USA - Fusing traditional local music with Europop, contemporary rock and an unusual fixation with Scotland, Austrian quintet Die Lauser has a remarkably large fanbase. Playing around 120 shows a year with DiGiCo consoles, the band's recent foray to the USA proved how effective the company's new SD Convert software is.

Die Lauser mixes traditional acoustic Austrian instruments with keyboards, drums and guitar... and bagpipes. The result is the kind of clap-and-stomp-along anthems for audience participation, making the tartan-toting band a favourite at festivals throughout Austria and Germany. This year the band took its special sound to the USA, headlining each of the four nights of the annual German Fest (billed as Milwaukee's Original Haus Party). Normally, the band tours with Di

USA - Although a recent college graduate, Matthew Sakatos already knows where his lighting design preferences lie. "I really like to focus on EDM events," says Sakatos, who majored in a digital film and production major at the Art Institute of Charlotte and now works as an audio-visual designer for Eye Dialogue. "The reason I like EDM shows is because they give you the freedom to get as creative as you want to get," he explains. "The lights and production are almost the focus of an EDM event. So it's a really cool way for your art to be appreciated instantly."

These days, Sakatos' art is being appreciated by the growing fan base of Gets F*cking Weird, a free-flowing interactive EDM event that features top North Carolina electronic artists and DJs, along with aerial dancers, magicians, and other wildly costumed performers. Sakatos met GF*W frontmen R

UK - With its handy D8 Plus chain hoist, Movecat is satisfying the oft-expressed wish of many users for a single-line chain hoist capable of lifting a safe working load of 1,000 kg at a speed of 4 m/min. The Movecat PLUS and PLUSlite 1000-4 is based on the current DIN 56950-1:2012-5 standard and satisfies the BG requirements in full. The mechanism is designed to accommodate twice the nominal load. The chain exhibits dynamic and static safety factors of 8:1 and 10:1 respectively.

With its compact, cast aluminium housing, 9 x 27 load chain, two robust handles and total weight of only 115 kg, the new chain hoist is especially well-suited to daily touring and rental use. Above all when used as a climbing hoist in combination with the Movecat Case, which was developed in close cooperation with users, ideal operation is guaranteed, as the chain-hoist can climb and retract independentl

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

USA - When the first-ever Life Is Beautiful music, art and food festival, took over 15 square blocks of downtown Las Vegas on 26-27 October, Professional Wireless Systems (PWS) was on location providing frequency coordination for the more than 80 musical acts, performers and media outlets throughout the two-day celebration.

In its inaugural year, the Life is Beautiful festival featured a diverse line-up of musical acts from a variety of genres including The Killers, Kings of Leon, Beck, Vampire Weekend, Imagine Dragons, Janelle Monae, Passion Pit, Jurassic 5, Danny Brown, Childish Gambino Pretty Lights, STS9 and Empire of the Sun, to name a few.

"PWS was happy to be part of this new festival, and while we have extensive experience in providing frequency coordination for events of this size and scope, it was not without its challenges," says Jim Van Winkle, general ma

Sweden - LumenRadio reports that they have been granted the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) patent for their Cognitive Coexistence technology (US 8,457,023).

The granted patent covers all of LumenRadio's CRMX product lines. LumenRadio's Cognitive Coexistence technology allows the radio to ensure optimum performance even when other wireless systems are operating in the same area.

"Being granted this patent shows that we have a truly innovative and unique technology, which has never been seen before. We now have our technology protected, which gives our customers confidence that they really are buying the most reliable wireless system on the market. I can reveal that we have more patents coming up in the near future," explains Niclas Norlen, CTO of LumenRadio.

(Jim Evans)

UK - After three successful years at Sennheiser UK in the role of sales manager, production sound, Nick Pemberton has been appointed to a new role as market development manager.

Working directly for Gerry Forde, director of Sales for Sennheiser UK's Professional Audio, Integrated Systems and MI divisions, Nick's new role is in the strategic development of the company's markets, particularly in new and as-yet undeveloped areas.

"Sennheiser and Neumann are currently creating new and exciting products for sectors within which we are not traditionally known. These include the government, corporate and IT markets, to name a few," says Forde. "Nick's new position requires a high level of audio knowledge across a broad range of applications, as well as strong commercial experience. I have no doubt that he will be very successful in such a forward-looking role."

The Netherlands - Matching the breadth of customer needs with innovative technology and dependable service has kept Dutch AV specialist Nieuwenhuis at the top of its game for nine decades. For 60 years the company has relied on Sennheiser equipment. With its most recent purchase of the new Sennheiser LSP 500 PRO PA system, Nieuwenhuis endorses its successful collaboration with the German audio specialist.

Established in 1926, the rental company Nieuwenhuis is a family-run company just like Sennheiser. Since its inception as a manufacturer of microphones and amplifiers, the company has thrived throughout its history through a commitment to innovation and early adoption of the newest technologies, transforming into a rental and sales business. Today, the company focuses on the professional and business markets with a particular focus on delivering solutions for conferences as well

The Netherlands - Orbital Sound, the specialist supplier to the broadcast, theatre, event and entertainment markets, reports that it has supplied the sound system for the Dutch production of the hit musical Jersey Boys, featuring the music and story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, and with sound design by Steve Canyon Kennedy. The system deploys the Meyer Sound Mica compact high-powered curvilinear array speaker, supported by d&b audiotechnik E0 compact speakers.

This is the first foreign language production of the show, which obviously presents the sound team with its own set of unique challenges over and above the conventional issues of the venue. Associate sound designer Andrew Keister provided an insight into this production, which opened recently at the Beatrix Theatre in Utrecht:

"Jersey Boys today is in a place that we couldn't have dreamed of

UK - From Here To Eternity, the new musical based on the celebrated 1953 film and 1951 novel, has just opened at the Shaftesbury Theatre in London's West End. Produced by Tim Rice, who also penned the lyrics, the show features music by Stuart Brayson and book by Bill Oakes. The show is using lighting equipment supplied by entertainment lighting specialist White Light.

Bruno Poet, the show's lighting designer, has enjoyed a widely diverse career, encompassing everything from opera (including a long involvement with Garsington Opera) to plays (including the acclaimed Frankenstein at the National Theatre, for which he won both an Olivier Award and a Knight of Illumination award) to concerts such as the recent tour by Icelandic band Sigur Rós - for which he won another Knight of Illumination sword this year, in the Concert Touring category.

On From Here To Eterni

Italy - Regulating their electro acoustic parameters in the fastest possible way, when necessary in an extreme and even enjoyable manner, has become an indispensable requirement.

The question Outline staffers asked themselves before developing the solution for this issue was the following: how could the "dialogue" or interaction between system engineers and loudspeaker systems be improved?

This question led to another: how could this control be made easier, more enjoyable and more powerful than it had ever been in the past?

And also: was it possible to control a line array (completely) with just a tablet, and no other kind of aid?

These ideas were at the basis of Outline's iMode - The Intelligent Digital Loudspeaker Multi-Control Platform -- and the company has now decided to dedicate a Web site to ensuring the technology involved is fully understood.

"On

World - Heavy metal icon Black Sabbath continues its Reunion Tour in Latin America, Europe and the UK with a large complement of Clay Paky Sharpy and Sharpy Wash lights. The tour celebrates the band's reunion last year and supports their album 13, the first with Ozzy Osbourne since 1978.

"Sharpys are the ultimate eye candy," declares Michael Keller, lighting programmer for Baz Halpin, the tour's lighting designer. "They create such a visual display that they combat most videowalls. They're one of the few instruments that can cut right past them."

Halpin is utilising 42 Sharpys on the tour with two pods of 4x4s and 10 fixtures on the ground, says Keller. "They're very sturdy and rugged and have never had a failure. They're bulletproof lights with very powerful lamps. The prism is great and the gobos are amazing. Anything you want to do with them

South Africa - Robe's latest LED moving lights are being used in great style to light the current series of So You Think You Can Dance in South Africa, which is being recorded at the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC)'s Renaissance Centre venue in downtown Johannesburg.

Lighting is designed by Robert Grobler from Gearhouse South Africa (GHSA). The 24 x Robe DLX Spot and 24 x DLF Wash fixtures being used on the show are part of a new investment in Robe's latest technology by GHSA, the country's largest rental and full technical production facility. This is their first show.

Using these, plus other Robe LED luminaires, has reduced the power requirements by a third form the previous series - as a result they have dropped from a 300 to a 200 KVA generator for lighting power. It's also the first TV show in SA to feature an almost all LED moving light rig.

The po

Italy / Chile - Luci della Ribalta has reinforced its distribution network in South America by appointing the company Iluminacion Profesional Valook SA as distributor for Chile.

The new distribution partnership was announced during PLASA London 2013, following a meeting had at LDI show in Las Vegas. "

Fabiano Besio comments, "Chile and Italy are located on the opposite side of the pond and I'm happy to close the gap between these two beautiful countries and to have a prestigious company like Valook to represent us in Chile. It's a pleasure to deal with people that share the same enthusiasm and passion for light."

Alejandor Cortez, sales manager at Valook commented, "LDR match with the existing portfolio of solutions that we can offer to our partners and their customers. With this product in the range we are now capable of completing our offer for the thea

New Zealand - PA company, High Definition Audio Visual Ltd (HDAV), has invested in two Allen & Heath digital consoles, a Qu-16 rackmount mixer, and the new GLD-112 with accompanying AR2412 and AR84 for additional stage and FOH I/O racks.

The Auckland-based firm has added Qu-16 to its hire stock to manage a forthcoming national corporate roadshow that will have a corporate element as well as a performance in each city by the band Moorhouse, a recent X Factor NZ contestant.

The GLD-112 system was purchased to service events in the corporate and entertainment sector. On its first outing the GLD-112 was required to handle 18 channels of corporate inputs and 22 channels of band and DJ inputs. In the coming months, the console will be managing acts such as Reece Mastin, Tiki Taane, and the Dozen, along with a host of high profile corporate events..

"This was an easy purchase

South Africa - At the start of the year AFDA, one of the leading film, television and performance schools in Africa, opened a campus in Durban. DWR Distribution's Nick Barnes was pleased to recently provide a lighting installation, using Philips Strand technology, for a small film at their small television studio at the institution.

The Philips Strand LED Studio Panels are a sensible choice for students who can use the units both inside the studio and on location and for control a Philips Strand 200 Plus Series console has been supplied.

AFDA, the trading name for- The South African School of Motion Picture Medium and Live Performance, was established in Johannesburg in 1994 and offers internationally recognized degree programmes.

With a Cape Town campus in operation since 2003, it was with great excitement that AFDA finally open her doors in Durban on 4 February 2013. AFDA'

Germany - This summer water was the real star at the Autostadt in Wolfsburg, where the largest water show in the world, called Made in Germany, is produced and choreographed. Four performances were held during the week, each one consisting of extraordinary effects using more than 70m of fountains and 15m of firework displays. All accompanied by a spectacular light show.

Lighting designer Andreas 'Mini' Mertens used 18 Clay Paky Alpha Profile 1500s, 14 Sharpy Washes, 30 Sharpys, a grandMA2 full-size and two MA Network Processing Units (NPU).

On the subject of event lighting management, Mertens said, "We placed moving heads in special floating housings on the surface of the water, so that they fit in with the two elements, water and fire, to create effects very similar to constellations. A complete 3D model of the outdoor Autostadt environment was built on the grandM

UK - Buckinghamshire New University relied on HHB Communications Ltd. to supply, commission and install a diverse range of professional audio equipment to meet the needs of recent studio upgrades.

HHB's experience supplying Pro Tools HD technology was invaluable in identifying the most cost effective Avid products, including the latest version 11 HD software, HDX hardware, two Pro Tools D-Command consoles and two C24 consoles. HHB also provided installation services, fitting the new hardware and adapting cabling.

Buckinghamshire specified new technology for the expanded curriculum that covers developing trends in audio production, such as loudness monitoring and surround sound music mixing for picture. As such, HHB also supplied TC Electronic TM7 TouchMonitors stand-alone loudness meters and the LM2 Loudness and True-Peak Meter software, in addition to SoundField surround soun

UK - Ever since setting up his new leisure company, No Saints' CEO Steve Thomas has applied his extensive experience in nightclub operation to achieve the perfect mix; and central to this is a killer lightshow. He wasted no time in renewing his relationship with SGM supremo Peter Johansen - and from his first Wonderland outing (in Surrey) has turned increasingly to the LED solutions offered by the Danish manufacturer to deliver the wow factor.

SGM UK has now provided design support for system integrators, Cosmic Electronics, who have installed another SGM 3D pixel extravaganza (along with other SGM effects) in the newly-opened Faces in Wolverhampton, on the site of a former Oceana.

Having stood empty for around 19 months this landmark building has now reopened after undergoing a £750,000 refurbishment.

In common with earlier themes, Faces contains two dance rooms split

UK - Kent- based technical and creative solutions provider and live communications specialist, Eclipse Presentations, has invested in a series of new ShowLED Animation Cloths which have been added to their extensive stock of drapes and soft goods.

Eclipse designs and produces a plethora of diverse shows and events - including awards ceremonies, dinners, parties, product launches, conferences and AGMs and experiential of all types - and owns a full range of professional sound, lighting, video, staging and IT equipment which is used to facilitate its busy schedule.

Consistent annual investment in the latest technology ensures that Eclipse can offer its clients the best, most imaginative and cost-efficient options for all of their projects.

Alongside on-going investment in the basics like screens, laptops, microphones, etc., each year, an element of the equipment budget is allo

UK - The Battersea Power Station recently played host to Shine - Cancer Research UK's Full and Half Marathon event through the city.

Starting at this London landmark, the illuminated night-time walk, now in its fourth year, passed a number of equally famous buildings on the way, including London Eye, St Paul's Cathedral and the Houses of Parliament.

The spectacular illumination began at Battersea itself, where Blueprint Events' Chris Morgan was brought in to dramatically wash the Power Station itself, using six SGM P-5 LED floods. His company also used some of their 2-metre LT-200 3D pixel tubes to create a stunning tunnel.

Back in the summer the Bristol based company had made a giant leap of faith in the Danish manufacturer's products, purchasing 250 LT-200s and 84 SGM ILD Drivers to complement their prior investment in SGM's LB-100 balls. These were immediately cross hired

France - Opéra Bastille in Paris is one of the two main venues of the Opera National du Paris, France's principal opera company (the other venue is the prestigious Opéra Garnier). Designed by Uruguayan architect Carlos Ott and located at the place de la Bastille, the building houses a 2700 seat theatre as well as a smaller concert hall and studio.

Part of President Francois Mitterrand's 'Grands Projets', Opéra Bastille was one of eight iconic building projects begun in the 1980s to revitalise Paris and create modern 'monuments' to symbolise France's role in art, economics and politics at the end of the twentieth century. The scale of Mitterrand's project was compared at the time to the major building schemes of Louis XIV and as such, The Bastille Opera house constitutes part of one of the most important post-war examples of urban planning in Europe.

It was

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