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Ireland Dublin performance venue Vicar Street recently picked up Irish Music Rights Organisation (IMRO)'s awards for the Best National Live Music Venue of the Year, Best Dublin Live Music Venue of the Year, as well as the Hot Press Readers Award for Best Live Music Venue in Ireland. The awards acknowledge the country's top concert halls assessed on general ambience, staging, lighting, and sound. Vicar Street took the spotlight at the IMRO ceremony, which took place a year after the venue upgraded to a Meyer Sound M'elodie line array loudspeaker system.

Featuring a wide, shallow design, Vicar Street can hold up to 1,300 spectators, with no seat over 44ft from the stage. In talking about the creation of the sound system, designer Paul Aungier of Dublin-based Mikam Sound admit

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Australia - TL Audio, manufacturers a range of professional valve audio products, has appointed Major Music Wholesale as exclusive distributor for Australia and New Zealand.

"Major Music couldn't be happier to welcome TL Audio into out product catalogue." Says managing director, Greg Cato. "TL Audio adds an award winning prestige range of valve audio processing solutions to our already comprehensive range of audio solutions. The TL Audio range work hand in hand with many of our existing digital recording products, offering the warmth, presence and smoothness that only high quality valve technology can give."

Sarah Yule, sales director at TL Audio adds: "We are very pleased to be working with such a respected and professional company like Major Music for our distribution in Australia. Their energy and vision will help us to enjoy a successful and exciti

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Germany - Klotz Digital has strengthened its sales team. Thomas Klotz has appointed Trevor Spielmann to the position of sales manager for Europe.

"I am pleased that Trevor has joined our sales team for which he will be a valuable asset, as he possesses the ideal combination of expertise and strong knowledge in the field of broadcast, post-production and presentation business", says Thomas Klotz. "In all ways possible, Trevor is committed to top customer service, being the lead contact person for all our European sales and service partners. His hiring strengthens our operations and arms us to better service our existing partnerships."

(Jim Evans)

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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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Ireland - The world premiere of Magick Macabre, an alternative "magic and horror" spectacular - staged by Moya Doherty and John McColgan's Riverdream Productions was staged at the Olympia Theatre, Dublin recently. OutBoard's TiMax Audio Imaging matrix dreated the appropriate soundscape.

Kevin McGing, production sound engineer for the show, called on Dublin-based MOSCO to supply and install the multi-channel sound system - including the TiMax audio imaging system - specified by Dublin-based composer, Denis Clohessy, to handle multiple on-stage and surround-sound effects localisation.

The music and effects montage, comprised of several hundred cues, was created by Denis Clohessy. The dialogue free production was entirely dependent on the soundtrack to provide the backdrop for master illusionist, Daemon Cordell, to carry out his macabre people-chopping, drilling

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USA - Dirty Dancing - The Classic Story On Stage has opened in Chicago where Lighthouse Technologies and its rental partner Sound Associates, installed 50 pieces of Lighthouse's P10 10mm LED video panels for the production. The panels have been assembled into a single LED video display, 8ft high by 20ft wide, which serves as the backdrop.

The record-breaking production is lit by 200 moving lights and includes more than 200 automation cues with surround sound. The LED video display is the centerpiece of the production - projecting true-to-life images and live video feedback of the production with frequent opening and closing to allow actors and stage props to enter and exit the stage.

Jon Driscoll, video and projection designer for Dirty Dancing says: "My reputation is built on my ability to put on a technically flawless show every night," said Driscoll.

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USA Valerio Maioli SPA was contracted to provide the lighting, CCTV, trusses and public address for the inaugural Formula One SingTel Singapore Grand Prix. The race was the first to be held at night in F1 history, with the timing of the night event enabling live broadcasts at a time convenient for European TV audiences. Over 110,000 tickets were made available for this first street race held in Asia, and a full sell-out was achieved.

For specialized audio functions in the pit building which served drivers, factory teams, race management and the global media, Electronics & Engineering Pte of Singapore worked under Valerio Maioli SPA for the supply, installation and operation of the audio systems in four main areas of the pit building, including the Media Centre, Paddock Club Suites, Press Conference Room and the Podium area.

In the main grandstand podium area, which in additio

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USA - LOUD Technologies has announced the sale of its SLM Marketplace catalogue and accessories distribution business and proprietary St. Louis Stage Gear brand, along with the Austin guitar and Knilling Instruments brands ('SLM Marketplace') to St. Louis-based U.S. Band & Orchestra Supplies. Terms of the sale were not disclosed.

"The SLM Marketplace sale, a non-core business unit and product lines, will enable LOUD to dedicate its resources and solidify its leadership positions in the musical instruments and professional audio markets. Moreover, U.S. Band & Orchestra Supplies is the ideal new owner for SLM Marketplace, Austin and Knilling, since they will ensure that our dealer network for these products will continue to receive the highest levels of service and support," commented Rodney Olson, president and CEO, LOUD Technologies.

"We are all looking forward

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USA - Ace Audio provided the sound reinforcement system for the Guitar Under The Stars event, an outdoor concert held at the Riverfront Recapture in Harford, Connecticut.

Crown I-Tech 4000's and 8000's were utilised for front of house and monitors while XTi 4000s amplifiers powered the fill speakers. "Three years ago we switched to Crown I-Tech amplifiers, and it's been a major plus for our company," stated Mike Goodreau, president of Ace Audio. "The reduced size and weight of the amps allows us to use smaller trucks and the low current draw of I-Tech helps us in smaller venues with inadequate AC power."

The Riverfront Recapture presents multiple issues as a live concert venue. "The highway runs overhead to one side and there is boat noise from the river behind the stage. Additionally, there is very limited access for trucks to unload equipment

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Canada - For Tina Turner's rock n roll tour, pyro company Pyrotek Special Effects designed a number of visual displays for the spectacular production.

Vice-president Lorenzo Cornacchia collaborated with LD Barry 'Baz' Halpin bringing a variety of effects to highlight Tina's stage presence. The implementation of the pyrotechnic designs was coordinated with Halpin throughout the four-week rehearsal period.

Pyrotechnic crew chief John Arrowsmith introduces the effects in each show, which includes everything from Dragons, Gold Flitter Mines, Red Mines with Glitter, Aqua Mines, Blue Mines as well as an all-fire cue of 20 X 20 Gerbs firing upstage concluding Tina's hit song, Her. "It's a real powerful song and we focused on adding a barrage of distinctive looks that truly highlight the heavy riffs," commented Cornacchia.

The first leg of the North America tour wil

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USA - Country Music's Biggest Night was lit by A&O Technology's xenon Falcon luminaires. Emmy Award winning lighting designer Bob Dickinson utilised 32 Falcon 6000s, six 3K Beams and six 3K Flowers for the television special which aired live from Nashville on The ABC Television Network.

A&O opened a US rental location in Spring 2008. Falcon xenon lights have been used on several major productions this year including the Superbowl Halftime Show with Tom Petty, The 2008 Grammy Awards and Dancing With The Stars.

A&O has locations in America, Europe, Middle East and Asia, and is the largest full-service provider of xenon lighting products for entertainment and architectural applications.

(Jim Evans)

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UK - Since setting up A1 Ents in Bristol 14 years ago, Paul Wiltshire has built a growing reputation among tour promoters for providing sound reinforcement in the West Country.

Such has been the growing demand for his services that he has added a JBL VRX line array system to his inventory.

"The acquisition was driven by the fact that I was getting stretched and starting to cross hire," he says. "I knew my clients would be happy with JBL."

Wiltshire has had a long acquaintance with Gareth Collyer - who handles JBL sales for JBL's UK distributor Sound Technology - and he initially arranged a demo system.

"We launched this at the Frome Festival and received great feedback," Wiltshire reports. This was followed by the Harbourside Festival in Bristol and bands including Dr. John, The Twang, The Commitments and Scouting for Girls.

A1 Ents now has

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The Netherlands - Theater Zuidplein in Rotterdam has purchased and installed eight PR Lighting XL 1200 spots from Dutch distributors, Lightco, as part of a production upgrade. They have been mounted on the fixed grid at the rear of the 590-capacity Great Hall's stage, after a journey that began at the PLASA Show in London.

Said Gerrit Schottert, who runs Lightco: "We bought them straight off the stand, checked and tested them at our facility in Utrecht and then shipped them straight to the theatre. We had already done a demo of both the XL1200 and XL700s, and the clients had conducted their own research on the internet."

For the Zuidplein there were several advantages in this approach. "Firstly, because these were demonstration models we could supply at a good price, and at the same time they had the confidence that the fixtures had already been burnt in. But mo

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UK - Coventry-based PA company, CV Audio, recently purchased an iLive system to add to its hire stock. Comprising an iDR10 mixrack - loaded with 56 inputs and 32 outputs - and an iLive-144 control surface, the digital system will replace some of the company's analogue mixers, providing an easier solution for the many concerts and festivals that CV Audio manages throughout the year.

The system debuted at the Shrewsbury Folk Festival, a four-day festival with many international acts including The Duhks; Richard Thompson, Oysterband; and Lunasa.

The iLive system was installed at FOH with a multicore and analogue split to a second iLive system - comprising an iDR10 stagerack and iLive-80 control surface - positioned on monitors. This was complemented with a flown HK line array, front-fills, subs and wedges.

"Due to the comms system, it was necessary to employ a traditional

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USA - The culmination of an arduous campaign came when President-Elect Barack Obama held his presidential acceptance speech before a home town crowd of more than 100,000 revellers.

Called upon by event producer C3 Presents to light the rally was stage lighting rental and production company Christie Lites, lighting contractor and lighting supplier for the event.

"The job was somewhat unusual to light because it was outdoors and at the same time had to be lit for TV in a manner typical of an indoor studio," commented Huntly Christie, CEO of Christie Lites Orlando. "As such, it was a real mixed bag of lighting. However, the most prominent fixture on the site was the Martin MAC 2000 Wash XB. They were instrumental in making sure that the world witnessed this historic event."

Lighting designer for the event was Bob Peterson who described the evening and his a

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UK - DiGiCo has launched a dedicated Spanish version of its website. The site mirrors the English version, giving DiGiCo's Spanish speaking customers instant access to product information, news and services in their native language.

"Although English is widely accepted as being the international standard and is appropriate for the majority of our customer base, we understand how important it is for people to be able to access information in their first language," says DiGiCo sales and marketing director, David Webster. "This is part of an ongoing process that will allow us to have even better communication with our customers around the globe."

(Jim Evans)

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UK - Touring dance troop Random Dance has launched a new touring show, Entity, headed by Royal Ballet choreographer Wayne McGregor.

A fusion of art and technology, the show features heavily on three large mechanical set-pieces with which the dancers interact. Random Dance approached Litestructures to design and manufacture these three main pieces.

The technical solution is a combination of new and established technologies. Utilising Litestructures LiteTower base and truss masts, combined with a totally custom multilink mechanical setup, creates what are effectively large aluminium 'nodding donkeys', not dissimilar to those seen in oil drilling operations.

Standing at a maximum overall height of nearly 7m and each capable of lifting a 10m wide x 2m high wooden wing weighing nearly 100kg, these pieces can be built just a couple of hours. The systems incorporate a numbe

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UK - XL Video supplied 40sq.m of Barco i6XP and 28 touring frames of Barco MiPix for the final episode of Peter Kay's TV talent show spoof Britain's Got The Pop Factor ... And Possibly A New Celebrity Jesus Christ Soapstar Superstar Strictly On Ice.

The project was managed for XL by Steve Greetham following the screen surfaces being specified for the show, recorded at Granada Studios in Manchester, by Phil Mercer. It was supplied via main lighting contractors, HSL, and co-ordinated from their side by Mike Oates.

The screens formed an integral part of Simon Kimmell's set design, for which the brief was to recreate a 'classically cliched' LE talent show look, complete with opening upstage centre screen for entrances and exits, and lots of video-driven LED elements.

The central screen comprised 14 panels wide by six high of Barco i6XP LED which split apart vertically and

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UK - The Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Games dominated the second SportBusiness Sports Event Management Awards, presented at a gala dinner in London on the 12 November 2008.

Creative Technology received a Gold Award for its contribution to the spectacular Opening Ceremony which became the hallmark of the Games.

Working closely with the Beijing Organising Committee Ceremonies team, CT developed, designed and delivered the complex processing and switching requirements used on the dramatic video LED floor and scrolls, one of the pivotal elements during the 2008 opener.

Dave Crump, managing director, Creative Technology London, comments: "Being recognised by industry peers is the highest compliment it also sends such a wonderful message to our dedicated team, who I know work tirelessly to deliver such complex projects."

(Jim Evans)

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USA - Bandit Lites recently wrapped up with a co-headlining tour with ZZ Top and country superstars, Brooks & Dunn. In the midst of their own separate tours, the two bands came together earlier this year for a 17-date run across the US and into Canada. The co-bill outing took place within ZZ Top's In Your Face tour and Brooks & Dunn's ongoing Cowboy Town tour, which stretches through the end of the year.

Lighting designers Chris Stuba (ZZ Top) and Larry Boster (Brooks & Dunn) decided to use Vari*Lite 3500 Washes, 3000 Spots and 2500 Spots. They added Martin Atomic 3000 Strobes and Color Kinetics Color Blasts to the equipment list. Lighting was controlled by two Grand MAs, one Grand MA Lite and three Grand MA NSPs.

"We started this year's tour in April, went to Europe in July and then hooked up with Brooks and Dunn in August. Brooks and Dunn had been out for

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France - This year, Siel, Satis and Le Radio merged to create a single event, uniting the markets of audiovisual technology, live entertainment, event production, and radio broadcasting: Siel-Satis-Radio which took place from 20 - 23 October at the Paris Expo- Porte de Versailles exhibition centre.

A total of 34,412 trade professionals attended the show. The cross-market conferences welcomed a total of 2,287 attendees in the three meeting areas.

The associated events - HD Film Festival and International Multichannel Sound Forum (FISM) - drew capacity audiences.

(Jim Evans)

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Light on the wind - Artists are lighting up London's South Bank with 1200 wind-powered lights as part of a digital arts festival. The Aeolian tower - which means moved by the wind - is a 15m steel structure located next to Waterloo Bridge. The tower is covered with hundreds of tiny wind-powered LEDs. Each one is made up of a plastic turbine, control circuits and three red LEDs. The designers aim to show how renewable energy can be used to power sustainable art and design. As wind blows over the tower, swirling patterns of light reveal the strength and direction of the breeze. "We want to visualize the invisible, making people realize that there's a lot of energy out there that we're not using," said Zena Bruges from Jason Bruges Studio, which designed the tower.

No Knebworth - Coldplay say they won't be playing a one-off gig in the grounds of Knebworth House in

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