From the time lockdown was announced, artists have been releasing footage of themselves to their fans across the globe – but as we move into July and measures begin to relax, most will agree that there is now somewhat of an expectation of a higher production values. As much as a smartphone on a tripod of books filming the front room might have cut it back in March, fans are increasingly looking for something a bit more professional. First out of the gate during the pandemic were several solutions from major rental houses, re-purposing their warehouse spaces for multiuse streaming…
Author: Jacob Waite
While the live event experience we are accustomed to is rapidly innovating, US-based inventor and artist, Jorge Perdomo has unveiled his latest project – The Fluffy Cloud, dubbed the world’s first touring venue and a uniquely COVID-19 friendly live experience, which may offer a model for live entertainment to bounce back sooner than expected. https://issuu.com/mondiale/docs/tpijul20_digitallr/20 Photos: The Fluffy Cloud www.thefluffycloud.org
Over the past few months, we have seen exponential growth in streaming culture in the world of live music as well as the level of production that has gone into a number of fantastic shows. However, last month the city of Copenhagen played host to an event that took the content to a whole new level – the roof, to be exact. https://issuu.com/mondiale/docs/tpijul20_digitallr/18 Photos: DPA Soundco www.dpasoundco.dk
With a fiercely loyal fanbase across the globe, Faith No More have been a mainstay of the alternative-rock scene for many years and, since reforming back in 2009, the band has enjoyed a great level of success touring, and headlining numerous festival slots. Since reigniting the flames at the tail-end of the noughties, there has been a constant roster of men and women working tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure Mike Patton and the band get to each venue and their stage shows meet fans’ lofty expectations night after night. https://issuu.com/mondiale/docs/tpijul20_digitallr/8 Photos: Faith No More www.fnm.com/crew-relief
Hosted by pop duo Bathiya and Santhush, BNS Drive-in Concerts was the first live music experience since the COVID-19 outbreak for both Sri Lanka and South Asia, with Universal Sound Productions providing an audio backbone including an array of JBL Professional VerTec Series loudspeakers. The large-scale events, was held at the Colombo International Airport and enforced strict health and security guidelines. https://issuu.com/mondiale/docs/tpijul20_digitallr/17 Photo: Chamal Goonawardena www.pro.harman.com
Marking the company’s first foray into the return of drive-in shows across the globe in the wake of a global pandemic, contour Veranstaltungsservice has partnered with the City of Kaarst, Germany and Grobi.tv Heimkino & mehr to develop a drive-in comedy show which allows four-wheeled attendees to enjoy a stand-up set in the comfort of their respective cars, with a Meyer Sound system chosen for soundcheck. https://issuu.com/mondiale/docs/tpijul20_digitallr/24 Photos: Patrick Schappert www.contour.tv www.meyersound.com
With her 48-date world tour cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Laura Marling and ATC Management concocted a plan to produce a livestreamed production. With an audience comprising fans who had paid a ticket fee for exclusive access, this was to be a one-off, for-one-night-only, live performance unlike any other. https://issuu.com/mondiale/docs/tpijul20_digitallr/26 Photos: Joel Ryan www.lauramarling.com www.atcmanagement.com www.dice.fm www.unionchapel.org.uk www.pulsefilms.com www.jackshoot.com
Presenting an authentic live experience to viewers from the comfort of their own homes, following the widespread lockdown of live events, Lockdown TV 2020 – powered by Andy Gangadeen, Video Illusions, Sensible Music, Centre Stage Solutions, Oliver Kane, Backroom Productions and Matt King – kicked off proceedings with a raucous live performance from The Bays on 21 May, with follow-up livestream sets from Rebel Clash x Cuppa Sounds supported by Rinse FM, Killer Hertz, and THE EGG. https://issuu.com/mondiale/docs/tpijul20_digitallr/32 Photos: Oliver Kane www.ldtv.uk www.thebays.com www.videoillusions.net www.centrestagesolutions.co.uk www.sensible-music.co.uk
During this unpredictable time for the music industry, artists still hoping to perform have been faced with two options: livestreaming or socially distant outdoor events. The former has taken many guises over the past three months, ranging from intimate acoustic shows in artists’ front rooms, to more high-tech solutions filmed from bespoke studio spaces. The latter option has seen several drive-in shows take place which, in a few short months, have already seen an upswing in popularity within Europe and the UK. https://issuu.com/mondiale/docs/tpijul20_digitallr/38 Photos: Shangri-La, Fireplay, Luke Dyson and Satore Studios. www.fireplay.com www.melodyvr.com www.satorestudio.com www.losthorizonfestival.com
From a young age, Harry Boyde was fascinated with music and live events. As soon as he turned 18, he moved from Northampton to London, to pursue a career in the touring industry. Shortly after the move, he began working as a Stagehand for Stage Miracles before landing a coveted role of Laser Technician at ER Productions – where he is now responsible for the set-up, maintenance, programming, and operation of laser shows, as well as special effects for some of music’s biggest names. https://issuu.com/mondiale/docs/tpijul20_digitallr/52 Photos: Production Futures & ER Productions www.productionfutures.co.uk www.er-productions.com
Restriction breeds innovation; during the past few months, we at TPi have heard a number of people utter these words or phrases to a similar effect. Venues close and people turn to livestreaming, festivals get cancelled and people move to drive-in shows. Not only that, more and more crewmembers and live events specialists, due to the lack of work, have turned their hands to other vocations – including many that have been vital during the most stringent lockdown measures. In the past week or so, TPi has located a number of companies providing frontline solutions in the fight against COVID-19. …
Since its inception in 2018, the TPMEA Awards, typically held in Dubai, has celebrated the amazing projects and the individuals responsible for the flourishing Middle East events market. Following two successful renditions of the awards, this year’s plans came to an abrupt halt due to the unforeseen arrival of COVID-19. The solution was equal parts daunting and exciting: the birth of the first-ever virtual TPMEA Awards ceremony, produced by GAME Commercial Photography Production LLC (Game.ae) – the Dubai based multimedia, full-service production house that successfully supported the events industry and some of the most prestigious projects and creative content throughout…
Over a decade in the making, Adamson Systems’ latest CS-Series was set to be finally unveiled at this year’s InfoComm in Las Vegas. Alas, with the global pandemic having put paid to that idea, TPi found ourselves on a Zoom call with Adamson’s Brian Fraser to talk about the development of the new system and what it means for both returning and new customers before being launched at the trade show’s virtual edition this year. https://issuu.com/mondiale/docs/tpijul20_digitallr/62 Photos: Adamson Systems www.adamsonsystems.com
How did you come to form Tour Music Live? “I’m from a church background and managed a gospel choir that put on live concerts. I had my first taste of the mainstream music industry when a friend called me to production assist three artists at MTV’s Brand New in 2011. After that, I began working as a Tour Manager for Wretch 32. In May 2015, I had built up a roster of artists that include, Stormzy, Dave, Wretch 32 and Grace Jones, to name a few, so I established Tour Music Live, which specialises in tour and production management, as…
During lockdown, and after closing their physical doors, agencies and clients have taken action to evolve their events into new, virtual, interactive broadcasts. Adapting to current safety practices, these companies are now introducing fresh solutions to stream content and connect to their audiences in an entirely new way, by hosting cutting-edge, fully interactive virtual experiences. An exciting example is from Creative Technology (CT) and aptly named Virtual Studio, which uses Brompton Technology processing to help ensure the best possible results. By deploying LED screens as a physical base for such virtual studios, it is possible to create completely immersive, augmented…
Creative Live Control’s Charles Ford and Brandon Clark have been busy during the pandemic by using creativity and lateral thinking to help maintain positive energies – embracing the Unite at Night initiative, with Robe moving lights from rental partner, JRLX. This nightly sing-along, make-some-noise and DIY light-show – interpreted as bring what you can fairy-lights, glitter-balls, LED battens, and more – started spontaneously in and around Chicago to bring communities together in uncertain times and celebrate the efforts of all heroes on the frontlines helping to keep everyone safe. Having spoken to JRLX and worked out a good deal for what they could…
A year on from taking delivery of the world’s first Wavefront Precision Longbow (WPL) system, Richmond, VA’s Soundworks has now switched its entire inventory to Martin Audio, purchasing both 8-inch WPS and 10-inch WPC systems. Founded in 1976 by Steve Payne, Soundworks has long benefited from a working relationship with Southard Audio, led by Mike Southard in neighbouring Harrisonburg, VA. In 2019, the two companies jointly chose Martin Audio for the first time, becoming the first WPL users in the world with each company purchasing 24 WPL cabinets, 12 SXH218 hybrid subs and 12 iKON iK42 amps. “We used WPL…
New virtual presentation software solution OctoCue has debuted its web-based service which enables smoother and more professional virtual events by allowing slide control from anywhere. Developed by FIX8Group, OctoCue enters the market as the only professional-level control solution to offer live notes feedback, multi-presenter capability and seamless presenter switching. It features an easy-to-use interface which simplifies show control, enabling speakers to smoothly deliver their message in a virtual environment from wherever they are in the world. Inspired by the rapid take-up of virtual events during the COVID-19 crisis, OctoCue offers a solid, long-term answer to the clunky and disjointed presentations that…
