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Latvia - Latvia was in full swing from 26 June to 6 July, with the XXIII Latvian Song and Dance Festival 2003. The Song Festival, which lasts for 11 days, is held every five years and is incorporated into various venues - including the Skonto Stadium and Mezaparks Open Air Stadium. The event featured over 30,000 participants, 300 different choirs, more than 500 dance groups, 57 brass bands, three symphonic orchestras and one chamber orchestra as well as an art exhibition, parades, singing and dance performances. All equipment was provided by Company NA, the Vari*Lite dealer for Latvia.

Before the festival began, Company NA was on site to plan crew logistics, and to supply the lighting equipment from cables to control systems, to both the venues. Over 12,000 people gathered in the

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UK - Adam Hall, the UK distributor of US made 'SKB' cases, has recently supplied top UK production duo 'Mint Royale' with an SKB Mini Gig-Rig, Rotoroller and various SKB rack accessories to join 'Mint Royale' on their current international tour.

Mint Royale's Chris Baker approached Adam Hall as an SKB user for many years and specifically wanted SKB cases to complete their live set-up because of superior build quality, weight and strength. The Mini Gig-Rig and Rotoroller is being used to house Chris's mixing console, hard disc and various outboard equipment. Mint Royale have already used their SKB kit at events including Glastonbury, T in the Park and Wakestock and are taking in other events such as Creamfields, V2003 and European Festivals such as Lowlands in Holland and Pukkelpop in Belgium.

(Lee Baldock)

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UK - Slough-based lighting and sound sales company Stagetec, the UK distributor for Compulite and LSC lighting products will have a number of new products lined up for the PLASA Show this year, including the company's showpiece new product - Compulite's Vector family of lighting consoles. The Compulite Rave is also highlighted, as well as the Spark Top.

New from LSC is the Minim lighting desk, a budget-priced 12/24-channel memory desk, shown alongside their MaXim series of fader-based lighting consoles. Dimmers will include Compulite's powerful CompuRACK digital dimmer racks and their CompuDIM and MobileDIM modular racks. Dmmers from LSC include the iPRO installation dimmer range, the e1220 and the ePAK and ePRO ranges, plus their Delta power distribution units.

Stagetec can be found on stand E40.

(Lee Baldock)

featured content

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 - Yamaha has increased its PA speaker line-up with the introduction of six models in the completely new Yamaha E (European) series. Built specifically for the demanding European market, the new E series speakers will be positioned to replace the familiar SE series of American speakers. With their proven rugged carpet finish, high quality Yamaha build standards, steel carry handles and lightweight design, the SE series have become a popular model for the price conscious market. The new E series builds on this success, but now offer Speakon connections and a greater frequency response within the top end.

Peter Peck, marketing manager for music production at Yamaha-Kemble, said: "Ideally matched with our new Yamaha P series power amps or EMX powered mixers, the E series is ideal for applications where high quality sound, yet competitive pricing, are required. The Yamaha Pro

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UK - The Bloody Sunday Inquiry into the events which resulted in the loss of 13 civilian lives in Derry on the 30 January 1972, has been one of the most heated and emotive public inquiries of all time. The inquiry, which commenced in Derry in July 1998 and incorporated state-of-the-art virtual reality technology, which won the ICL (Fujitsu Services) Society for Computers and Law IT award in 2001, moved to London in July 2002.

Strabane-based audio consultant, Michael Kielty of MK Audio, who supplied AKG microphones for this inquiry, explained that the most awkward audio problem faced by the inquiry was that some witnesses - as in many courtroom scenarios - were showing a tendency to mutter their answers and statements, in such a way that they were virtually inaudible over the sound reinforcement system. This therefore called for microphones, which were sensitive and clear enough

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Europe / N. America - Touring for the first time in five years, R.E.M. have again come up with an event both visually stunning and musically superb. R.E.M. lighting designer Willie Williams has created a spectacular visual experience on a stage that is awash with vibrant colours. The elaborate stage is highlighted with whimsical shapes created from EncapSulite fixtures, including the word 'LUV' as well as graphic panels featuring stylized portraits of the band's members.

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USA - Baltimore's recent Artscape 2003 Festival of the Arts was a colourful event, utilizing High End Systems equipment to provide the creative palette. Cannon Stage Lighting supplied six Studio Spot 575 and eight Cyberlight Litho automated luminaires, and two Wholehog III lighting consoles for the weekend event.

George Cannon Jr, owner of Cannon Stage Lighting, commented: "We brought in two Hog III units. One was to be a backup only. Programmers Zach Edwards and Paul Rosinksy would switch back and forth laying out conventionals on one desk and intelligent lighting on the other."

Programmer Paul Rosinksy elaborates: "My reaction to the Hog III desk was very positive. The colour picker for all my colour-mixing Cyberlight and Studio Colors made things go so much faster. I also noticed that all the internal cues in the lights moved a good bit faster than on other d

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UK - A busy 2003 sees Fourth Phase expanding its project management team with the addition of Alistair Smyth as project manager, who joins from High End/Flying Pig, where for the past nine months he had been sales account manager for Central and Eastern Europe.

Previously a technical support engineer for the company for over two years, Alistair had also fulfilled the same role for two years at Vari-Lite. His technical knowledge and overseas experience will prove invaluable to Fourth Phase, as the company adds the Madrid production of We Will Rock You to its portfolio. Smyth will join the existing project management team of James Hall and Simon Harborow.

(Ruth Rossington)

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UK - For the fourth year running, drapes and rigging specialist Blackout was appointed by Henley Festival's production team to supply an extensive amount of black drape and custom sewn starcloth for the 20th edition of The Henley Festival of Music and the Arts.

Staged on the banks of the Thames, the five-day Festival is recognized for fusing an eclectic mix of music and art and follows on from the legendary Henley Regatta. Comprising two main stages - the 'Floating Stage' where world class performances included Lesley Garret, Bryn Terfel, Sir Tim Rice and the 'Club Marquee', where artists included The Fine Young Cannibals and Mel C. Working closely with production manager Bob Caple, Blackout supplied all the blackout drapes and necessary rigging equipment to facilitate the dramatic set-design on the famous Floating Stage - a giant Edwin Shirley structure measuring 20m wide by 8

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UK - DHA Lighting, the leading manufacturer of gobos and optical effects, has announced that the company - or at least some of it - is on the move. From Friday 29 August 2003, DHA's manufacturing, production and despatch teams will move from DHA's current base in central London to a new base in Crayford, Kent.

The new contact numbers for staff in Crayford, including UK and Eire sales manager Louise Tester, Asia and Pacific sales manager Julie Harper and production manager Karen Simkins, will be +44 (0)1322 520052. The new fax number will be +44 (0)1322 520055. Email and web addresses remain unchanged.

"The move of our operations and production teams to Crayford has been in the planning stage for some time, as part of our ongoing work to make the company more efficient." comments DHA Lighting's managing director, Diane Grant. "Our customers are already seeing the

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UK - Advanced systems solutions provider, beyerdynamic GB, is set to present its diverse, yet complementary range of manufactured and distributed products at PLASA. The focus will be towards showcasing integrated application-led solutions for the installation and contracting markets.

In addition to its extensive range of headphones and microphones, beyerdynamic will present a new range of Opus wireless radio microphones - the 300, 500MKII and 800 systems. The new Opus range benefits from an advanced Auto Scan/ACT function, exceptionally wide frequency response and up to 16 channels, which can be operated simultaneously.

As a new addition to beyerdynamic's distribution range, Bittner amplifiers will be showcased from Slovakian manufacturer, Bittner Audio. An expansive range of high specification amplification products which complement beyerdynamic's range of speakers and DSP ba

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UK - Former Martin Professional employee Simon Allan has rejoined the company as product manager for the stage, studio and event segment, which includes Martin's popular MAC range of moving heads. Allan's responsibilities will also cover Martin's growing range of lighting controllers, including the newly-released Maxxyz lighting console.

Simon has 10 years of experience in the lighting industry and returns to Martin UK after three years as technical manager at moving light rental company Set Lighting & Sound. Prior to that he was employed at Martin UK as a technical support engineer, working on various on-site projects, as well as conducting training courses and helping to run the Martin University.

(Ruth Rossington)

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UK - Allen & Heath mixers were used during the fourth annual Wakestock festival, which took place last month in North Wales. With an increased capacity of 10,000 visitors and three arenas of top DJs and bands, Wakestock has become Europe's largest wakeboard music event.

VME Ltd supplied all the technical requirements, including Kling & Freitag speakers, lab.gruppen amplifiers, Martin Professional lighting and a cross-section of Allen & Heath's top-end consoles and DJ mixers. The event hosted live band acts such as Wheatus, Inme, Athlete and Mint Royale, and DJs including Norman Jay, John 00 Fleming, Judge Jules and Eddie Halliwell.

Allen & Heath's ML5000 and ML4000 live sound VCA consoles were used for FOH and monitors, while the Xone:62 and Xone:V6 club mixers were supplied for DJ events over the weekend.

(Ruth Rossington)

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UK - The Renkus-Heinz PNX102 line array system, launched at Frankfurt ProLight+Sound 2003, made its European debut this month with shows in Hertfordshire and London. The first UK show was a classical concert in aid of charity at Great Nast Hyde House near Hatfield, Hertfordshire, mixed by renowned classical engineer Ian Barfoot.

The concert featured the 50-piece London Sinfonia orchestra and leading European soloist Tasmin Little, and was performed on a 10m by 8m Star Hire demountable stage with audio production by Pearce Hire. The audience area measured some 80m by 80m and the weather was very warm and calm, perfect for this type of show. In control were a Spirit 328 with two expansion modules, Lexicon PCM80 and Yamaha S-REV1 effects and BSS Varicurve EQ. Microphones were a mixture of AKG 451, Oktava 012 and a pair of Schoeps for Tasmin Little, along with a selection of AKG and

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UK - When David Azouri opened his first restaurant in Willesden Green specializing in Middle Eastern cuisine, Shish became an immediate and resounding success. The concept is to serve fresh, authentic Middle Eastern dishes in a modern environment, or if drinking rather than eating is the order of the day, there is also a classy cocktail bar where customers can choose from a vast array of original cocktails, accompanied by a selection of mezze dishes. The concept has proved so successful that Azouri has recently opened a second unit in the increasingly trendy area of Hoxton in London, and turned to installation specialist Sound Division to specify and supply the audio system.

Sound Division's audio design team, David Graham and Elliot Patterson, opted for a Crown-powered JBL system based primarily on JBL Control 25AV loudspeakers. "As is the case with so many of our restaura

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UK - Theatre sound specialist Orbital has further underlined its commitment to digital solutions, deploying one of its DiGiCo D5 mixing consoles on the UK tour of Richard Temple's rock and roll musical - Summer Holiday. Directed by Michael Gyngell, with choreography by Tony Award-winning Gillian Gregory, this much-loved British classic is destined for the West End following its Spring/Summer UK tour.

The system, designed by Orbital's Simon Whitehorn specifically to cater for the fast turnaround of provincial touring productions, centred on DiGiCo's mixing console at FOH position. Operated by Gareth Owen, the desk proved to be a highly flexible and robust design tool. Gareth explained: "Digico have really pushed boundaries with the D5 - it's been a pleasure to work with, courtesy of Orbital. There were some challenging moments, but overall the desk provides an extreme

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UK - The Leicester Haymarket and Raymond Gubbay production of Rodgers and Hart's On Your Toes previewed at the Royal Festival Hall earlier this week. Directed by Paul Kerryson, it stars and is choreographed by ballet dancer Adam Cooper. The other cast principals are Sarah Wildor, Kathryn Evans and Irek Mukhamedov.

Having previously worked with production manager Graham Lister on Copacabana and the Leicester Haymarket production of On Your Toes, Stage Technologies was again asked to provide the control solution. This time round, the London production required additional scenic effects and with The Royal Festival Hall, most frequently used for music concerts, having no grid, the venue had the potential for a challenging fit up.

Stage Technologies' supply consisted of eight sliding tracks (including back wall sliders), two flown ballet bars, Stage Technologie

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Japan - Japanese sound company Tokyo Onkyo Tsushin Kenkyusho Ltd (a.k.a. Onken) has taken delivery of a large number of power amplifiers from Lab.gruppen - no less than 132 units of Lab.gruppen's flagship model fP 6400. Each fP 6400 can supply up to 6,400W at a weight of only 10kg (22lbs) per unit, the complete package could produce a total output power of close to 850,000W!

Onken, one of the leading sound providers in Japan, will divide the order between its warehouses in Tokyo and Osaka. The Lab.gruppen fP 6400s will be driving the McCauley Monarc MLA5 line array system that was purchased at the same time. The equipment will be used in varying set-ups, mainly on tours and at large-scale events.

Kiyoshi Yamaki, sales manager of Lab.gruppen's local distributor MTC Japan, said that Onken had always been impressed with the sonic performance of Lab.gruppen amplifiers, adding that

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USA - The legendary heavy metal group Metallica is currently making their way through this years' Summer Sanitarium Tour, with support from Limp Bizkit, Linkin Park, Deftones and Mudvayne. Metallica also teamed up with Upstaging and Tomcat USA to tour in style. The two companies came together to provide top notch equipment for the mother of all metal bands. Besides the 26 sections of medium duty, 1 section of heavy duty pre-rig truss, and various corner blocks, Tomcat provided 27 10ft sections and 17 8ft sections of the EDDY Award-winning Swing Wing Truss.

Metallica kicked off the tour in San Francisco on 18 May and will continue across the world. Heavily promoting their new album 'St. Anger', the tour covers Europe, America, South America and Japan, before ending on 1 February 2004 in Australia.

(Lee Baldock)

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UK - XL Video just experienced one of its busiest weekends yet, supplying over 500sq.m of LED screens to five very diverse events.

For Robbie Williams at Knebworth, XL Video UK supplied four extra delay screens - a mix of Barco and Saco - allowing over 125,000 people per night to at least get to see some of Williams' impressive show. This was in addition to supplying the Williams' 'Escapology' European tour with the spectacular 448-tile Barco D10 LED moving screen. This measures 13.4m x 7.7m, when configured as a 16:9 ratio solid block, and splits into eight columns and tracks downstage to upstage. Each column also rotates 360° and rises and falls in the vertical plane. Side screens for the event were two 45sq.m Saco 15mm flown in portrait. The live video director for the event was Ruary MacPhie, who utilized six of XL's new Sony E10 broadcast cameras, mixing from XL's OB truck

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UK - DPL Production Lighting is supplying lighting, trussing and drapes to Cranborn House Productions for a series of summer classical/jazz events, taking place across several weekends and various heritage sites around the country.

The most recent event took place at Audley End in Cambridgeshire, one of the finest Jacobean houses in England, which provided an impressive backdrop to the 60ft Orbit stage and drew over 5,000 people each night. The 17th century mansion was lit by DPL's Darren Parker and his team using six Studio Due City Color architectural wash luminaires. They also highlighted the trees either side of stage with blue and green metal halide fixtures.

For the event at which Jools Holland's appeared - undoubtedly the highest profile show of the run - DPL, sound contractor RG Jones and other production departments (including Aggreko generators), battled with the mo

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