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26 September 2025

Europe - Follow-Me has played a crucial role in the lighting design for Diana Ross's Sacred Memories Tour with its Follow-Me 3D system. The spectacular production saw the artist accompanied by a grand symphony orchestra during her summer 2025 appearances in the UK and Europe, with performances featuring classic hits across prestigious arena venues.

The tour presented technical challenges, requiring a lighting design that could complement both the intimate connection between Diana Ross and her fans, while delivering the production values expected from such a performer.

The production team created a concept for arena touring that would feature enhanced production design, integrated video and scenic elements, and would accommodate a full symphony orchestra. Lighting designer Ben M Rogers, working alongside David Horner of Visual Connection, cho

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26 September 2025

USA - For her first-ever arena tour, Grammy-winning artist Kali Uchis wanted to give fans not only a visually stunning show, but also an intimate and immersive sonic experience. To meet the challenge, Sound Image, a Clair Global brand, partnered with Uchis’ touring crew to design a JBL Professional VTX loudspeaker system that delivered clarity, impact and consistency across large-scale venues.

The jump to a full-scale arena tour marked a significant leap of faith for Uchis and her longtime FOH engineer Danny Muñoz, who had guided her sound since her earliest club performances. To meet the scale of these venues, Sound Image deployed a powerful JBL Professional system comprising of 72 VTX A12 line array loudspeakers, 52 VTX A8 loudspeakers for 270-degree hangs and front-fills, 24 flown VTX S28 subwoofers, and 16 ground-stacked VTX B28 subwoofers. Power was

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26 September 2025

Czech Republic - L-Acoustics L-ISA Immersive Hyperreal Sound technology was deployed by Czech certified partner Pro Music across two sold-out nights at Prague's O₂ Arena this May. The sound supplier was Pink Panther, a major Czech touring company and L-Acoustics K2 partner. Queenie Relived: The Philharmonic delivered sonic integration to 30,000 fans.

Since 2006, Queenie have earned international recognition for their uncompromising authenticity, performing more than 1,400 concerts worldwide, including seven previous sold-out O₂ Arena shows, appearances at the Montreux Jazz Festival, and even Queen Elizabeth II’s official celebration. But collaborating with the Janáček Philharmonic Ostrava presented their biggest technical challenge yet.

"Traditional stereo reinforcement would have forced us to choose either the orchestra gets buried under the

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26 September 2025

Hungary - This summer, Hungary’s much-loved Bánkitó Festival signed off with HK Audio at its side. The alternative gathering - long celebrated for blending music, art, and activism - closed its 16-year run between 9-13 July at Lake Bánk, leaving audiences with memorable performances powered by the Cosmo line array system.

Bánkitó has stood out for its eclectic lineup ever since its beginnings, with this year featuring Csaknekedkislány, Carson Coma, 30Y, Co Lee and Sisi. The main stage featured Hungary’s first and largest Cosmo deployment; combining C10 and C6 modules in a mixed array, supported by HK Audio subs, to deliver clean, even coverage across the unique site.

“Cosmo works out of the box really well and we fine-tuned things together with Event Studio and Eurhythmics in just under half an hour,” says Karel Noon, application suppor

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25 September 2025

Turkey - Martin Audio has appointed Istanbul-based Republik Pro AVL as its new Turkish distributor, with immediate effect.

Set up earlier this year, one of the founders, Kemal ‘Kal’ Yener, said that the aim of Republik was “to bring real, brand-focused distribution back to the Turkish pro-audio market”. He continued: “We work only as a distributor - there is no integration arm - so our partners know we don’t compete with them on projects.”

The company already represents several high-premium pro-audio brands, Martin Audio being the latest addition to an impressive stable, initially driven by Kal Yener’s long relationship with David McKinney from Generation AV in Singapore. “I liked the direction Generation AV was taking with the Focusrite team. At the same time, we had progressive talks with the Martin Audio team, especially Andy Duf

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25 September 2025

UK - Allen & Heath’s dLive was at the centre of Mercury Prize-shortlisted and Brit-Award-nominated Barry Can’t Swim’s headline show at All Points East in Victoria Park, London. Supplied by Patchwork London, the audio package covered front-of-house and monitors, with a fully networked system providing flexibility and seamless integration across all positions.

At FOH, engineer Greg Smart mixed on a dLive DM0 MixRack with an S5000 control surface, paired with a DX168 expander for outboard integration. Monitor engineer Jane Datony mixed the band on a DM48 MixRack and S3000 surface, with additional monitor engineer Med Rann covering the orchestra on a DM48 and dLive S5000. The audio rig for the show made the most of Allen & Heath’s extensive I/O options, with three DX168 expanders dotted across the stage.

Smart highlighted the reliability

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25 September 2025

Brazil - For years, technical staff at the Comunhão Cristã Abba, a 3,500-capacity evangelical church in southern Brazil, had been considering replacing their underperforming PA system. But when Solid State Logic’s Brazilian distribution partner introduced them to an SSL Live, they soon realised the issue wasn’t the loudspeakers - it was the mixing desk.

Now equipped with an SSL Live L200 Plus at FOH and an L100 Plus at monitors, the church has experienced a significant uplift in audio quality, clearly noticed by both the technical team and the congregation.

​Anderson Marcelino, chief engineer at Abba, had been expecting better clarity and headroom from the PA system. “But during the SSL Live demo, arranged by João Wesley Digigov - CEO of long-time AV partner JWD Audiovisual - we immediately noticed more SPL and improved system response. Bu

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25 September 2025

Sweden - Jonathan Rikner used the Chauvet Professional Colorado PXL Bar 16 when lighting Swedish hip-hop powerhouse Hov1.

“The original idea for this show was to be able to build rooms of light with emotions,” explained Rikner of NCOAB Productions. “I chose the PXL bar for this reason - it has a nice uniform light output, which really can confine a space. That was in the concept phase, later when I had the rig out for the first time, I played around with different looks and expressions. That’s when I saw that it makes a really nice effect to alternate between horizontal and vertical bars.”

After experimenting with this design concept on different Hov1 shows, Rikner rolled out a full-fledged version of his vision for Hov1’s Farewell Show at Gärdet Stockholm. The record-setting crowd of 52,236 (the previous record was held by Meta

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25 September 2025

The Netherlands - PPDS, together with colleagues at MMD Monitors and Displays, TP Vision, and AOC, have teamed up to conquer the annual Dam tot Damloop – the Netherlands' largest running event – to raise funds for international charity, the Eye Care Foundation for the second consecutive year.

Running as part of TPV Cares – a foundation that brings life-changing help and support to people in more than 200 countries and territories – members from each business unit came together on 21 September, to take part in the 10-mile (16.1km) two-city route, which started in Amsterdam and finished in Zaandam.

Joining approximately 35,000 other enthusiastic runners, the latest TPV Cares charity initiative united colleagues in supporting the Eye Care Foundation, an Amsterdam-based, not-for-profit organisation, in helping to prevent and cure avoidab

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25 September 2025

USA/Europe - The new Encore DBX from ADJ is designed to create attention-grabbing visuals for concerts, events, and productions. This IP65-rated, full-colour, twin cell audience blinder features a rear reflector illuminated by secondary RGB colour mixing LEDs, adding a distinctive background glow to the fixture’s output.

A pair of potent 150W RGBAW colour mixing LEDs provide the Encore DBX’s main light source, capable of generating an intense output of up to 11,465 lumens in a wide spectrum of colours. Each LED offers independent dimming, colour mixing, and strobing control, providing lighting designers with complete flexibility. The fixture offers variable white colour temperature control ranging from 2700K to 6500K, as well as a Tungsten Control Mode that allows the creation of classic warm white blinder effects. In addition, full colour mixing allows

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25 September 2025

UK - Optimal Audio has announced a new 8” touchscreen wall controller – ZonePad 8 – available for immediate shipment.

ZonePad 8 is a wall-mounted touchscreen controller, providing users with clear and intuitive access to the controls of up to eight zones within an Optimal Audio commercial audio system. With a vibrant 8” IPS touch display and tempered glass capacitive touch panel, ZonePad 8 offers ‘a sophisticated and user-friendly interface, providing users with the ability to operate complex audio systems effortlessly’.

ZonePad 8 enables intuitive control of source switching, volume and microphone levels, as well as triggering advanced features like routines or message playback in up to eight zones. Advanced device configuration settings give access to individual zones and permission settings over the functions available to each zone, ma

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25 September 2025

APAC - AtlasIED has announced the appointment of Glenn Lin as director of sales, APAC, strengthening the company’s commitment to supporting partners and expanding its presence throughout the APAC region.

With over 20 years of experience in business development and sales across the APAC region, his career has focused on expanding market presence, building distributor networks, and strengthening B2B relationships. Lin will report directly to Matt Czyzewski, the executive vice-president of AtlasIED.

"The APAC region is a crucial area for growth for AtlasIED, and Glenn's leadership will be vital in strengthening relationships and expanding opportunities in these diverse markets," stated Czyzewski. "His extensive knowledge of the region, combined with a proven record of success, makes him an ideal candidate for this role."

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24 September 2025

Ecuador - Automotive manufacturer Kia has opened Kia E-Ground in Quito, its first experience centre for sustainable mobility solutions in Latin America. At the heart of this space is an immersive installation designed and integrated by Ecuadorian company Skyluft, which relies on Christie GS Series 1DLP laser projectors to deliver realistic visuals across curved and interactive surfaces.

Covering 1,400sq.m, Kia E-Ground is fully self-sustainable. Its mission is to inspire both the region and the world to move towards a greener future. The permanent exhibition combines innovation and nature to help visitors connect with the importance of sustainability.

The centrepiece is a 27sq.m helical tunnel inspired by the Fibonacci sequence, a mathematical pattern that reflects how life unfolds in nature, visible in flower buds, seashells, and galaxies. Inside, v

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24 September 2025

Sweden - Located some 640km north of the Swedish capital and known as the City of Birches, Umeå in north-eastern Sweden is famous for its museums and cultural institutions, and also as the home of two universities.

The local population swells considerably when more than 36,000 students return after the summer break and this year, new students were welcomed by Sommarfesten, a two-day festival staged by local promoters Festverket AB.

The line-up of popular Scandinavian artists included Swedish band LOV1 and rappers Tjuvjakt, along with Norwegian duo Søte og Rare Gutter and singer Fjellrev, performing on a stage rigged with a Nexo Geo M12 sound system by technical services company LLV Nordic who made the trip from the nearby city of Skellefteå.

The system comprised left and right hangs of six Nexo Geo M12 with eight Nexo MSUB18 on the ground

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24 September 2025

Greece - Petros Iakovidis performed at the Oinoforos Estate’s music festival in Mytilene on the Adriatic Coast as part of the singer and multi-instrumentalist’s 2025 summer tour.

The deeply evocative and ever-changing lighting design was by Konstantinos Ntovas and ran on a ChamSys MagicQ MQ250M Stadium console.

“My intention was to enrich the overall setup by adding LED screen columns and playing with both the height and the depth of the stage,” said Konstantinos, who configured his stage on three levels that had half-metre columns varying in height (1.6, 1.8 and 2 metres).

“Each of my columns was positioned slightly in front of the other, creating a layered effect,” he explained. “The content that ran on them was quite dynamic - things like descending lighting effects, particle lines, and other visuals that complemented the ene

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24 September 2025

Japan - With systems integration and support from long-time Clear-Com partner Matsuda Trading Co (MTC), Nagoya Broadcasting Network (NBN, also known as Me-Tele) has adopted the FreeSpeak II Digital Wireless Intercom System for its Studio A facility, further expanding its investment in Clear-Com’s IP-based intercom solutions.

Studio A, a principal 320sq.m production studio inside Nagoya Broadcasting Network’s modern headquarters, serves as a flexible space for mid- to large-scale programming, including news segments, variety shows, and other studio-recorded content.

NBN first standardised on Clear-Com’s Eclipse HX Digital Matrix system in 2019, incorporating E-IPA interface cards and Agent-IC mobile apps across its broadcast operations. The station later upgraded two OB vans with FreeSpeak II, where it received high marks from production teams f

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24 September 2025

Slovenia - The national television broadcaster RTV Slovenia recently completed a major studio lighting upgrade, installing Elation KL Series fixtures in its newly redesigned Studio 3 in Ljubljana. The project marks a milestone for Elation’s presence in the Slovenian broadcast market.

The installation, delivered by Elation’s local distribution partner Sync AV earlier in the year and integrated by KSL Sound and Light Studio, includes 24 KL Panel LED softlights and 29 pole-operated KL Fresnel 6 CW PO LED wash lights.

To ensure the best possible match for the broadcaster’s needs, Sync AV presented the Elation products in live demos and competitive shootouts, testing them directly in the studio environment.

Sync provided Elation units for extended on-site testing, allowing the broadcaster to experience their output, versatility, and build fi

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24 September 2025

Norway - Known as Norway’s Fairytale Park, Hunderfossen is an award-winning tourist destination, welcoming more than 250,000 visitors each summer with over 60 family attractions. The park recently unveiled its newest adventure, Musikkfabrikken (The Music Factory), an interactive exploration of classical music that blends visual art, animated characters, and a sound system powered by Genelec Smart IP loudspeakers.

Housed in an unused 4D cinema, Musikkfabrikken was developed by Sigurd Slåttebrekk, a Norwegian classical pianist and professor of piano – who worked with Hunderfossen and the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra – to make classical music more accessible and exciting for adults and children alike.

Norwegian integrator, Bravo, was tasked with finding a sound system capable of delivering an exciting yet comfortable mus

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24 September 2025

South Africa - PartyBros, a company founded in 2022 by brothers Emil and Etienne van Heerden, has recently launched its corporate division, EVH Events. Building on their experience in the events industry, EVH focuses on delivering high-end solutions for large-scale and corporate events.

The company has invested in an Absen NT3.9W LED screen consisting of 120 panels, Prolyte trussing for structural support, and ADJ Focus Beam and Focus Flex units from DWR Distribution.

Emil is the older brother, and directly after school, he took a gap year. Then COVID hit. “We went on another gap year together - Etienne’s first and my second - and travelled to Nepal for three months,” says Emil. “When we came back, we considered studying, but everything was online, so we didn’t see the point of studying from home.”

“My dad asked me if I wanted t

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24 September 2025

UAE - Assistive listening manufacturer, Contacta, has supplied more than 500 of its hearing loop systems for a major project to enhance hearing accessibility at Dubai International (DXB). The 520 systems have been installed throughout the airport's three terminals by Contacta's regional GCC partner, Topland.

Work on the project has been ongoing since 2023 and forms part of the airport’s ambition to ensure that every passenger experiences accessible and inclusive travel. It is also in line with Dubai’s Universal Design Code which aims to ensure buildings and transportation are accessible to everyone according to their need.

Interaction points including information desks, check-in counters, shops, lounges, food outlets, and money exchange counters, across terminals one, two and three had to be surveyed by Topland’s engineers and, together with th