From a history of live shows that include some of the most talked about events of all time, Woodstock, US Live Aid, the NYC New Year’s Eve ball drop, to some of the most renowned tours ever, including Bruce Springsteen’s The Rising Tour, Lenny Kravitz’ Always On The Run Tour and Heart’s Royal Flush Tour, JBL Professional’s history is steeped in legacy. Inviting guests to celebrate its birthday, JBL Professional had a jam-packed line-up for those in attendance. From an immersive walk through eight decades of history and even further back through founder of the company, James B. Lansing’s past…
Author: Alicia Pollitt
How did your interest in live events develop? “My interest in live events really grew from a passion for music and creativity. Early on, I was fascinated not just by the performances themselves, but by everything happening behind the scenes, how tours are organised, how crews move from city to city, and the logistics that make it all possible. I’ve also always known I’m far better behind the scenes than on stage, as anyone who’s heard me try to clap along to a beat or sing would attest to. So for me, being able to play a part in supporting…
Covering this tour stands as one of the most full-circle moments of my life, both professionally and personally. The first issue I worked on had Love On Tour as the cover story – making it even more special was the fact that I had just spent that summer following the tour across Europe and the UK with friends that I had met because of, or at Harry Styles shows. All of this to say, nearly three years to the date, I hopped on a plane over to Amsterdam to interview his crew myself. From the home of Ajax Football Club,…
With over 30 years of experience designing and manufacturing bespoke precision stage engineering hardware, Andolite International has recently come under new management, modernising and optimising the production process while committing to the same standards of quality that long-time customers expect. The company is known for products designed, wired, and tested in-house to meet the rigorous demands of live events and permanent installations. From bespoke IWB systems and high-current relay panels to transit cases and custom cabling solutions, the manufacturer has long been a household name in the industry. David Edmunds, who will join Andolite International as Managing Director at the…
During London Climate Action Week 2026, A Greener Future (AGF) is uniting London’s sustainability leaders to highlight the city’s pioneering role in driving green innovation and best practice within live events. Working across some of the city’s most iconic festivals and venues, which have achieved AGF Certification, including ABBA Voyage, American Express present BST Hyde Park, The O2 and OVO Arena Wembley – AGF are at the forefront of London’s greener live future, working hard behind the scenes to make it measurable and scalable. “Real change is already happening across London’s live sector, supporting the City’s ambition to become a…
Bradford College has announced a major new partnership with Production Park and Academy of Live Technology (ALT), anchored by its flagship Producing Academy, to create industry-leading training and employment pathways into the UK’s fast-growing creative and live events sectors. The three organisations signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to deliver a collaborative programme of skills, training and progression opportunities, with a strong focus on supporting young people aged 16 – 24. At the heart of the partnership is The Producing Academy at Bradford College — a specialist Level 3 programme designed to prepare students for careers in creative production, live events and digital…
HTS Creative has expanded its staging capabilities with the addition of a custom-configured MILOS MR2K Keder 16 x 12 metre roof system, the largest staging structure in the company’s fleet to date. The system made its debut at St Mary’s Stadium, Southampton, supporting McFly as they headlined in front of tens of thousands of fans alongside Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Scouting for Girls at one of the south coast’s standout live music events of the summer. The new MR2K 16-metre roof system represents a significant expansion of HTS Creative’s staging and production capabilities. Featuring an impressive 14,500kg main grid payload, the…
Neg Earth Lights is committed to community, whether that’s within its own team, the local area, or the wider live events industry. Building strong communities allows Neg Earth to connect people across the sector by creating opportunities for underrepresented groups and supporting the next generation of talent. While the live events industry is diverse in its range of roles, technical positions have historically been dominated by men, which can make the industry feel less accessible and welcoming to those who do not fit that description. With up to 97% of technical roles still male-dominated, it is important to advocate for…
Absen has announced a full upgrade to its global showroom booking system, making it easier for customers and partners to schedule visits to the company’s growing international network of showrooms. Designed to deliver an intuitive and user-friendly experience, the refreshed platform supports Absen’s wider strategy of deepening brand localisation and strengthening offline service capabilities in key markets worldwide. Over the past year, Absen has continued to expand its global showroom footprint, opening new sites and brand factory stores across the Americas, EMEA and APAC. Newly added locations include Los Angeles, Mexico and Denver in the Americas; Morocco and Saudi Arabia…
Ayrton has announced the official launch of RawBeam 350, its brand-new laser-sourced ultra-compact fixture. RawBeam 350 is a compact, flat-beam fixture with the same footprint and dimensions as Diablo. It delivers ultra-intense beams with a output of over 1,340,000 lux at 10m, features a 160mm front lens and a proprietary 13-lens optical system that offers a 40:1 zoom ratio and an operating span from 1.1° to 45°. Ayrton’s legendary infinite Pan & Tilt rotation features and a Short Cut function multiply the possibilities for creating impressive, complex effects. Sharing all the features common to Ayrton’s Ultimate Series in terms of…
Clear-Com has introduced Avalon, a purpose-built 1RU IP intercom communication platform for modern networked production, designed to simplify and scale workflows across broadcast, live events and production environments. Avalon supports FreeSpeak wireless beltpacks, HelixNet digital partyline, V-Series, and I.V. Direct within a compact 1RU form factor. The platform features scalable licensed port capacity and flexible IP interfacing, allowing users to configure systems based on current operational needs and expand over time without replacing hardware. Designed for fully IP-based intercom environments, Avalon provides a streamlined alternative for users who do not require analog audio connectivity. The platform combines scalable licensed port architecture…
NOWIE has launched a second survey following findings that one in four women in the £60bn events industry reported sexual assault last year. The Network of Women in Events CIC (NOWIE) has announced the launch of the second edition of the NOWIE Big Survey- a major UK-wide research project examining the experiences of women working across the events, live entertainment, music and festival industries. The initiative comes at a time when the sector represents a £60 billion UK industry, spanning weddings, conferences, exhibitions, corporate events, festivals, and large-scale mega events, underscoring the scale and economic importance of the workforce being…
Waves and Midas has announced ProLink integration for Midas HD96 consoles and Waves SuperRack. ProLink is Waves’ forward-thinking console integration protocol — and with the latest update of the Waves SuperRack SoundGrid and SuperRack Performer platforms, it is now available for the Midas HD96, bringing a faster, more powerful, and more seamless workflow with Waves. Many Midas HD96 users rely on Waves SuperRack and Waves plugins as part of their console workflow. With this update, that relationship becomes even more powerful. ProLink establishes a direct connection between the Midas HD96 and SuperRack — making the console itself the primary interface…
PRG has announced a significant investment in new lighting technology from Ayrton Lighting, further expanding its North American inventory with the addition of 500 Ayrton EagleStrike fixtures and 300 Ayrton Veloce Profile fixtures. Building on previous investments in both product lines, the acquisition reflects continued demand for high-performance lighting solutions across music touring, Broadway, television productions, and large-scale corporate events. The Ayrton EagleStrike is the manufacturer’s newest high-impact fixture, launched late last year. Designed for music touring and large-scale live events, EagleStrike is the first LED-source fixture engineered in Ayrton’s product line that’s engineered for outdoor use at long distances.…
The 18th edition of the now world-famous Seoul Jazz Festival took place over four stages in the South Korean capital’s Olympic Park last in May 2026. A vibrant celebration of jazz and contemporary music, the festival features a diverse lineup of over 60 artists, including international stars as well as Korean acts. This year’s headliners included fourteen-time Grammy winner Herbie Hancock, seven-time Grammy-winner Jon Batiste and ten-time Grammy-nominated Janelle Monáe performing in the 15,000 capacity KSPO Dome where local NEXO rental partner Way Audio rigged left and right side-by-side hangs of 15 NEXO STM M46 Main and 15 STM B112…
Gorillaz, partway through an epic world tour, are utilising a DiGiCo Quantum 852 at front of house and another at the monitor position, both supplied by Entec Sound and Light. Engineers Matt Butcher and Dave Guerin can cope with anything the show throws at them. Entec Sound and Light supply the full audio package and additional crew for the BRIT and Grammy-winning virtual band’s world tour in support of chart-topping new album The Mountain. With multiple different guest performers joining Damon Albarn and the Gorillaz live band on stage every night, even the DiGiCo Quantum 852 is pushed to the…
Leisuretec has been appointed UK Distribution Partners of MAGIC FX, globally recognised manufacturers of high-quality special effects solutions for live events, installations and productions. This appointment reflects MAGIC FX’s ongoing commitment to strengthening its UK presence, ensuring customers have access to a more streamlined and responsive distribution model. By working with Leisuretec, MAGIC FX can provide a more localised approach to stock availability, technical support and customer service, while continuing to build momentum across its wider international sales. This new partnership strengthens Leisuretec’s growing portfolio of professional audio, lighting and video brands, enabling trade customers across the UK to access…
AUDIX has announced the appointment of Sam Vitali to the position of Director of Sales – European Markets. In his new role, Vitali will oversee sales, marketing, and operations within the EMEA region to ensure the brand is optimally represented and supported across Europe. Vitali brings a wealth of experience across sales, marketing, and operations within the music technology industry. He joins AUDIX following a highly successful tenure at Focusrite, where he started in sales admin and eventually worked alongside their Sales Director on the commercial aspects of the business. Vitali played a valuable role as the Focusrite Group grew…
