Projects

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24 June 2025

UK - Martin Audio partner, Penguin Media Solutions, recently completed the third technical overhaul of pubs in the burgeoning 50-plus Laine Pub Company estate.

Both organisations are HQ’d in Brighton, and Penguin’s technical project manager Dylan Thompson says that since all three city centre pubs have their own identity and autonomy, an individual approach was required when it came to specifying audio. Martin Audio’s extensive portfolio afforded different options.

Penguin’s latest implementation was the Black Lion, a popular music pub nestled in Brighton’s famous Lanes. The client required better traffic flow to draw its clientele towards the rear of the room - where the intensity would increase - and avoid the current pinch point at the front. “The previous design was a bit lazy, with lots of mismatched 8in boxes scattered around and a

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24 June 2025

USA - Hip-hop artist Ja Rule is touring North America with an electrifying visual show that uses Elation’s Proteus Rayzor Blade as a multi-dimensional lighting effect. In the capable hands of Shepherd Lowrey of Cactus Creative Studio, the powerful linear LED fixture supports an entertaining show that combines raw energy and futuristic flair with reflective appreciation.

SLX Productions provides lighting, scenic fabrication and design engineering for the tour, with Lowrey serving as production designer, creative producer and lighting designer. Lowrey also created much of the show’s content. He and SLX principal Ariel Afar have collaborated on past high-profile projects, including a Jon Batiste performance at Coachella 2024 in which Afar introduced Lowrey to the Proteus Rayzor Blade. Since then, the fixture has been a staple of his designs.

“The

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24 June 2025

UK - Since opening its doors in 2012, RedX Dance in Bristol has taught street dance classes to hundreds of children and adults of all abilities. The award-winning company has its own studio in the Staple Hill area of the city, recently equipped with an array of Optimal Audio speakers and control solution.

With a requirement to deliver coverage over a large studio space and ensuring great-sounding audio to inspire dancers, suppliers Richer Sounds in Bath ultimately specified a quartet of Optimal Audio’s Cuboid 6 full-range, two-way wall-mounted speakers with a single Sub 6 ultra-compact sub-bass speaker.

As Richer Sounds’ Bath store manager Tom explains: “One of the biggest challenges was making sure we could cover the whole studio while maintaining a reasonable speaker count. The Cuboid 6 sounds great and strikes an excellent balance between po

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23 June 2025

Japan - The Biwako Hall in Shiga Prefecture, celebrated for hosting some of the country’s premier opera and classical performances, has become the first performing arts venue in Japan to install the SPAT Revolution Wave Field Synthesis immersive audio system powered by Harman’s FLUX:: technology. This system enables an auditory experience that positions sound precisely on stage, creating a fully immersive environment that enhances the audience’s engagement, regardless of seating location.

Located 20 minutes from Kyoto on the shores of Lake Biwa, the 1,848-seat Biwako Hall is renowned for its diverse programming and its unique acoustics tailored to classical performances. The installation of the SPAT Revolution reflects Biwako Hall’s commitment to innovation in the performing arts. The system upgrade enhances the hall’s front-of-house package, intro

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23 June 2025

Sweden - At the beginning of this year, Swedish artist Thåström set out on a 14-date arena tour, which closed at the Avicii Arena in Stockholm on 15 March. Known for his gritty, emotionally raw sound and poetic lyricism, the singer brought fans closer than ever, thanks in part to an audio setup built around Allen & Heath’s dLive series and the RackUltra FX card.

FOH engineer Oscar Soederlund has worked with Thåström since 2021 and the highly experienced engineer elected to use a dLive S7000 control surface connected to a space-efficient DM0 MixRack, with a similar setup used for the monitor mix handled by production manager Henrik ‘Hambo’ Henriksson. Audio rental company Parashoot supplied the dLive control packages for the tour, while APM and Soundforce handled the PA.

For FOH, a DX32 modular expander was equipped with Prime inputs

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23 June 2025

USA - The Alamodome has been a cultural landmark in San Antonio since opening its doors in 1993. Designed as a versatile community hub, it has hosted a vast array of local, regional, and international events for more than three decades. Now, thanks to a visionary lighting project, the venue is entering a new era.

The new lighting installation was a collaborative effort between Mega-Lite and ISI City Smart Lights, combining expertise and innovation to bring the Alamodome’s exterior to life.

Lighting artists and designers Eduardo Orozco Sr. and Eduardo Orozco Jr. led the design, selecting the advanced Outshine Q500, an IP-rated fixture featuring 48 powerful LEDs, 16-bit dimming, and smooth colour transitions for stunning visual effects. 60 units were strategically placed around the building’s perimeter, creating a vibrant 50ft wash that dramaticall

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23 June 2025

Singapore - The Singapore Repertory Theatre (SRT), one of the leading professional theatre companies in Asia, recently deployed Clear-Com’s Arcadia Central Station, resolving persistent communication issues and streamlining coordination across departments. The upgrade was carried out in collaboration with Clear-Com’s regional partner, Electronics & Engineering Pte (E&E).

In a high-stakes theatrical environment, communication breakdowns can directly impact show quality. SRT had begun experiencing reliability issues with its aging intercom system, including occasional interference and wear that hindered clear communication among the production team. “Every cue matters during a production,” said Lee Kong Shen, technical manager at SRT. “Our previous system just wasn’t keeping up with our pace. We knew we needed a change, something dependable

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23 June 2025

Europe - Stageco was chosen as a key technical provider by French production company Teckoff for a run of major shows at the Stade de France in Paris this April.

Notably, the 26 April performance by Marseille-born rapper Jul smashed the venue’s attendance record with his audience totalling 97,816 – this eclipsed the previous record set in 2022 by Indochine, another of Stageco’s clients.

Working closely with Lies Rombouts, Stageco France project manager Thierry Nataf liaised with the chart-topper’s show designers Gwen Gauthier, Paul Chapet and Cédric Babin, Stageco’s R&D technicians Jan Claes and Bart Bleys, and structural engineer Daan Van Cauteren, to ensure that the delivery of the production was second to none.

Rehearsals took place in Aix en Provence – close to the Stageco France warehouse – for a full week from 12 Apri

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23 June 2025

USA - Andre Petrus is turning high school memories into a spectacularly dynamic visual experience as the production and lighting designer on John Legend’s Get Lifted 20th Anniversary Tour.

“Getting the chance to design John Legend’s 20th anniversary of Get Lifted was a full circle moment for me,” said Petrus, of Outrage Media Group. “I clearly remember that album in high school and I wore it out. That style of music is 100-percent my vibe. I have deep roots in gospel and R&B so designing that show came naturally.”

Petrus’ unbridled enthusiasm for lighting the anniversary tour comes across loud and clear in his sweeping ebullient design. Moving seamlessly through a dramatic flow of bold looks, he captures the magical range of his multi-award-winning client. At times, he covers the stage in lush colours, reflecting t

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23 June 2025

The Netherlands - Grote Kerk (Big Church) in Apeldoorn was the unlikely venue for two recent dance parties hosted by ABNØRMAAL Events. The team from production company RJ Showequipment overcame significant challenges – including complex logistics and a tight budget – to deliver impressive production for the event. Utilising ADJ’s powerful and feature-packed Focus Profile and Vizi Beam 12RX moving heads, they created a high-tech dance club atmosphere while simultaneously using lighting to highlight the ornate décor of the historic venue.

One of the most significant examples of neo-Renaissance church architecture in the Netherlands, Apeldoorn’s Grote Kerk was constructed in the late 1800s. It remains a place of Christian worship but is also used to host concerts and other cultural events open to the public.

Electronic Music promoter ABNØRMAA

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23 June 2025

South Africa - Across one weekend in June, Red Bull Symphonic took over The Montecasino Teatro, Johannesburg, with a blend of orchestral compositions and contemporary Amapiano energy.

Powering this much-anticipated performance was a complete Plus Audio sound system. A Stage Audio Works house brand, Plus Audio provided powerful audio across three consecutive nights, making a strong case for the brand’s high-performance capabilities at an accessible price point and highlighting its readiness for large-scale touring and live events.

“We’ve put Plus Audio through its paces before, but Red Bull Symphonic was the next level,” says Nathan Ihlenfeldt, technical director at Stage Audio Works and FOH engineer for the event. “Between the orchestral detail and the energy of Amapiano, the system needed to be exceptionally versatile. In short, it exceede

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20 June 2025

UK - GLP’s latest strobe/wash hybrid, the JDC Burst 1, made the most auspicious of debuts, when 96 of the compact fixtures were deployed at London’s Royal Albert Hall by lighting designer Jelle Stoffels – the first deployment in the UK.

With its segmented, controllable white strobe line – substantially brighter than its forebear, the JDC1 – the JDC Burst 1 delivers punch and impressive strobe effects. A further advantage is that it is also IP65-rated.

Having used the original JDC1 multiple times, upon learning that lighting vendor Siyan had taken delivery of the first 100 heads in the UK, Stoffels jumped at the chance to put the fixture’s superior characteristics to the test with Swiss electronic house and techno DJ duo Adriatique (Adrian Shala and Adrian Schweizer). In particular, he was interested to see how having the two RGBW LED plat

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20 June 2025

India - Obsidian Control Systems recently played a key control role at the 2025 IIFA Awards at the JECC Grounds in Jaipur, where Bollywood’s brightest stars took centre stage.

Supported by VMT, Obsidian’s official Indian distribution partner, Wizcraft International Entertainment produced the show, where Obsidian’s NX4, NX2, NXP and Netron EN12 handled 600 lighting fixtures across 24 universes.

The Obsidian consoles delivered intuitive programming and adaptability, allowing for dynamic lighting transitions and high-impact cues. The NXP expansion wing provided scalable control for the large setup, while the Netron EN12 ensured flawless data transmission across the rig.

Becket Tundatil, lighting designer at Fireflies, said: “Lighting plays a crucial role in storytelling, and Obsidian delivered flawlessly. Its intuitive controls

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20 June 2025

India - KOCA is the latest addition to the culinary landscape in the Indian city of Gurgaon. The first restaurant venture of Indian cricketer Yuvraj Singh, KOCA - Kitchen of Celebratory Arts - is a fine dining establishment characterised by chic contemporary interiors and an elegant yet high-energy experience.

Background music is a key element of KOCA’s atmosphere, as are the DJ sets which are a feature of the venue. A quality sound system was an essential requirement for the KOCA team, so they engaged supplier Alphatec and integrator VMS Delhi, led by technical lead Mr Sandeep Duggal, to provide an appropriate solution.

The team chose a Coda Audio system for the interior areas of KOCA. It was of great importance to the venue that as well as providing powerful but smooth audio, the aesthetics of the loudspeakers did not compromise the decor.

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20 June 2025

UK - 50 Cent and Charlie XCX headlined Parklife on a Serious Stages 25m TZ roof, with a new Big Top stage added to the festival for 2025.

Serious answered the promoter's request to increase the capacity of Parklife’s main Valley Stage and supplied the platform for the new Big Top Stage, continuing a long history of supplying stages and buildings to Manchester’s premier dance festival.

Parklife’s event production partners, Engine No 4, have constantly refreshed the site and infrastructure since the festival moved to Heaton Park in 2012. For 2025, they entrusted Serious Stages to support their delivery of a new main stage to accommodate larger headline productions and for an expanded audience.

Production manager Tommy Sheals-Barrett, Engine No 4, says: “We needed to increase capacity in the Valley area for our stand-alone Friday show, w

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20 June 2025

UK - The Art-Deco Grade II listed Queens Hotel has been an impressive presence on Leeds’ City Square since its construction in 1937. Designed by W.H. Hamlyn and faced with white Portland Stone, it is a striking landmark which over the years has hosted many notable guests. Royals, world leaders, and international film stars have all experienced the comforts of The Queens.

At the end of last year, The Queens was the focus of an art installation which saw LeedsBID (Leeds Business Improvement District) collaborate with Barcelona-based creative studio Onionlab on To Leeds With Love, a visual spectacular which used the elegant architecture of the Hotel as a canvas for multiple projections themed around The Twelve Days of Christmas.

The ambitious and innovative project, which embraced state-of-the-art technology and world-class design, r

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19 June 2025

UK - The Piano, which just wrapped its third season, is a popular UK reality competition that invites undiscovered, amateur pianists to perform emotionally charged music amid the bustling sounds of some of the country’s busiest train stations. The concept of the show was borne from the practice of commuters sitting down to play the upright pianos commonly found in England’s train depots.

Capturing those moments with high-quality sound in unpredictable public spaces requires precision, creativity and exceptional gear. With this in mind, sound supervisor and founder of Audio Dept UK, Richard Meredith, turned to his trusted toolkit, led by DPA Microphones, for the recordings, as well as Wisycom wireless RF solutions.

“The show’s premise is so pure - it’s just people sitting down at a public piano and expressing themselves,” explains

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19 June 2025

Canada - Founded in 1878 in London, Ontario, Western University is one of Canada's top research-intensive universities. Western recently crafted a special events space in the new Ronald D. Schmeichel Entrepreneurship and Innovation Centre (SEI). The multipurpose room was designed to host a wide variety of functions, ranging from keynote speeches to musical performances. However, the room’s architecture, which features extensive concrete, glass and high ceilings, presented significant acoustic challenges.  

Western University’s Classroom Technology Group partnered with leading experts in audio integration, ultimately selecting EM Acoustics’ Reference Series as its core solution. With the space intended to host high-profile speaking events, ceremonies and presentations, the emphasis was on implementing a system that would provide clear and uniform spee

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19 June 2025

USA - Long before the first Ultra Music fans began filing into downtown Miami’s Bayfront Park this March, the festival had already begun playing itself out in the mind of Patrick Dierson. “We started working on the pre-production process, several months out in advance and went over things again and again to get this right,” said the widely acclaimed designer and head of The Activity, who handles technical management for the iconic event’s main stage.

Working with technical producer, Ray Steinman, creative director, Richard Milstein, and the various vendors, Dierson started laying out plans for the technical infrastructure that would ultimately be needed to support all the festival’s guest LDs and their clients.

“The focus of our work is always on the guest technical teams and getting them everything they need to deliver their bes

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19 June 2025

UAE - Lou Agha’s system integration company, Exacting Diseno Technical Services, are gaining a reputation for installing premium Martin Audio sound systems in some of Dubai’s smartest upmarket bars and lounges.

Working closely with territorial distributors, Pro Lab, they recently equipped Coco Grill & Lounge for owner Naz Choudhury, whose concept is to integrate a Shisha Lounge with Dubai’s first Redemption Bar. It follows the operator’s initial launch of the Coco brand in London, overlooking Tower Bridge - and offers the same views from its downtown location, this time of the Burj Khalifa. All operations are alcohol-free, with upscale mocktail bars.

Lou Agha had been introduced to the project via a consultant. “When the client asked what sound systems I used, he was pleased it was Martin Audio, as this was the brand he was using in Lon

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19 June 2025

Canada - At the heart of Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) stands Chrysalis – a landmark 1,200-seat proscenium theatre housed in the historic Ryerson Theatre in downtown Toronto. As part of The Creative School, which encompasses 27 leading graduate and undergraduate programmes in media, communications, and design, Chrysalis is more than a performance space – it serves as a creative incubator.

Led by technical lead, Scott Martin, alongside director, Owais Lightwala and creative producer, Jasmine Au, Chrysalis is ‘reimagining live entertainment through the integration of emerging technologies and performance techniques’.

Its mission focuses on equipping students with the tools and methodologies that will define the next era of the industry. Martin’s role is central to achieving this vision. He oversees the implementation of technology sys

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19 June 2025

USA - In early 2025, the city of Hagerstown, MD, came together for an unforgettable evening of live music and community impact at the Ladders to Leaders Recovery Benefit Concert. Organised by Ladders to Leaders, a local non-profit that supports individuals in achieving lasting recovery, and powered by All Sound Pro, the benefit celebrated those transitioning from addiction to recovery and raised vital support for three local recovery homes operated by Ladders to Leaders.

“This concert was important to our community as it provided an evening to celebrate those who have faced the challenges of substance misuse and have succeeded in overcoming the issue,” said Alicia Divens, event organiser and board president of Ladders to Leaders. “Music is an amazing art form that has the ability to bring people together. The benefit concert was a huge success

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19 June 2025

USA - To honour the legacy of the Allman Brothers Band, the musical supergroup known as The Brothers recently returned to New York City’s storied Madison Square Garden for a pair of shows in April.

Led by former ABB guitarist and Gov’t Mule founder Warren Haynes and featuring drummer Jaimoe, the last surviving original member of the Allman Brothers Band, the ensemble also included former ABB guitarist Derek Trucks (nephew of ABB drummer the late Butch Trucks), bassist Oteil Burbridge, and percussionist Marc Quiñones, plus Joe Russo, Reese Wynans, and Isaac Eady, as well as special guest Chuck Leavell on piano.

It was an emotional reunion. The Brothers last played MSG in March 2020 to celebrate 50 years since the founding of the Allman Brothers Band.

Fortunately, some very 21st century technology was on hand for the two shows, in the form

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18 June 2025

South Africa - The Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre at the University of KwaZulu-Natal has upgraded its ageing Tungsten Fresnels to ETC Source Four LED engines, and has invested in Fresnel Adapters to provide soft beam lighting suitable for any stage configuration. The new fixtures were used for the first time in the production of Bodies of Water, a soulful contemporary dance work by Flatfoot Dance Company.

“The theatre had some Tungsten Source Fours that they wanted to upgrade,” explains Michael Taylor-Broderick from DWR Distribution’s Durban branch. “After an internal discussion with my colleague, Kevin Stannett, we suggested a solution that would give them the best bang for their buck.”

ETC’s smart retrofitting options include adapters that make its LED engines multi-purpose, allowing lens tubes to be swapped out to suit different ne