Lighting

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12 August 2025

Europe - Robbie Williams’ 14th world tour, in support of his 13th studio album, Britpop, kicked off in Edinburgh’s Murrayfield stadium on 31 May at the beginning of a 37-date tour of the UK and Europe, reaching mainland Europe by late June before its scheduled culmination date on 7 October in Istanbul’s ITÜ Stadyumu.

Lighting designer Paul Normandale of Blackburn-based Lite Alternative, the tour’s lighting supplier, selected a total of 132 IP65-rated Ayrton fixtures including Perseo Profile, Veloce Profile, Argo 6 FX and the new Mamba, as the mainstay of his rig for this demanding tour. 

This is the second time Normandale has toured with Williams; this time the Stufish-designed set is a dynamic construction of moving set pieces, large video screen flying pieces, a 25m wide main stage, a B-stage at the end of a catwalk and a C-stage

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12 August 2025

Croatia - The 2025 Pula Film Festival – staged in spectacular Pula Arena, the world’s only remaining Roman amphitheatre with its four side towers fully preserved – had some extra magic added with Robe moving lights, part of a design by Emil Koller to support the movie programme.

This was the 72nd edition of this landmark event, running from 10 to 17 July 2025; it saw an increase in visitor and audience numbers, and more participants from the Pula PRO industry programme for film professionals and students maximising the professional networking and education opportunities.

Emil has lit the event – including opening and closing ceremonies – for the last 20 years, and in that time has seen numerous changes, especially as the technology has developed. The opening ceremony was broadcast live on Croatia national television’s HRT1 channel.

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11 August 2025

Czech Republic - An array of Claypaky lighting fixtures illuminated the Smetanova Litomyšl Festival, the second oldest music festival in the Czech Republic and one of the country’s largest classical music festivals. From 14 June to 6 July, the 67th edition returned to its traditional setting of the courtyard of a Renaissance castle in Litomyšl, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where it delighted national and international guests. David Bazik is the technical director and set designer for the festival.

Prague-based LightNeq, which specialises in premium sound, lighting, video and staging solutions with internationally recognised brands, provided the Claypaky fixtures, which included seven Rhapsodyas, 20 Sinfonya Profile 600s and 24 Midi-B/WWs, all of them capable of extremely quiet operation.

The festival, which dates from 1949, is named for the most

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11 August 2025

Slovenia - Singer, songwriter and superstar Nina Pušlar rocked her picturesque hometown of Ivančna Gorica, 40k out of Ljubljana, for a triumphant homecoming concert at the football stadium, celebrating 20 years of success in the music industry. Her career, like so many, started via a talent competition, and her energising, broad-based appeal and bubbly blend of folk and pop has made her the hottest artist in Slovenia.

Lighting designer Crt Birsa of design studio Blackout produced a carefully sculpted light show crafted for the scale and importance of the occasion. He utilised nearly 200 Robe moving lights among his 500-plus fixtures to impress Nina’s friendly, loyal, and enthusiastic fanbase, which included Slovenia’s President, Nataša Pirc Musar.

Crt and his team at design studio Blackout have been working with the artist for around 15 years,

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11 August 2025

USA - Obsidian Control Systems has introduced Onyx 4.32, the latest iteration of its popular lighting control software for NX consoles and PC systems. This new version includes a host of improvements - feature enhancements and bug fixes - designed to give lighting programmers more control, speed, and flexibility while opening up new possibilities for creative programming.

Faster cue control, smarter pixel mapping, and timecode support via standard audio input make programming smoother than ever, says the company. Whether you work in theatre, broadcast, or live events, Onyx 4.32 gives designers and programmers tools that streamline workflow for an even more intuitive lighting control experience.

Key updates in Onyx 4.32 include Cue List Tracking, which allows you to skip over cues while keeping your show running smoothly. Parameters can now also be re

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08 August 2025

UK - As part of LSi's 40th anniversary celebrations, we'll be taking a tour through the archives at our coverage of various shows and productions over the decades. First up, a musical that launched at around the same time as LSi, and is still going strong! When Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Phantom of the Opera debuted at Her Majesty’s Theatre in London’s West End in October 1986, reviewers raved about its spectacular stage effects. These included “a thousand candles arising from a subterranean lake and a ‘gas lit’ recreation of the Paris Opera House of the 1870s”.

Having itself launched just a year earlier – in November 1985 – LSi ventured backstage to meet the creatives responsible for that fascinating flicker effect; something we might not think twice about today, but which was as magic as Paul Daniels back in the ‘80s!

In the

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08 August 2025

USA - Progressive rockers and sci-fi storytellers Coheed and Cambria continued to compel audiences on their recent The Infinite Arc Tour, taking concertgoers along with them as they traversed both space and human emotion.

In support of the band’s eleventh studio album, Vaxis – Act III: The Father of Make Believe, the tour amplified the storytelling of lead singer Claudio Sanchez’s comic book series The Amory Wars. In addition to the narrative arc, each show on tour brought the impressive visuals and musicality the band has hallmarked throughout its successful three-decade career.

Lighting designer Ben Jarrett of Squeek Lights took all of this into account when crafting the lighting looks and palettes for the tour. He explained the rig, detailing how one special onstage feature influenced his approach, and how X-Laser

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08 August 2025

USA - The Conference Centre, the premier meeting hall for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Salt Lake City, has invested in 85 Robert Juliat Dalis 864 footlights with a four-colour mixing system to enhance performances in the 21,000-seat auditorium.  ACT Entertainment is the exclusive distributor of Robert Juliat lighting in North America.

“We purchased eight of the white version Dalis 862 LED asymmetrical footlights about 10 years ago and have had zero problems with them, so we decided to buy additional units of the colour version,” explains Braden Howard, Lighting Specialist III, who serves as the resident lighting designer at The Conference Centre. The new fixtures were obtained from Barbizon Light of the Rockies - Utah. 

“The Dalis 862 footlights are part of the rig for events held in the space, but for the upgrade we dec

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08 August 2025

USA - Norwegian prog-metal band Leprous captivated fans across North America with a masterfully crafted visual experience on their 2025 tour, thanks to a dynamic lighting design by Sindre Hansen and production support from Bandit Lites.

Tour and production manager Vincent Bezault brought Hansen and Bandit together for this run, and it quickly proved to be a seamless and productive collaboration. “I feel that the communication and the whole process was very positive and professional from start to finish,” said Hansen. “Andrew Ellis offered great service and good solutions, sewing my suggestions into a practical kit that both me and the rest of the crew/band was happy with.”

The lighting package was prepped and demoed at Bandit’s facility, where Hansen was provided with detailed photos and videos of the full floor package ahead of time. “Th

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08 August 2025

USA – When Dominic Lopenzo set out to light Grace City Church’s Summer Youth Camp in Lakeland, Florida, he wanted to create some big looks for the event, which is intended exclusively for young people belonging to Grace City Church. Unfortunately, budgetary restraints limited the fixtures he could have in his event rig. Yet, despite this challenge, he was able to create club-like atmosphere in the 300-capacity room by focusing his rig on a single, high output fixture.

“Given the situation I faced, I decided that my best course of action was to build almost all of my design around one fixture,” said Lopenzo, the technical director of Grace City Music and Grace City Church. “I wanted something powerful and versatile so I could fill the room with dynamic looks to create the right atmosphere from one end of the space to the other.”

Other than

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08 August 2025

USA/Europe - ETC has launched the DP8K Exchange Programme, a new initiative designed to help customers transition to the latest generation of Hog hardware and software.

The programme supports users of the High End Systems DMX Processor 8000 (DP8K), which was discontinued in 2020. While the DP8K remained compatible with earlier versions of Hog OS, it is no longer supported with the release of Hog OS v5.x, making an upgrade essential for continued performance and compatibility.

To make this transition smoother and more cost-effective, ETC is offering a significant discount on the purchase of a new HPU (hybrid processing unit) when replacing an existing DP8K. Programme details, including exchange logistics, may vary by region.

Customers are encouraged to contact their local ETC dealer for full details, eligibility, and support wi

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07 August 2025

UK - Aside from the large quantity of GLP’s JDC2 IP and impression X5 Bars deployed on the Pyramid stage for Friday night Glastonbury headliners the 1975, it was another headline performance – Charli XCX’s appearance on the Other stage – that became another of the most talked-about sets of the festival. Here the stage was bedecked with 168 JDC Burst 1 strobe/wash hybrids.

Since last November, her lighting has been supplied by Liteup, which has now added 90 of its 100 newly acquired GLP JDC Burst 1s to her touring rig. These accompanied her to Glastonbury, where they complemented a further 78 JDC Bursts on the over-stage rig, the wings and delay tower – part of the generic house rig provided by Siyan. This gave the artist’s creative director, Imogene Strauss, and LD, Jonny Kingsbury (Cour Design), the tools needed to deliver a dynamic and ever-cha

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07 August 2025

USA - Jennifer Lucas and her team at Star Design Lighting were asked recently to light a gala for Saint Mary’s Medical Centre, Huntington, WV. This was no ordinary fundraiser either, but a highly imaginative event, built around a Cosmic Odyssey theme in the 7,500-seat Marshall Health Network Arena.

“I knew this was going to be a fun challenge as soon as we were given the project,” says Lucas. “Putting my team and me in an arena with over a hundred moving lights to do a ‘space’ theme sounded like a good time! Of course, that fun was after a few meetings and a whole lot of logistics being worked out. I speak for everyone on my team when I say we loved using a wide colour palette, pitting bright vibrant colours against a dark cosmic sky, and having sweeping beams of light traverse the room - perhaps from visitors from another galaxy!”

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07 August 2025

USA - Follow-Me’s 3D system is playing a key role in the spectacular lighting automation of country music superstar Kane Brown's High Road Tour. The production is currently captivating audiences across major US venues, from Pechanga Arena in San Diego to Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, running through 10 October.

The tour features an innovative all-moving lighting rig with Follow-Me 3D serving as part of the show's sophisticated automation ecosystem. Christie Lites provides vendor support, with Follow-Me programmer Evan Rodecap and production/lighting designer Chase Hall leading the technical implementation.

Hall set out to revolutionise country music production values with an ambitious vision. "I was bound and determined to make a country show look progressive and cool," he explains. "So I intentionally abandoned the typical country trope

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07 August 2025

UK - In the vibrant Quarry Hill campus of Leeds City College, an ambitious educational and technological project is shaping the future of the performing arts: the Chroma-Q Theatre. This versatile, 200-seat venue not only serves as a modern performance space, but also stands out as a dynamic training laboratory for young industry professionals.

Within this fast-paced and continually evolving context, the Astro 250 LED followspots by Luci Della Ribalta (LDR) have found a place, becoming an essential part of the theatre’s educational and production experience.

“The Chroma-Q Theatre was inaugurated in 2020 within Leeds City College. The venue doesn’t have a fixed stage, which allows for great flexibility in staging, and it’s used not only by students but also by prominent organisations like Leeds Playhouse and Leeds College of Music,” explains

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07 August 2025

Germany - CGS Dry Hire is expanding its portfolio with the addition of the new Elation Paragon S. The compact, weatherproof LED profile moving head is part of the multi-award-winning Paragon series and offers high light output, variable CRI settings, and an innovative interchangeable lens system – making it a good fit for the professional dry hire segment. Elation products in Germany are distributed through its longtime partner, LMP Lichttechnik Vertriebs GmbH.

“The Paragon S combines compact design, outdoor capability, and exceptional flexibility," explains Josef Reichenstetter, department manager at CGS Dry Hire. “Thanks to the interchangeable lenses, we can cover various requirements with one unit – saving investment costs and storage space.”

The Paragon series is available in three high-performance models - S, M, and LT - designed for v

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06 August 2025

USA - Clearwing, a recognised provider of production services and systems integration in the United States, has joined Clair Global.

Founded in 1976, Clearwing has earned its reputation by delivering high-impact audio, lighting, video, and rigging solutions for live events and permanent installations. With locations in Milwaukee, WI and Phoenix, AZ, the company takes a solutions-driven approach and is backed by a team known for its professionalism, creativity, and consistent results.

Clearwing is currently providing lighting for Gracie Abrams' The Secret of Us tour and recently delivered audio for the electronic music duo, ODESZA. In addition to touring support, music festivals like Boston Calling, Summerfest, and Innings have relied on Clearwing for audio and lighting services. The team also contributed to high-pr

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06 August 2025

UK - Having first opened in 2003, Thornden Hall Arts Centre provides support for the Performing Arts Departments in Thornden School, as well as playing host to local amateur groups and professional companies. This multi-purpose venue has a capacity of 386 and its versatility means it can be readily adapted for music, dance, drama, conferences, presentations and cinema. In addition, there are specialist music, drama and dance studios, as well as a foyer and licensed bar.

In recent years, the venue decided to upgrade the traditional tungsten fixtures within its main performance space to LED technology – a process that has been supported by Solutions On Stage. As such, the company was called upon to alter the Hall’s existing dimming system to become an LED lighting infrastructure – drawing on a hot power solution. 

The Manager of Thornden Hall Ar

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06 August 2025

South Africa - Johannesburg-based rental production and technical specialist AV Unlimited has added 12 x Robe LEDBeam 350s to the lighting inventory that join its existing stock of Robe fixtures.

Founded as a video company in 1991, AV Unlimited delivers production, imaginative designs, and innovative equipment solutions – video, lighting, sound – for a broad base of corporate, business, and industrial events as well as some television productions, throughout South Africa and in many other African countries.

AV Unlimited’s operations director, Guillaume Ducray, explained that the first Robe lights in the company after the lighting division started were LEDWash 600s, which are still used on 99% of their shows. Their Pointes and LEDBeam 100s are also out constantly.

When making purchasing decisions, Guillaume relies on feedback from their

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06 August 2025

UK - As UK City of Culture 2025, Bradford is playing host to an extensive programme of events in the arts and entertainment field. With a rich and diverse cultural heritage as the backdrop to a year of celebration, Bradford 2025 has invested in a number of innovative creative spaces to provide opportunities for people to engage with cultural events.

One of the most exciting and versatile of these is The Beacon, a custom-made mobile venue, which is being constructed, dismantled and moved between four different city locations - Wibsey Park, Bowling Park, Cliffe Castle Park, and Lister Park. A packed programme of events at each site includes weekday shows and weekend festivals, featuring music, comedy, clubs, classes, family activities and more.

Following a tendering process, Bradford 2025 engaged locally based Pro Audio Systems (PAS) to supply and inst

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05 August 2025

UK - As the curtain rises on another vibrant season at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, White Light, a d&b solutions company (WL) continues its long-standing partnership, supporting the venue’s evolving creative and technical ambitions with a lighting rig that is as versatile as it is visionary.

Joe Kirk, head of lighting at Regent’s Park, has led the charge in designing a season rig that balances creative flexibility with environmental responsibility. “Every show; whether a musical, a play, or a concert, relies on the same core rig,” says Kirk. “It’s designed to be modern, adaptable, and budget-conscious, while still delivering the high-impact visuals our audiences expect.”

This year’s rig, fully IP-rated and 100% LED, includes standout fixtures such as the Martin ELP PAR IP and Viper XIP, chosen for their brightness, colour mix

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05 August 2025

UK - IPS (Impact Production Services) has announced the addition of 400 x 1000mm and 100 x 320mm Martin Sceptron XB fixtures to its hire inventory, alongside a complete suite of rigging, power, and control infrastructure. This significant investment makes IPS the largest UK rental house currently holding the Sceptron XB, the latest evolution in Martin’s LED video fixture line.

The Sceptron XB units have already been deployed on high-profile projects, including the Fantastic Four film premiere at the BFI IMAX in London, and are expected to see strong demand across live music, broadcast, corporate events, and outdoor activations. Following consistent year-round demand for the original VDO Sceptron 10, the new XB model offers upgrades including RGBW colour mixing, increased brightness, and a wider selection of diffusers and rigging options. With an I

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05 August 2025

USA/Europe - Elation has introduced the ultra-long-throw Proteus Atlas. This intense IP66 Beam FX is comparable to 7K Xenon searchlights yet offers a host of design features and operates at a fraction of the power.

Designed for landmark events and large-scale productions, the Proteus Atlas is engineered ‘to conquer vast distances and paint the sky with precision, empowering designers to light boldly at scale’.

Proteus Atlas features a laser-based LILI light engine, which produces a bright, dense, Xenon-style beam with sharp definition. Designed for both indoor and outdoor applications, the Proteus Atlas powers out 1,000,000 Lux @ 20m (100,000 Lux @ 100m), throwing a concentrated beam of light that can span impressively long distances. The ultra-narrow beam projects from a mammoth 320mm (12.5") front lens as a massive column of light, adding atten

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04 August 2025

USA - At first glance, it seems like 12 automated pods are hovering overhead in Trevor Drawdy’s design for Hardy’s blockbuster Jim Bob World Tour. In reality, there are only seven physical pods, the five other apparent lighting grids in the captivating circle of pods are virtual replications floating over the stage in a massive video space.

For Drawdy, this visual sleight of hand was part of a grand vision to create an immersive blend of the real and virtual for Hardy’s tour, which began 12 April at Country Thunder in Arizona, and concludes 24 September at Madison Square Garden. Balancing the “two realities” is, he says, an ideal way to reflect the genre bending, story-telling nature of his client’s music.

Drawdy recalled how this evocative design evolved: “The original spark came from Hardy’s team. They wanted to bring ‘Ji