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UK - With a capacity of 4,000 guests and two stories of nonstop action, it’s easy to see why the Cardiff University Students’ Union is clearly the largest nightclub in its city. The popular venue attracts some of the best international acts on a regular basis, as was evidenced recently by an event featuring top UK DJs Chase & Status.
Tasked with providing energetic visual support to this event, local production specialists SR Production Services specified a selection of six Rogue R1 Beams and 10 Rogue R1 Wash fixtures from Chauvet Professional. Positioned on top of stage truss towers to provide sweeping beam looks over the audience, the Rogue fixtures also filled the void between the stage’s large video wall backdrop and its DJ booth.
“The R1 Beams are an ab

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UK - MDG and PRG XL Video have praised lighting designer Howell Binkley and the cast and crew of the London production of Hamilton: An American Musical on winning seven Olivier Awards, including that of Best Lighting Design, at the awards ceremony in April at London’s Royal Albert Hall.
PRG XL Video supplied three of its ATMe haze machines to this much-anticipated London production when it opened in December 2017.
Hamilton, which had already taken Broadway by storm with 11 Tony Awards, made its UK debut at the newly refurbished Victoria Palace Theatre in London’s West End, and received a standing ovation on the very first preview.
Howell Binkley says: “We use the ATMe units constantly throughout the show. There is no real scenery for this show, so the lighting has to create the different spaces required. We just wanted a very fine haze in the

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USA - The University of North Georgia (UNG) recently built a 3,600-seat Convocation Centre with the goal of making it the focal point of campus life for the community. When it came to sound reinforcement, the university called upon Dallas-based Idibri who designed an Eastern Acoustic Works (EAW) system that would be suitable for the various ways the venue would be used.
“The convocation centre is a multi-purpose facility that hosts student and community activities and academics while also being home to UNG Nighthawk basketball games,” explains Ben Boeshans, consultant for Idibri. “The EAW QX 300 Series loudspeakers are superb for speech and music and offer exceptional control. The distributed system works extremely well in an arena setting.”
The seating area is covered by 14 clusters hung in a ring around the edge of the basketball court. Twelve of the two-box
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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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UK - Burnley-based Bates Box has received its first major order following the company’s recent launch. This order from Inverness-based I-Light will see Bates Box supply two bespoke power distribution units for a catering event.
Bates Box offers a lightweight and efficient power distribution solution, compliant with all UK and European regulations, for a variety of applications across many sectors, including TV & film, catering, oil & gas and theatre. Their weather resistant and stackable boxes provide up to 16 power outlets in a single unit, made from recycled material.
Bates Box founder Paul Bates says: “We’re excited to be fulfilling our first order, especially since the units will provide safe, robust and effective power distribution for the caterers.”
Stephen Leslie, owner, I-Light, adds: “We’re delighted to be dealing with Bates Box. Th

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UK - Northern Stage Theatrical Productions in Newcastle recently invested in Spotlight FresneLED 150RGBW luminaires for a touring production requiring a versatile and low-energy LED Fresnel - and after being so impressed with their performance, has now made them a regular fixture in their Stage 3.
Northern Stage is the one of the largest producing theatre companies in the North of England, presenting new and dynamic original work as well as up-and-coming, innovative theatre makers.
With a recent tour taking in some smaller community venues, Northern Stage production manager, Chris Durant and lighting designer, Richard Flood needed a low-power LED lighting rig featuring a multi-purpose Fresnel solution, to keep the overall power needs down. At the same time, it needed to match the quality and output of conventional Fresnels and have the option to create coloured light

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USA - Magic Gives Back is an organisation that stages pro-bono magic shows at schools across the US to raise money for education projects. Started by celebrity magician and illusionist Rick Smith Jr, the organisation transforms school facilities into magical entertainment showcases. Key to setting the mood at these events is a versatile, compact and easily transportable lighting rig created by Brent Schmidt that features a collection of Rogue and Ovation fixtures from Chauvet Professional.
“Rick Smith Jr. approached me three years ago about designing, building and running the production for this show,” said Schmidt, the owner of B Productions. “Since the shows often take place in schools, they are not your typical theatrical production. I’ve taken theatrical elements, magic show looks and rock concert effects from my other projects and blended them into a creation th

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UK - Manchester-based audio specialist tube uk became the first UK production company to take delivery of Yamaha’s new Rivage PM7 digital mixing system, and the company was also the first to use it on a UK show.
“Rivage PM7 has many excellent features, the inclusion of the Rupert Neve Designs transformer circuitry and SILK processing through Yamaha’s Virtual Circuit Modelling shows that there is no compromise in quality,” says tube uk managing director Melvyn Coote.
“The extensive i/o count also means it is properly multi-purpose and will fit a wide range of audio scenarios. All-in-all it is a great quality system at a good price and, of course, it is underlined by Yamaha’s rock-solid reputation for reliability.”
Following Yamaha’s hands-on Rivage system demo day at London’s Abbey Road Studios, tube and Yamaha presented a similar hands-on worksh

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USA - The Yost in Santa Ana, California, is enjoying new life as a modern live event space thanks to entertainment production company N-EFFECT Productions and an entertainment technology package that includes Elation Professional lighting.
First opened in 1913 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the space initially housed vaudeville acts, silent films, and talkies but has also seen service as a live theatre, house of worship, live performance venue and nightclub.
N-EFFECT Productions and owner Kris Plourde started renovation of The Yost in June 2017 and he says almost $1m was put into the venue to give it the encore it deserved. By tapping into the old-world vibe of the storied venue, the new incarnation’s customizable Elation lighting system, QSC line array and large 3mm LED wall can transform events into extraordinary experiences.
“It

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Thailand - Mahajak Development recently installed a complete audio system by Harman Professional Solutions at Mitr Phol Stadium.
The 10,000-seat soccer stadium in Huai Phai, Thailand is the official home field of Thai Premier League team Ratchaburi Mitr Phol FC. Completed in 2016 and constructed to FIFA standards at the cost of over $9m, Mitr Phol Stadium is a world-class soccer facility, equipped with sufficient parking lots, pressrooms, locker rooms and souvenir shops.
Ratchaburi Mitr Phol FC hired Mahajak Development to perform its first stadium audio installation. Mahajak rose to the challenge, selecting a complete Harman system for audio quality, reliability and powerful performance.
“We required a customised audio solution for the new stadium that would deliver consistent coverage and vocal clarity for announcements and music performances,” said Tanaw

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Israel - Ronen Najar is a lighting designer used to working under some pressure, and for the 2018 Israeli Independence Day (Yom Ha'atzmaut) opening ceremony on Mount Herzl, Jerusalem, he needed those steely nerves as part of the creative team helping to commemorate a historically significant moment in Israel’s history, the 70th anniversary of the 1948 Declaration of Independence.
Ronen chose to use 55 x Robe MegaPointes and 68 x BMFLs - a combination of Spots and WashBeams - to illuminate the vast performance area built around the tomb of Theador Herzl, founder of modern political Zionism, at the top of the Mount of Remembrance, the site of Israel’s national cemetery and a resting place for the country’s war dead.
The event is organised by the Culture Ministry and broadcast live on all Israeli TV channels.
It’s also attended by an invited audience of 7,5

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Poland - KLANG:technologies has announced the appointment of Konsbud Audio as its exclusive distributor for Poland.
Konsbud Audio is a leading pro audio distributor with a portfolio that includes, among others, d&b audiotechnik, Allen & Heath, Audio-Technica, Avid, Genelec, Neutrik and Cordial. Started in 1989, at the beginning of the free market in Poland, Konsbud Audio began with distribution of audio and music equipment. Today, in addition to distribution of pro audio products, the company offers complete audio solutions for rental, recording and post-production studios, theatres, cultural centres, broadcast and AV companies. Konsbud Audio also supports its clients with industry leading technical support and service.
Jarosław Kierkowski, Konsbud Audio’s commercial director comments, “We had previously seen KLANG at PL+S in Frankfurt and, at a meeting wi

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UK - Special Project Resources (SPR), a new event production company part of HSL Group, has been launched by Tim Dunn and Marcel Wijnberger.
SPR has been described as “dedicated to assisting clients on any or all of the technical and design aspects of their concepts and projects through the innovative use of technologies”. The two founders have relocated from Johannesburg to HSL’s HQ in Blackburn, UK.
HSL MD Simon Stuart comments: “I am hugely excited about welcoming Tim and Marcel as SPR to the Group, and am looking forward to the dynamics and vision they bring to our equation. It’s going to be a highly productive, fulfilling and enjoyable working relationship.
“SPR will work in harmony with all the current HSL Group businesses and help grow, develop and diversify the scope of our work, optimise the talent, skills and personalities we already have a

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Europe - German company GLP has become the next major lighting manufacturer to campaign for exemption of stage lighting from the Energy Directorate’s Ecodesign Working Plan 2016-2019.
GLP says it would be “deeply affected” by the plans, which in their current form would impose a minimum efficiency of 85lm/W and a maximum standby power of 0.5W on all light sources from September 2020.
Udo Kuenzler, GLP MD, comments: “If this becomes law, it could mean extinction for theatres, concert venues and other sections of the performing arts since no tungsten fixtures and many LED-based entertainment fixtures don’t appear to meet these requirements.
“GLP stands for the responsible use of energy and the resources of our planet. However, it is not very helpful do this on flat-rate regulations as provided for in the current EU working paper. Therefore, we advoca

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UK - PLASA Focus Leeds celebrated its 10th anniversary with a sold-out show floor, a programme of compelling content, and the unmistakeable buzz of business in the air. Exhibitors represented each corner of the industry, with household names sharing the stage with newcomers.
“We’ve had a great experience at PLASA Focus Leeds,” says Rob Moore from Chauvet Professional. “We’ve seen a varied selection of visitors from across the board; everyone from end-users, lighting designers and engineers to specifiers and influencers. We’ve seen lots of new faces, too.”
Inesh Patel from Sennheiser concurs: “PLASA Focus Leeds is brilliant - it has been non-stop, so much so that my voice is going from talking too much! The event is valuable as we get in front of the right people, meeting key end users and important dealers.”
First-time exhibitor Glyn Harries fro

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UK - EM Acoustics chose PLASA Focus Leeds for the first ever showing of the latest addition to its EMS Series loudspeakers - the ultra-compact EMS-41.
The most bijou EMS Series loudspeaker yet according to the manufacturer, the EMS-41 is designed for a variety of nearfield monitoring and background music applications, particularly where a compact, discreet solution is required for intelligible audio distribution over wide areas. It’s also ideal for theatrical spot effects, fill, delay as well as background sound or indeed corporate and AV use. Thanks to its space-saving coaxial design, high SPL capability, extremely compact dimensions and sober appearance, EMS-41 blends easily into any environment.
“The EMS Series is quite simply our best-selling range ever,” says EM Acoustic operations director Mike Wheeler. “Featuring our signature passive crossover design,

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USA - Upon the opening of the world's largest architectural and commercial lighting trade show, Altman Lighting will be at Lightfair 2018 in booth 3922 inside McCormick Place, Chicago, on 8-10 May.
In preparation for their showcase of innovative architectural and commercial lighting solutions, Altman Lighting will be highlighting the power and performance capabilities of their Gallery LED series, Chalice LED downlights, and the popular Spectra Cyc wall wash family of LED luminaires.
“With so many talented architectural and commercial lighting professionals all gathered at one time, Lightfair is a significant opportunity for us to demonstrate the innovation behind our lighting solutions,” said Nick Champion, Altman Lighting vice president of North American Sales. “It is amazing to see how the technology behind the industry has grown over the last several years, a

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UK - Since their formation in 2017, Lights Control Rigging (LCR) has supplied kit for many high-profile tours and artists ranging from Ed Sheeran and Dizzee Rascal to rising stars such as Wolf Alice and Sundara Karma.
“At the moment we seem to be sending out equipment for a different tour every week,” says LCR director, Mike Oates. “The key is being able to work with the artists, their lighting designers and make sure we have the right, high quality equipment available at the right time. We work closely with A.C. Entertainment Technologies (AC-ET), who supply much of the equipment we hold in rental stock.”
Recent purchases from AC-ET have included Chroma-Q Color Force II Battens, Luminex networking equipment and ProLights static lights. LCR also sources many of their consumables and specialised cables from AC-ET - cabling being supplied under the Tourflex Cab

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USA - Arizona’s famed Valley of the Sun is located in a desert, but from 11-15 April, this hot, dry landscape was shaking with thunder, not the meteorological kind, but the rolling four-stroke variety, as over 70,000 motorcyclists from every corner of North America, descended on the area for the 22nd annual Arizona Bike Week.
At the end of each day, after all the charity rides and swap meets were over, most bikers said goodnight (temporarily) to their Hogs, Blackbirds and Hurricanes and headed off to the event’s fairground concert venue to see multi-platinum headliners like ZZ Top, Shinedown, Collective Soul and Chevelle.
Supporting these performances with some potent hard-driving looks was a flexible festival rig supplied by Creative BackStage that featured Chauvet Professional Maverick, Rogue and STRIKE 4 fixtures. Designed to create maximum impact with plenty o

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UK - Established 20 years ago and set in the heart of rural Essex, the Magic Mushroom restaurant offers contemporary fine dining in relaxed modern surroundings. A recent extension and upgrade has added high quality audio, thanks to Yamaha loudspeakers and amplifiers.
With a growing number of customers, for 2018 Magic Mushroom’s owner decided that an extension to the restaurant was needed, along with a new sound system. The restaurant prides itself on sourcing its products locally and has continued this ethos with the new audio system, approaching technical production company Spotlight Sound - based in nearby Chelmsford - to specify and install it.
The new extension is designed to allow certain parts of the restaurant to be closed off for private functions and exclusive dining for larger parties. This meant that the new audio system needed to work in different ways, a

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France - French band Shaka Ponk is touring through 2018 with a rig that includes flexible lighting pods full of Elation Rayzor 360Z LED fixtures, as well as Elation’s new narrow-beam DARTZ 360 LED moving head.
Lighting design is by Alexandre Bucher of the 4eleven company, who has worked with Shaka Ponk for seven years as a lighting and video programmer and has toured with the band several times. The current MonkAdelic tour is his first as lighting designer. The LD, who also serves as lighting director on the tour, works with a set rich in scenery and detail with accompanying video show. Bucher uses lighting to add another layer of dynamism to the set while accentuating the on-screen visuals and has integrated the two Elation LED source luminaires in his design in large numbers.
Compact Rayzor 360Z fixtures, high-speed LED beam/wash luminaires with zoom, are l

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Sweden - Philips Lighting played a central role in the lighting for Melodifestivalen 2018, the popular television series in which Sweden's entry to the Eurovision Song Contest is selected annually.
The VL6000 Beam, from the Philips Entertainment Lighting portfolio, was chosen by award-winning lighting designer Fredrik Jönsson, one of Europe's leading experts in lighting entertainment events for television. Jönsson has been responsible for lighting Melodifestivalen since 2002, and has also lit the Eurovision finals on two occasions, in 2013 and 2016.
For Melodifestivalen 2018, Jönsson selected the Philips VL6000 Beam luminaire to fill a specific role in his lighting design. He says, "The set designer created a kind of radio mast set-piece, suspended just above the sweet-spot on stage, so we needed some kind of big, beamy lighting instrument that
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