
The new website, still found at www.elationlighting.eu, is more reflective of the professional development and increased market presence the company has experienced over the past few years.
Elation Europe’s new-look website is easier to navigate and features an enlarged format with enhanced visual content. Compatible across multiple platforms/browsers with an adaptive screen size and design for phones and tablets, the new webs

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Europe - Austrian Audio OC818 microphones were recently put to use on British singer-songwriter, Sam Smith’s tour as overheads. Smith’s profile raised significantly in 2014 after debut album release, In the Lonely Hour. 2015 saw Smith awarded with four Grammy Awards.
Smith’s FOH engineer, Jim Ebdon started his career in audio straight out of school whilst working at Surrey Sound Studios, where The Police recorded their first two albums. He later progressed to working as a studio engineer, then as a live sound engineer for high profile artists such as Maroon 5, Annie Lennox, Sting and Aerosmith.
“I’ve had a very colourful career,” he says. “I started as a tape op assistant in the studio and I quickly learned mic techniques, how to cut tape, and how to operate a mixing console. That put me in good stead to become a live sound engineer a few years lat

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USA - When Christian hip-hop recording artist and seven-time Grammy winner TobyMac hit the road for his Hits Deep Tour, the production team knew that growing audiences and varying coverage demands would provide a challenge few loudspeaker systems could meet. Eastern Acoustic Works’ (EAW) worked directly with BlackHawk Audio in implementing its ADAPTive System for the tour, as it extends coverage and provides even front to back response in a physically compact system.
“The tour is a large and complicated audio deployment; the sound system has to be up and out of the way of the many video screens, yet still provide massive power and clarity to the audience,” says Rick Shimer owner of Blackhawk Audio. “We knew EAW’s ADAPTive could handle our needs and consistently deliver the coverage we needed regardless of the size or shape of the venue. The system has delivered an

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Thailand - AV integrator Mahajak Development Co recently deployed a wide range of Harman Professional Solutions audio and lighting systems in four of the Grande Centre Point Hotel’s facilities to create immersive audiovisual experiences.
Located in the heart of North Pattaya, the Grande Centre Point Hotel is a 32-story luxury hotel and resort. Grande Centre Point also offers a variety of amenities and activities, including the Terminal 21 shopping mall, the Sky 32 rooftop lounge, an amphitheatre for events and a family waterpark. The hotel also includes the Port Ballroom and its seven adjoining meeting rooms, which are used for formal meetings, conferences, private dinner parties and exquisite banquets.
To elevate the entertainment experience, Grande Centre Point hired integrators Mahajak Development Co to design and install audio and lighting solutions in the Port B

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USA - US entertainment technology charity Behind the Scenes (BTS), in partnership with HelpPRO, has launched an online therapist finder designed for the entertainment industry.
As part of its research into mental health and suicide prevention, the charity had conducted an online survey of industry professionals, which revealed a shortage of therapists who understood the unique culture and stresses of the entertainment industry and who were available to see people on nights and weekends or through teletherapy.
The finder is now accepting therapist listings. Only therapists who have previously seen professionals in the entertainment industry as clients, or who have personal professional experience in the industry themselves, will be included in this finder. The finder will be available to anyone working in any facet of the entertainment industry and users will be able t

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The Netherlands - Throughout the Netherlands bundles of light were visible in the sky on Sunday 22 March evening from 20:00 to 20:30. The light and sound industry joined the #LightTheSky #StayAtHome initiative. Organiser Highlite reports, “This showed once again that the power of entertainment is in all of us, no matter the situation.
“From Highlite, we want to thank all those people who are working so hard for all of us to stay safe while we are being affected by the Covid-19. We would like to thank all the industry colleagues who made it possible and projected a light of hope in the sky. We especially like to thank not only the proud owners of our brands but everybody who shared with us and sent us pictures.
“Participants included THE LIGHTS.nl, CREATE amazing things, Paco support, the Light Package and Highlite Rent, who used Infinity Intelligent Light and Sh

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South Africa - The technical production industry is known worldwide for its resourcefulness and determination, and the coronavirus pandemic is energising some intrepid ideas to help keep businesses rolling and communities safe and functional during the crisis.
With all conferences and live entertainment work cancelled or postponed, South African rental company MGG based in Johannesburg was looking at their 32 idle vehicles - ranging from 45ft artics to small run-around vans - when owner and MD Mark Gaylard came up with the idea of offering the fleet for moving essential medical and other supplies during the crisis.
Mark composed a quick Facebook post about the transport fleet which went on his own personal page and before long it had nearly 400 shares and people started talking and calling.
The initial inquiries have started to become a steady trickle of work,

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Europe - LED lighting manufacturer Astera has launched Astera Academy, an online resource of free webinars dedicated to the company’s hardware and software offerings.
Available at www.astera-led.com/academy, the new venture enables interested parties – lighting and visual designers, DOPs, directors, gaffers, grips, engineers and techs - to utilise and maximise their time in self-isolation to learn.
The Astera Academy is doing its bit to help make the best out of the worldwide situation and assist the creative and resourceful entertainment technology industry to be ready to hit the ground running when life and business return to normal!
The Astera Academy offers free webinars allowing people to learn more about the AsteraApp and various Astera lighting fixtures.
Topics will include subjects like Getting Started with the AsteraApp to discover its

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UK - The Isle of Wight and Download, due to take place in mid-June, have become the latest music festivals to be cancelled due to the coronavirus.
Duran Duran and Lionel Richie were due to appear alongside Supergrass and Kaiser Chiefs at Seaclose Park, Newport on the Isle of Wight. At Download, Kiss, Iron Maiden and System of a Down were the headliners due at Donnington Park. These cancellations follow the earlier news that Glastonbury 2020, also scheduled for June, will not happen.
“The Isle of Wight Festival will no longer be taking place this year,” says the event’s website. “This decision hasn't been taken lightly and we have tried our hardest to make it work, but it was unavoidable given the current status. The whole team was excited to welcome everyone to the island for another fantastic festival and we extend our sincere apologies to everyone who was lo
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