In a career spanning more than 40 years, professional audio veteran, Danny Kitainik has seen, done and heard it all, providing sound engineering services at countless high-profile festivals, events, tours and West End theatre shows, alongside running a successful AV installation, hire and events technology business. So when the time came to invest in a new rental sound system at UK-based Serenityaudio, the company’s owner knew exactly what he wanted. “For us, it’s all about delivering big festival sound and production values at smaller, often community-based events” said Kitainik. “The decision to go with NEXO was a combination of build…
Author: Jacob Waite
Utrecht’s TivoliVredenburg music complex recently hosted a live session by celebrated Dutch musician, Niels Broos, with an effects-rich lighting design by Jolijn van Iersel using the features of Vari-Lite VL5LED WASH, VL10 BEAMWASH and VL6500 WASH luminaires from Signify. Widely regarded as one of the most creative jazz and electronic music keyboard players of our day, Broos’ performance saw renditions of some of his biggest hits as well as improvised, immersive sound design pieces. It was part of the Gaudeamus festival – staged for young music pioneers – and was streamed to fans. “Niels wanted something special for the show,…
The Thursford Christmas Spectacular upgraded to a Shure Axient Digital Wireless system for its run of 2021 shows. The show used 26 head microphones and 10 handheld transmitters for its singers, which enabled the choreography team to position performers anywhere on the stage or within the auditorium. A further 26 belt packs accommodated the majority of the orchestra’s instruments. There’s no orchestra pit at Thursford, so the musicians perform from multiple locations around the stage and venue. Head of Sound at The Thursford Christmas Spectacular, Kieran Lowe commented: “We started using Axient Digital in September 2021. We use 70 RF…
Green Hippo has welcomed Midwich as a new distributor for Green Hippo products across the United Kingdom and Ireland regions. Adding to its wide range of solutions, Midwich will distribute the full range of Green Hippo Hippotizer media servers. “We are excited to announce our relationship with Midwich for fixed installation projects in the UK and Ireland. Our goal is to continue developing the growth of Green Hippo product lines within the install market. With an award-winning solutions provider like Midwich, we can’t wait to see the next set of impressive projects,” said Frithjof Becker, EMEA Sales Director, Green Hippo…
RH Consulting has been counting networked audio products and licensees since 2013 in an effort to chart the adoption of audio networking in the pro audio, AV and broadcast markets. The report covers all the major protocols including Dante, RAVENNA, AES67, AVB, Milan and others. This year, for the first time, the report has broadened its scope to include networked video and control products using AES70, SDVoE and ST 2110, among others. The statistics show that the number of networked AV products continues to grow, despite the difficulties of the past two years in the face of the global pandemic.…
For the second consecutive year, Singapore welcomed the new year with Shine a Light, a light display that illuminated the Marina Bay skyline featuring 60 Claypaky Mythos 2 spot and beam lights arrayed in a circular formation around The Promontory. Shine a Light was part of the iconic Marina Bay Singapore Countdown 2022 presented by the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) in support of the Singapore Together movement. It is also a collaboration with local philanthropic organisation The Majurity Trust to raise funds for people struggling in the community. The light display represented strength in diversity as Singaporeans supported one another…
One of East London’s most versatile venues, Troxy, has revealed the appointment of Julian ‘Jools’ Butterfield as Operations Manager. With over 25 years of experience within the event industry and over two decades experience in managerial roles, Butterfield will be providing insight and invaluable experience from the ground up, already cementing himself as an outstanding addition to the company. Butterfield will be making the transition from his most recent role as Senior Festivals Manager Vision Nine at Vision Nine. His responsibilities lay as Event Manager for the NASS festival, Assistant Event Manager for Boardmasters festival and the overall creation of…
While no NFL franchise has ever been victorious three Super Bowls in a row, PixMob scored its third consecutive Super Bowl win at the Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show. The Montreal-based firm were challenged to develop immersive illumination technology that would not just function but enthral the audience at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, California. The solution? Enter NOVA, a new family of PixMob products. PixMob provided 70,000 NOVA-powered LED laminates to all live audience members as well as the halftime show field cast of dancers, extras, etc. during performances by Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige and…
Sonoma County-based sound company, Prairie Sun Live has grown its inventory to notably include d&b audiotechnik J- and Q-Series loudspeaker systems and DiGiCo SD-Range mixing consoles, including the SD9, SD10 and SD7T in recent years. Now, Prairie Sun Live has further deepened its commitment to DiGiCo’s mixing platform by upgrading its SD7T to a Quantum7T with the addition of a new Quantum engine. “I purchased my SD7T from the West End of London seven years ago and have rented it out for many events locally and nationally thanks to its Theatre-specific ‘T’ software package,” Prairie Sun Live’s Mark ‘Mooka’ Rennick…
To celebrate the tenth anniversary of Bon Iver’s eponymous sophomore album, Bon Iver, Bon Iver, frontman Justin Vernon and his band brought the album to life in its entirety, plus additional material, with a pair of immersive live shows dubbed Sincerely Grateful at the new YouTube Theater at Hollywood Park using L-ISA technology. Not only did this exclusive two-day event mark the first concerts that the group had performed in more than a year and a half, but it also represented the first official worldwide deployment of the new L-Acoustics L-ISA Processor II. Using this next-generation 3D audio processing engine,…
Rich Rowley has been appointed the General Manager of Solotech’s Redditch facility. He joins with 30 years’ experience in the live productions industry. Reporting to UK Managing Director, Bryce Jewell, Rowley will oversee operations supporting the live productions, sales and systems Integration business for Solotech’s UK companies, including SSE Audio, Wigwam, Capital Sound and BCS Audio. Rowley previously held roles as Director at XL Video and as Chief Sales Officer for PRG in the UK. Most recently, he has been General Manager at Adlib, where he helped oversee the company’s transition from an audio supplier to a full 360° audio,…
Not for Profit organisation A Greener Festival (AGF) has revealed the results of its green event certification for 2021, which highlights festivals and events striving to reduce waste and emissions and enhance equality and ecosystems and commends those who have achieved high standards in sustainability and reduced their environmental impact. Launched in 2007, the AGF Awards is a pioneering certification setting the standard for sustainable events. Each application involves a detailed self assessment, on-site independent audit, post event supporting evidence analysis, and recommendations for improvements. The standards have been developed over 15 years in consultation with 1000s of events, event…
Optimal Audio has appointed Exertis ProAV as a distributor in the US. In announcing the appointment of Exertis ProAV, Optimal Audio Vice President America, Lee Stein noted: “We’ve made tremendous strides in expanding our global footprint through distribution agreements with strategically placed partners around the world. The appointment of Exertis ProAV in the United States represents another major step forward in this expansion. Exertis’s expertise in specialist distribution, combined with the unparalleled reach of its reseller network, is going to help us achieve our growth objectives in the United States.” Exertis ProAV Senior Vice President, Jeff Willis commented: “The genius…
Nico Laska presented his debut album, NI/CO, at a sold-out event at the Frankfurt club, Nachtleben. Bringing the German pop singer’s show to life was Lighting Designer and Operator, Patrick Rabus, a friend of the musician. In order to give the small basement club an atmosphere worthy of the occasion, Rabus turned to GLP JDC Line and FUSION Exo Wash fixtures. “The Nachtleben is a typical basement club, with everything that basement clubs have to offer: low ceilings with nowhere to hang lamps, limited power availability, and very spartan house lights,” commented Rabus. “And then I come in with my…
With the COVID-19 pandemic putting a halt to touring weeks after their latest album release, Suddenly, Canadian composer and musician, Dan Snaith returned to the road in November 2021 with a string of dates across North America, Europe and the UK as a four-piece live act, accompanied by FOH Engineer, Christos Gogos. The requirements for the live show included the ability to run FOH and IEMs from a single console and, critically, that the console was small enough to travel with the band. “When we decided with the band to take our own desk on tour, my first choice was…
The Japanese city of Chiba, which stands on Tokyo Bay recently hosted the first two days of uP!!! Special Live Holic extra 2022, supported by Space Shower TV in its huge Makuhari Messe complex. The event featured an impressive cast of sixteen key Japanese rock bands, including Androp, Straightener, Blue Encount and Orange Range. Try Audio Japan fielded an Outline sound system for the high profile live event. The two main hangs comprised 12 Outline GTO plus three Mantas on downfill duty per side, while side hangs consisted in 16 Outline Butterfly per side. Bottom-end punch was ensured by a…
Side Door has partnered with SXSW in a project aptly titled Side Door to SXSW, which will book curated tours for six selected SXSW showcasing artists travelling to Austin, Texas for this year’s festival and conference. Each touring experience will be documented along the road, culminating with an official Side Door to SXSW showcase on 18 March 2022 at the Drafting Room. It can be challenging for artists to afford the expense of getting to SXSW, let alone generate interest for their showcases. In partnership with SXSW, Side Door will work with selected artists and their teams to set up…
Swansea Arena has announced two pre-launch test events curated by Swansea Music Hub (The Swansea Fringe) on Friday 25 February and Saturday 26 February 2022. The Housewarming test events will see eleven amazing homegrown acts grace the Arena’s stage, including a homecoming headline show from Trampolene, with support from The Now, Inscape and The Vega Bodegas on the Friday, while Prosperina top Saturday’s bill with back-up provided by The Orange Circus Band, Cities, Fallen Temples, Pearler, King Goon and Lost Tuesday Society. These test shows precede a launch programme at Swansea Arena that includes shows from Royal Blood, Alice Cooper…
