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16 October 2025

The Netherlands - On 9 August 2025, the summer edition of Lakedance took place in Best - a festival that has become a staple in the Dutch event calendar. With around 20,000 to 25,000 visitors, the lakeside venue was filled with sunshine, music, and a ‘meticulously crafted production’ with products from Showtec and Infinity.

Organiser First Vision created the atmosphere, thanks in no small part to the creative and technical partners who left their mark behind the scenes. The creative concept was led by Lastblast B.V. from Eindhoven. They were responsible not only for the festival’s visual identity, but also composed the music for the closing show and produced the intros that set the tone for the event.

Stage design was handled by Roxxi, while lighting design came from Koen van Elderen of Maoss. Technical execution and equipment were pro

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16 October 2025

Germany - Nexo has announced the appointment of Dirk Cervenka as sales manager for Northern Germany with responsibilities for supporting Nexo partners and dealers and developing Nexo’s business in the area.

Dirk will work alongside the longstanding Southern Germany sales manager Reinhard Steiger, with Nexo defining the line between the two territories as the southern border of North Rhine-Westphalia.

Dirk brings more than 25 years of pro audio experience to the role, initially in music recording and production, then AV technology distribution and, latterly, as national sales manager for another well-known European loudspeaker manufacturer.

“Nexo is strongly focused on bringing high-value, high-performance sound solutions to each of the market sectors it serves, and the talent and enthusiasm of the team combined with the quality and innova

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16 October 2025

USA - Austin PBS has recently upgraded its facility-wide communications infrastructure, deploying Clear-Com’s Eclipse HX, FreeSpeak II beltpacks, and V-Series panels to support productions across its three studios and offices. The project was designed and implemented in collaboration with Key Code Media, Austin PBS’s systems integrator, who helped ensure the new facility had solutions tailored to the station’s workflow needs.

For Chris Ostertag, chief technology officer at Austin PBS, the upgrade is the culmination of 12 years of hands-on experience in post-production, sound design, and engineering. “When I started here, I built shared storage from scratch and realised there was more stability and reliability to gain on the engineering side,” Ostertag said. “This system allows us to scale rapidly for any type of production, from small documentary

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16 October 2025

USA - Nebraska-based Omaha Performing Arts (O-pa) continues to invest in Ayrton lighting fixtures for its venues with the new Tenaska Centre for Arts Engagement due to install Argo 6 FX fixtures and Diablo profiles before its grand opening in March 2026.

Previously, Steelhouse Omaha and The Holland Performing Arts Centre purchased Eurus, Karif LT and Zonda 9 FX fixtures for their spaces. All of the facilities are part of the Dick & Mary Holland Campus, which is centrally located in downtown Omaha. The campus offers a wide spectrum of performing arts experiences and shows and hosts a broad range of education and engagement programmes for the community.

“By staying consistent with Ayrton fixtures across the buildings we’ve gained cross-use, backup and a lot of flexibility,” says Ryan Murray, associate vice president of operations at O-pa. 

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16 October 2025

Europe - APG’S new Uniline Max made its debut across France and Spain this summer, powering events and concerts covering a broad spread of music.

The Place aux Artistes Festival in Albi, southern France welcomed over 60,000 spectators to 40+ concerts spread across the town’s historic and cultural sites.

Behind the audio design stood DHT Audio, the rental and staging company directed by Damien Granier, who chose a 100 % APG setup for the entire event - from intimate riverbank performances to large-scale open-air shows on the Place du Vigan.

On the main stage, where tributes to artists such as Queen, Tina Turner and Jean-Jacques Goldman drew crowds of up to 5,000 people, DHT Audio deployed an optimised Uniline Max configuration, comprising six UM210 line array speakers and four UM121 subs per side, complemented by SPOT 2.6 point-so

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16 October 2025

USA - Evoking the spirit of a 1920s speakeasy hidden within the The Venetian Casino, Las Vegas, 1923 sets the stage for live jazz and soft swing. Integrator DesignO’s Emaan selected an Optimal Audio ecosystem to deliver the requirement for “warm and full-bodied sound” suited to the room’s timeless allure.

Reflecting its flexible layout, the venue was divided into multiple audio zones. An enclosed private room hosts magic shows and intimate gatherings, with its own dedicated audio. The large central hall can be subdivided with curtains to create smaller, more intimate areas, while the lobby and additional side sections operate independently when required.

The audio system comprised a total of 12 Optimal Audio Up ceiling speakers accessorised as pendent speakers in black, to provide even ambient coverage across ceilings, using 110° conical dis

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15 October 2025

UK - Brompton Technology has been selected by Universal Pixels to deliver the visuals on Robbie Williams’ Britpop Tour 2025. The 14th concert tour by the English singer-songwriter marks Williams’ return to stadiums and major outdoor venues in support of his upcoming 13th studio album. With creative direction by Kim Gavin, the show’s design features 14 seamlessly integrated LED screens, brought together using Brompton’s LED processing to create a unified visual canvas.

“Brompton is tried and tested for us,” comments Matthew Morris, technical specialist at Universal Pixels. “We’ve relied on its Tessera processors across many touring shows over the years, so the technology was familiar to us and the crew, delivered great reliability, and came with excellent support. For a large-scale and high-profile tour like this, Brompton was the nat

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15 October 2025

China - Opened earlier this year, Bottle Live Club in the city of Chengdu has quickly become a magnet for diverse audiences. Situated in the city’s Jinjiang District, the club is in the heart of Chengdu’s commercial, cultural, and entertainment life. A varied programme of live music from large-scale ensembles, solo artists, bands, and DJ sets, demanded an appropriate sound system.

Bottle Live Club’s investors, a group which also manages the city’s Playhouse venue, engaged ST Audio to design and supply a high quality and robust solution for this challenging venue. The club covers a total area of more than 7500sq.m, with a main hall of more than 900sq.m and a ceiling height of 22m.

Since its establishment in 2012 ST Audio has operated as a distributor and integrator in mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macao, specialising in delivering comprehensi

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15 October 2025

UK - IPS (Impact Production Services) has announced a major investment in 100 Claypaky Ultimo Sharpy fixtures, creating the largest UK rental stock of the beam moving head. The fixtures are available to hire now from IPS.

IPS’s investment includes the infrastructure to support the deployment of the new fixtures at scale, reinforcing its commitment to providing the latest in high impact lighting technology for the UK’s live events and entertainment industry.

“The Sharpy has always been a legendary fixture in the industry, and the Ultimo takes it to a whole new level,” says James Mason, owner & key account director at IPS. “By being the first in the UK to hold significant rental stock, we’re giving our clients early access to this iconic fixture, with the scale and support they need to bring ambitious creative visions to life.”

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15 October 2025

The Netherlands - Elation is excited to announce that Jacob Coakley has joined the team as marketing brand manager. In this cross-departmental role, Coakley will lead efforts to align brand messaging and execution, ensuring a cohesive brand strategy across all channels.

“Jacob’s breadth of experience in the industry makes him an invaluable addition to the Elation team,” stated Eric Loader, Elation global vice president of sales. “His role at the intersection of marketing, sales, and product development will be key in aligning our strategy and driving market messaging to support our continued growth. We look forward to the energy and insight he brings.”

Coakley has nearly 20 years of experience in marketing, communications, and editorial leadership in the entertainment and lighting industry. He joins Elation from ETC, where he contributed ac

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15 October 2025

UK - Ricky Gervais’ Mortality Tour which kicked off last year and runs through the end of 2025. “We’re all going to die, may as well have a laugh about it,” Gervais said when announcing the global tour. Providing a supportive backdrop for the comic’s performance is a production designed by Rod Clay of Absorb Media, working closely with production manager, Adam Scott.

Clay is running the theatre leg of the Mortality Tour with a ChamSys MagicQ MQ70 Compact Console, along with a Compact Connect control service as his wing. “There is limited FOH space at the theatres, so the ChamSys Compact series was the obvious choice,” he explained. “The shows are always sold-out, so space is at a premium.

“Aside from saving us space and giving us a lot of power relative to its footprint, the ChamSys is easy to load in and out,” c

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15 October 2025

USA - EAW has announced the appointment of Chris Wilson as education and training engineer, reporting to vice president of sales, Mark Posgay.

“Adding value to our customers through education is central to how we support their success,” says TJ Smith, president of Eastern Acoustic Works. “Chris’ deep background in both engineering and training makes him an incredible asset, and we’re excited for the expertise and inspiration he will provide to the EAW team and community.”

In his new role at EAW, Wilson will lead both in-person and virtual product certification sessions while also developing general education trainings on audio fundamentals including system design, the physics of sound and loudspeaker technology.

Wilson brings over two decades of experience as an audio engineer, trainer and product specialist, with a career spannin

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15 October 2025

South Africa - DWR Distribution officially welcomed Epson to its product portfolio on 1 October with a launch event that combined training, live demonstrations.

Held at DWR Distribution’s premises, the event showcased the Epson HBR range, drawing attention to its flexibility and performance. Attendees had the opportunity to interact with Epson’s team, including Lee Harrison, head of video projector sales at Epson Middle East, and Izak Brand, pre-sales and technical specialist at Epson South Africa.

Lee Harrison stated, “Epson projectors continue demonstrating their huge longevity and flexibility. From using Victoria Falls as an iconic backdrop for projection to creative content displayed on buildings or other surfaces, projectors offer unmatched flexibility. Customers can stack multiple projectors to cover any eventuality - from our small compa

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15 October 2025

The Netherlands - Portlantis a new visitor and exhibition centre for the Port of Rotterdam, located at the port’s western-most point in Maasvlakte. First opened in early 2025, the educational space invites visitors to journey through the port’s 100-year history, experience the port of today, and take a glimpse into the future.

This modern, multi-use building spans five rotated spaces, catering for school trips, tourists and business meetings. To help immerse visitors in the port’s story, systems integrator Ata Tech BV and project sound designer Danny Weijermans selected Genelec’s 4410 Smart IP loudspeakers to deliver engaging sound across every floor.

Connected by a 22m-tall atrium, the three exhibit levels host their own individual displays for visitors to discover, covering the port’s history, its impact on the economy, as well as its cli

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15 October 2025

Brazil - The historic centre of Belo Horizonte was transformed into a vibrant stage of light and creativity during the 2025 edition of the Festival of Light (Festa da Luz), one of Brazil’s leading festivals of public art and technology. Among the highlights of the event was a large-scale projection on the façade of the Museum of Arts and Trades (Museu de Artes e Ofícios), which used three Christie Griffyn 4K50-RGB pure laser projectors by ON.

Now in its fourth edition, the Festival of Light has become a fixture in the cultural calendar of Minas Gerais, a state in south-eastern Brazil. Over four days, the event presented 13 light installations and 12 projection mapping works across public spaces such as Station Square (Praça da Estação), Santa Tereza Viaduct (Viaduto Santa Tereza), Sapucaí Street (Rua Sapucaí), and the Sula

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15 October 2025

Sweden - Dalhalla, an open-air amphitheatre set in the former Draggängarna limestone quarry in central Sweden, is popular for its summer seasons featuring a range of music and artists – rock and pop, musicals and sometimes opera.

The venue invested in 20 new Robe iForte moving lights, delivered for its 2025 season which has just concluded. These are a well-received technical upgrade and have been used over the summer, explained the venue’s head of technical, Anders ‘Hebbe’ Herbertzon.

The new iFortes have replaced 18 x Robe MMX Spots that had been in service since 2012. Still going strong, these are now redeployed in another venue operated by Dalhalla’s management company, Rättvik Event in nearby Falun, which runs for the winter season.

Dalhalla still has 12 of Robe’s first generation of LED theatre luminaires – DLS Profiles

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15 October 2025

Romania - Powersoft’s fixed-installation amplifiers are at the heart of the sound experience at Phoenix Riders, an equestrian sports centre in Ploiesti, an hour outside Bucharest.

Specified by integrator Audiovision, the sound is shaped for the current 20,000 m² footprint which encompasses the competition infrastructure, VIP areas, leisure spaces and training facilities for international-level athletes – but is also designed with future expansion in mind. Phoenix Riders will eventually span an area of 150,000 m², with the development plans set to add large-capacity grandstands, new competition stables, restaurants and a second outdoor arena.

“One of the key technical challenges was implementing a reliable and scalable infrastructure that would support long-term flexibility and high-performance audio distribution” says Audiovision’s Claudi

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14 October 2025

UK - As Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake continues its 30th anniversary tour, White Light (WL) is once again suppling the lighting rig for this production. Since its premiere, this reinvention of Tchaikovsky’s classic has become the most successful dance theatre production of recent times. First staged at Sadler’s Wells in 1995, it has since become the longest-running full-length dance piece in both the West End and on Broadway, earning over 30 international accolades, including Olivier and Tony Awards.

Featuring a lighting design by Paule Constable, Swan Lake continues to captivate audiences with its visual storytelling. WL ensures the lighting design is delivered ‘with precision and consistency’ across every venue.

“Touring a show of this scale is complex,” says production electrician Rich Mence. “No two days are the sam

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14 October 2025

Vietnam - Outline has signed a distribution agreement with Thang Long Audio, strengthening its presence in Southeast Asia. Founded in 2016 by Mr Viet Trung Nguyen and partners, Thang Long Audio has introduced advanced sound systems to major venues and projects nationwide.

Under this partnership, Thang Long Audio will provide technical consultancy, system design, and professional training to Outline users across Vietnam, ensuring that each project fully benefits from Outline’s technology and performance capabilities.

Mr Viet Trung Nguyen, CEO of Thang Long Audio, comments: “Our mission is to deliver world-class sound experiences in Vietnam. Partnering with Outline – globally recognised as one of the most respected names in professional audio – aligns perfectly with our goals. Together, we aim to bring new levels of performance and reliability

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14 October 2025

UK - Delta Live has made significant investments in cutting edge audio systems that have been deployed across some of the UK’s best-known live events and venues. The BBC Proms, Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and London’s Roundhouse are all beneficiaries of the company’s investment in 2025, which has seen a range of new equipment, audio systems and vital infrastructure deployed across the venues.

In May this year, Delta Live renewed its partnership with the Roundhouse in Camden to be its exclusive audio solutions supplier, and has since been overhauling the venue’s digital infrastructure, cabling, rack infrastructure, SD racks, bit cards, and PA and control systems. Key additions include two DiGiCo Quantum 326 digital mixing consoles, an L-Acoustics A-Series ground package, enhanced PA boxes, and a new microphone package that includes th