Meet the Polish family business striving to make the process of booking automation for live events as easy as booking lighting, audio and video by fostering a culture of inclusion and crafting products with flexibility and sustainability in mind. TPi’s Jacob Waite reports…
Author: Jacob Waite
It is no secret that one of the main factors in the success of any live event is preparation. The time to agree on a design can be crucial, with slight refinements or amendments taking anywhere from hours to days, or in some cases, weeks. As a result, when designers arrive at a venue, there is very little time left to experiment or margin for error. The solution? L8 software, which today – like its pre-visualisation counterparts – has become an integral part of show development for curators of live experiences, not least in lockdown. “L8 is an incredible software…
What was the main goal in the development of Alchemy 7? With Alchemy 7, we wanted to expand the range and offer a more powerful option that would deliver the same kind of quality in bigger venues. Adding a two-blade framing system and implementing the output power were important goals, but our main priority was offering the same high-quality lighting that the Alchemy series is acclaimed for, and confirming an extensive management of colours and whites. Which features will end users benefit from? The feature we’re probably most excited to introduce is Alchemy 7’s two-blade framing system with a 180°…
When was Li.LAC first developed? “Li.LAC was developed in 2020 by a team of touring sound engineers in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. They knew that when the sector could open up, there would be a requirement for COVID-19 safe equipment, particularly Li.LAC – a UV-C microphone disinfection system.” How does it work? “Li.LAC uses UV-C technology to disinfect. Over 99.99% of bacteria and viruses on the surface of a microphone are killed within five minutes. The disinfector has an irradiation chamber and steel grille optimised for disinfecting up to three microphones or radio mics and multiple lapel mic capsules.…
RCF celebrates a 25-year history of ART speakers with the introduction of the ninth generation of the series – ART 9. All models boast a 2,100W, two-channel Class-D amplifier with advanced DSP processing. 50% more powerful than previous models, ART 9 manages extremely high sound pressure levels. The amplifier is energy-efficient so there is no need for a cooling fan. The circuit is attached to a solid aluminium heat exchanger in the back of the unit with no moving parts. Performance improvements are assured by new RCF transducers, featuring advanced materials such as Kapton, Titanium, and Neodymium. The new 1.75″…
Montreal-based SoftBox Integration is the latest company to invest in Robe FORTE lighting fixtures. An investment driven by strategic business development, according to SoftBox Integration CEO, Michèle Pelletier. “The decision to purchase these, the first Robe products for SoftBox Integration, followed extensive comparative studies and research related to benchmark elements like the product’s longevity potential as a rental item – the FORTE light engine is fully and easily replaceable,” Pelletier said. “The team also solicited the advice and opinions of several leading lighting and visual designers working in several disciplines.” The order included 16 FORTES, six FORTE follow spots along…
What impact has COVID-19 had on your business? “It was a real shock. All of our jobs disappeared overnight. Although we’ve lived through recessions, ups and downs, nothing could prepare us for COVID-19. Our turnover in April was 5% of our usual income, so we have had to cut our overheads and sadly lose some members of staff. Thankfully, the furlough scheme and certain tax reliefs have allowed us to survive this tough time and come out with a more efficient and sustainable business.” How have you fared over the past 12 months? “We originally had around 50+ members of…
When it comes to the live events industry, COVID-19 has well and truly dominated the conversation. However, in any discussion about the future of touring, the inevitable topic of Brexit eventually rears its head, and that’s exactly the reason TPi was on the phone to KB Event’s Stuart McPherson. Like many within the industry, KB has experienced an incredibly hard time, and although diversifying, regrettably many elements of the company had to be mothballed while it rode out the COVID-19 storm. Yet in the past few months, McPherson and his team began working hard to ensure they were show ready…
On 24 June, LIVE and a range of theatre businesses, including Andrew Lloyd Webber, Cameron Mackintosh, Michael Harrison and Sonia Friedman, commenced legal proceedings against the UK government to force it to hand over the report of Phase 1 of the ERP. “We took legal action by filing a suit against the government to force it to release the results of the ERP, which had been running from May with broad sector support, to the point of paying to host some of the pilot events,” Parmley explained to TPi. Since then, LIVE was made privy to data which provides background…
“You posted a Black square, now what?” stated Nadu Placca, Founder of The Zoo XYZ and now author of a new report that highlights the lack of diversity within UK event trade bodies and associations. She spoke to TPi over Zoom on the eve of the release of a new report that aims to bring the conversation of diversity within the live events industry to the forefront and begin a dialogue that will lead to change that goes further than a post on social media. Among The Zoo XYZ’s findings, which looked into 16 UK event trade associations, the research…
Now in its sixth year, Haçienda Classical sees orchestral renditions of heritage Haçienda club tracks performed on stage with experimental orchestra, Manchester Camerata. As beneficiaries of the UK government’s Culture Recovery Fund (CRF), the event took place at Victoria Warehouse over the May Bank Holiday weekend with a socially distanced crowd of 123 people and a livestream audience donning their gladrags to witness a stellar line up of Graeme Park, DJ Paulette and Peter Hook take to the stage, with follow-up Sunday performances by Orbital Live, Jon Dasilva, A Guy Called Gerald Live and Justin Robertson. “We’ve done a lot…
It was a heavy blow to this year’s festival season when Glastonbury announced that its 2021 event would not be going ahead. While nothing could replace the in-person festival, organisers did not want another year to pass without giving their loyal fanbase something rather special. Inviting festival favourites including Coldplay, IDLES and Haim to play sets in some of Glastonbury’s most iconic spots, from the Stone Circle to the Pyramid stage, Live At Worthy Farm offered fans the chance to see the site in a whole new light. Talking TPi through the technical infrastructure behind the project was Emma Reynolds-Taylor,…
In late May, I received an email that read: “10,000-capacity, three-day, camping-only test event. Moshing allowed.” I can safely say in all of my time at TPi, I’ve never replied to a PR email quicker. The thought of seeing and hearing some of the UK’s best rock and metal bands on stage, after 15 months away from live music, was one I simply could not miss. At the risk of stating the obvious, Download Pilot was part of the second phase of the government-backed test events that looked to build evidence on the effect of bringing larger crowds together. The…
Having converted what was a top-floor meeting room in Manchester into a flourishing, forward-thinking livestream recording space, independent music label, Scruff of the Neck joined forces with Twitch to pioneer digital live sets with local artists amid the COVID-19 pandemic, enlisting the technical infrastructure and expertise of Blackmagic Design to capture the action. Described as a ‘groundbreaking, forward-thinking partnership’ which supports the creative production of regular broadcasts, Scruff of the Neck labelheads turned to Blackmagic Design to broadcast live performances, interviews and features as part of an official Twitch partnership with ATEM Mini Extreme and Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K…
ACT Entertainment has announced the appointment of David Johnson to the new post of Senior Vice President Sales. “When we rebranded as ACT Entertainment, it was clear that we needed strong leadership in the sales department to bring all our world-class sales forces together across the organisation and ensure their continued success and the high level of customer service we’re known for,” said ACT Entertainment CEO, Ben Saltzman. “David has 30 years experience in the industry and is a proven team leader. He’s well liked and has a broad knowledge of all the disciplines ACT Entertainment operates in: He knows…
Ambassador Theatre Group (ATG) has revealed a first look at the new, multi-purpose entertainment venue, Swansea Arena, via a state-of-the-art digital fly-through, and brand-new CGI images. The striking new visuals introduce audiences and businesses, across Swansea, South Wales, and beyond, to the statement design and striking architecture of the upcoming venue, showing how it is situated within the inviting £135m Copr Bay Phase One development, and highlighting the coastal park and LED facade. Also featured is the contemporary new pedestrian bridge, designed in collaboration with local artist Marc Rees and award-winning architect group ACME with references that celebrate the city’s…
Ambassador Theatre Group’s (ATG) Stockton Globe, is launching Live at The LINK, a programme designed to support local and emerging artists on 15 July from 5:30pm (BST). The event, streaming live from Stockton Globe’s little sibling, and adjoining venue, The LINK will be hosted by Rianne Thompson (BBC Music Introducing) and will feature live performances and exclusive chats with local singer songwriters Luke Royalty and Jodie Nicholson and hip-hop artist Shakk in front of a studio audience, as well as an insightful ‘in conversation’ with General Manager Jo Ager about the future of the venue and the programme. The LINK…
The AV Alliance has announced the launch of its first-ever hybrid event showcase, which will take place on 15 July 2021. Designed to provide empowering education into today’s virtual event capabilities, members of the global audio-visual company network will come together from across the world to demonstrate how venues and event organisers can deliver inspiring event experiences and engage delegates through awe-inspiring hybrid formats. Supported by Eclipse, the event will commence with a panel discussion surrounding the client experience in the age of hybrid, before delving into today’s shows-topping virtual event studios, platforms and the evolvement of mixed reality to…
