Evolving from the Live Event Summit, which was hosted for three years at ISE, the Live Events Stage was created to provide a space on the tradeshow floor for free content covering a wide array of topics from the world of entertainment. Not only that, the stage offers a platform for some of the event’s most distinguished practitioners.
Managing Editor of TPi, Stew Hume, was responsible for curating the content, welcoming back headline sponsor MA Lighting. In the opening session, the company’s Managing Director, Stephan Saremba shared his thoughts on the state of the live events sector and how MA Lighting continues to elevate its service.
This year saw Ross Video join as the day sponsor. The company’s Business Development Director for Experiential Technologies, Mike Steinbrecher, interviewed Patrick Verhey, Director of Media R&D and Training at LMG Systems, who discussed the Innovation Vertex AV production suite and how it is empowering the company to deliver some of today’s most striking and ambitious projects.
One of the goals of the Live Events Stage is to provide insight into some of the world’s most incredible shows.The first day saw several members of the wider Oasis Live ’25 team shared insights into the tour’s technical aspects. Sound System Engineer, Josh Lloyd, representatives from Universal Pixels, Mark Strange, and Peter Holdich from Star Live, who created the stage for the production.
The three individuals provided insight into how the tour came together and the collaboration between departments. TPi heard from Tony Smith, long-time Audio System Designer for Coldplay, who spoke about the band’s Music of the Spheres tour.
From audio to video, Jack Banks, Video Director for Mumford & Sons, was on site outlining his approach to live footage during the band’s Rushmere campaign.
It wasn’t just the world of live touring that featured on the stage. Julien Pateau, CEO and Founder of Lab 2580 – Executive Producer for the pre-match ceremonies of the FIFA World Cup this summer – provided insight into how large-scale, opening ceremony-style events come together.
The Live Events Stage too featured guest curation of several sessions. MONDO-DR Editor, Todd Staszko oversaw two sessions with Anders Jørgensen, Project Executive at Stouenborg, who discussed his work at the Avicii Arena, followed by a packed session with Cirque du Soleil’s Director of Technical Design, Simon Lachance, who discussed the company’s latest residency in Berlin.
MONDO-DR Assistant Editor, Daisy Thorogood, also took to the stage, welcoming a panel of experts from the cruise ship sector to discuss innovations in entertainment technology on the high seas. The panel featured Paul Byrne of EWP, Matt DeJong of Royal Caribbean Group and Caitlyn Luc from Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings.
Meanwhile, Frame:work’s Laura Frank coordinated two sessions. The first saw her interview the talented Tito Sabatini, Show Director at Duo2 from Brazil, who shared insights into how he has utilised video in several of his latest projects.
This was followed by a session overseen by Pawel ‘Spider’ Pajak of Percepto, who took a deep dive into the world of drone technology, welcoming Darrel ‘Daz’ Jamieson of Worldwide Shows, Dubai, alongside Denis Kornilovich of LumaSky. In addition, the Live Events Stage hosted several large panels in which experts from across the industry tackled major issues facing their respective sectors.
The audio roundtable featured Pieter Doms of Noizboyz and co-founder of Areal, d&b audiotechnik’s Michael Kinzel, and JOYNED’s Fabian Braun.
The lighting discussion brought together High Scream’s Romain Pissenem, lighting designers Sam Parry and Sergi Prat, Marfa Lights’ Andrius Stasiulis and Creative Technology’s Sam Connolly. Meanwhile, the video panel included Video Director Jack Banks alongside CuePilot’s Danny Hodgetts, Ross Video’s Martin Kuhn, Creative Technology’s Tom Burford, and Satore Studio’s Tupac Martir.
Other notable sessions included 50 Years of Audio, in which several team members from Britannia Row Productions walked through the company’s five-decade history; developments in the rental market with PRG’s Bob Walpot, TAZAAR’s Lisa Stafford and Rentman’s Roy van den Broek (pictured above); sustainability experts Axelle Meunier of L-Acoustics and Andy Land of Focusrite Group outlined how manufacturers could be on the front foot of a greener future, while the team from Production Park spoke about the innovations taking place at its Wakefield site.
Finally, TPi explored the development of emerging entertainment markets around the globe with DWR Distribution’s Duncan Riley, Creative Technology’s Andy Reardon and Rock-it Cargo’s Chris Palmer.
Over the coming months, TPi will be releasing footage from several of the talks across socials. If you are interested in being part of next year’s programme, get in touch.
Photo: TPi Magazine
