Funktion-One bids farewell to Bill Woods as he announces his retirement following 11 years with the company and 35 years in the pro audio industry. Woods’ departure marks the beginning of a new chapter for Funktion-One as the company welcomes its new Director of Business Development, Andrew Low. During his time with Funktion-One, Woods has played an important role in the company’s international growth, particularly in Asia. His sales expertise and rapport with customers have helped to develop relationships across the global Funktion-One network and throughout the wider pro audio industry. Funktion-One’s Ann Andrews said: “Bill’s retirement comes with mixed…
Author: James Robertson
After an incredible response to its new DDK4000 Drum Microphone Kit, DPA Microphones launches several new professional sound microphone kits. The new kits provide audio engineers with the ultimate selection of high-quality condenser mics for a range of purposes. With DPA mics in-use everywhere from stage to screen, the brand has created bundles of its popular solutions, including the DLK4000 Live Microphone Kit, DSK4001 Studio Microphone Kit, DRK4001 Ultimate Recording Kit and DLS4000 Location Sound Kit. Designed with durability and versatility at the top of its requirements, the kits will fill a vital role for sound professionals. “We are excited…
Metalica launched their M72 World Tour April 27 in Amsterdam with Rob Koenig again at the helm as lighting designer, an outing that has the thrash rockers playing a unique two-night, no-repeat schedule in cities across Europe and North America. Koenig crafts unique lighting looks using 600+ automated lights, a rig that includes Proteus Excalibur sky beams from Elation Professional. Lighting supply is by Premier Global Production. Koenig, a big Metallica fan growing up, has been part of the Metallica family since 2008. He started as lighting director under John Broderick, eventually moved into the lighting designer role and is now…
2023 saw the 50th anniversary of Tubular Bells, the iconic piece created by the acclaimed British musician Mike Oldfield that was originally released in May 1973 as the first album on Virgin Records. To celebrate, Oldfield’s creation was once again brought to life through a captivating tour spanning over 30 venues across the UK this spring. Spearheaded by Robin Smith, Mike Oldfield’s collaborator and the musical director of the show, a mesmerising live rendition of Tubular Bells was performed by a talented ensemble of musicians. Show Works, a UK production company with an expertise in delivering immersive installations, musicals, tours,…
Network of Women In Events has announced its inaugural Board of Advisors. NOWIE was founded in 2013, adopted a newly constituted committee and team in late 2021 and the Board of Advisors marks the next step in its growth. The Board’s specialisms include Diversity and Inclusion, PR, Organisational Operations, Fundraising, HR and more. NOWIE Chair Cat Kevern said: “we are thrilled to be working with these industry leaders, whose experience and guidance will help us on a strategic level to achieve our ambitious goals for NOWIE”. She continued: “our volunteer team is incredible and I’m excited to see how we…
ASM Global, event strategy and operator of the first direct Arena in Leeds, along with Boldyn Networks, have announced the creation of the UK’s first 5G neutral host arena. This collaboration will bring high-speed, high-capacity mobile connectivity throughout the entire first direct Arena, revolutionising the visitor experience. The announcement marks another step in the partnership between ASM Global and Boldyn Network to bring cutting-edge connectivity solutions to leading entertainment venues around the world. Designed and installed by Boldyn Networks, the new 5G multi-carrier wireless network will enhance the experience for fans attending events at the 13,000-capacity award-winning venue, an integral…
“I wish people would put their phones down and take in the moment,” said Drew Hornback, touring lighting director for country music singer/songwriter Scotty McCreery. While reflecting on the recently wrapped Damn Strait Tour, Hornback said that he understands concertgoers want to capture the memories of seeing the talented McCreery on stage. However, he believes that audience members always get the best experience by simply soaking in the experience with their eyes and ears. “The way we created artistic moments using the X-Laser Skywriters in tandem with other lights made the show a breathtaking experience. We got reactions from the…
Maxi Gilbert says that he draws inspiration for his designs from opera sets. At first that may seem a bit surprising, since the Madrid-based designer has created lightshows for stars like multi-Grammy winner Alejandro Sanz, and chart-topping Manuel Carrasco. But anyone who sees his work on Carrasco’s current Corazón y Flecha tour will readily appreciate the connection. Like opera itself, Gilbert’s design for the 30-city Spanish tour is bold, ambitious, passionate, full of life, and oh so very easy to get swept up in. With it’s massive center stage video wall and giant inflatable heart pierced by an arrow (16m…
The live finals of American Idol 2023 moved to a new venue – Red Studios Hollywood – giving lighting designer Tom Sutherland of DX7 design and production designer Florian Wieder the chance to create a fresh and exciting new look in this special space, which has embraced history and innovation in film and TV production since the early 20th century. Sutherland included plenty of Robe moving lights on his lighting plot, including 137 x MegaPointes, now a near iconic luminaire about which he states, “I would not do a show without MegaPointes”. Robe’s original multi-tasking MegaPointe is an international favorite…
Known for its media control solutions, HIVE has announced the relaunch of its brand with a new look, a new website and the appointment of several new staff members. The relaunch comes at a significant time, as HIVE moves into a new 3500 square-foot office space in Horsham and expands its sales channels internationally. Over the past few years, HIVE has established itself as a leading provider of video playback solutions, with a reputation built upon successful collaborations with industry giants such as Panasonic on projects such as Frameless London and the National Museum of Qatar. “The re-brand reflects the…
Andrew Allen has been appointed Product & Marketing Director, a new role at Audient. In addition to heading up the marketing department, he is now overseeing product for both Audient & EVO lines, with immediate effect. Audient owner, Simon Blackwood said: “Technological innovation is moving incredibly fast these days and we want to ensure we’re perfectly positioned to capture emerging markets and technologies, as well as allow continued development of our world class products. So we’re extremely pleased to announce the restructuring of our director team to align product and marketing into one role under Andrew Allen’s direction as Audient…
Loyle Carner played his biggest hometown concert to date with equipment, technical support and personnel from Britannia Row Productions. FOH Engineer INBLOOM and Monitor Engineer Michael Njuguna have been integral in the development of BRIT Award nominee, Loyle Carner’s, step into full band and production touring. “This campaign centres around the new record Hugo, a real shift from his previous albums and DJ tours,” stated INBLOOM. This shift delighted critics; the album scored multiple 5-star reviews, with the Guardian declaring it ‘a beautiful, blistering masterpiece.’ Working closely with Musical Director Avi Barath and a new five-piece band in combination with…
Sennheiser has announced that Alex Snape, a talented first-year student of the BA (Hons) Sound Technology course, has been selected as the deserving recipient of the prestigious Sennheiser 2023 LIPA Scholarship. As part of the scholarship, Snape will receive a financial bursary for his tuition, gain access to Sennheiser’s vast network of contacts, and benefit from the audio specialist’s unparalleled industry experience, expertise, and mentorship. Snape, who was born and raised in North Wales, considers the opportunity to study at LIPA to be a dream come true. “It almost feels wrong to ask for more!” he exclaims. “Being able to…
The beginning of June 2023 marked four months since the launch of The Power of Events. The prime focus has been on the platform itself, providing a single destination dedicated to showcasing all seven core sectors of the UK events industry, as well as profiling the essential industry community. From a standing start, over 25K unique visitors have to date visited the platform since launch, with hugely positive feedback. It has seen consistent engagement with the podcast listings and the events calendar, which are fast becoming essential resources for many eventprofs in the UK events industry. Helping do all of…
Matthieu Larivée and the team at Lüz Studio created one of the final shows in Reba McEntire’s current tour at Madison Square Garden. The Montreal based design and production team, which included David Rondeau, Pierre-Luc Bedard, and LD Andy Knighton, wove a beautifully textured narrative to reflect the multi-Grammy winner’s music by using a range of different techniques, most of them centered on employing lighting and set extensions as storytelling tools. “This show is a great music show; it is not theatrical at all, so lighting is a big actor in the narrative,” said Larivée. “We wanted to create lighting…
Southern California Sound Image has appointed Jesse Adamson as President. Dave Shadoan will step out of the President’s role and continue his duties as CEO for the company. Adamson joined Sound Image in 2013 as the Director of Business Development. Prior to this, Jesse held the position of Vice President at Adamson Systems Engineering. “Jesse is a talented young executive who knows how our company operates in detail. I’m proud to announce Jesse’s promotion and I couldn’t ask for a better successor. I have been grooming him for the chair, for some time now.” said Dave Shadoan, Sound Image’s CEO. “He is…
When it comes to lighting, Lorna Shore and their LD, Nate Haber, have one edict that they’re pretty strict about: limit the use of front light. “The band and I have come up with a few guidelines regarding front light,” said Haber. “In no particular order it goes something like this: the default is that they have no front light. Also, we try to keep Austin and his drum set as lit as possible. When Adam has a guitar solo he always needs light; and when Will is talking to the crowd, he needs light too. There are a few…
In celebration of the coronation of King Charles III on 6 May 2023, Palace of Westminster in London was illuminated in the iconic colours of the Union Jack – red, white, and blue. The home of the UK Parliament is a worldwide famous building dating from 1840 with iconic architecture. To illuminate the Gothic-style exterior facade in the national colours, lighting designer David Bishop chose a total of 74 units of Cameo ZENIT W600 LED Wash Lights, supplied by Version 2 Lights. The IP65-rated ZENIT W600 fixtures were placed at the base of the building’s facade over a width of…
