In partnership with PLASA, The Power of Events, Production Futures and LIVE, Adlib has produced a 20-minute film which highlights the myriad of different jobs within a dynamic industry that is currently estimated to be worth over £70bn to the UK economy. Adlib’s Andy Dockerty said: “The events industry is one of the largest sectors in the UK with many of its specialisms developing rapidly. Most elements of the delivery of Live Events are unknown outside of the events industry and consequently not made available as an option to young people. “As an industry we need to be directly engaging…
Author: Jacob Waite
Considered by live entertainment industry musos as one of the most eagerly anticipated musical events of the summer season, RTL 102.5 Power Hits Estate and the Radio Zeta Future Hits Live returned in 2024, boasting performing artists who each took turns to face off against one another to be crowned the ‘song of the summer’ over the course of two nights at the historic, UNESCO-protected setting of the Arena di Verona. This year, the production team explored the limits of their creative and technical capabilities to push the boundaries of innovation, experimenting with new technologies and workflows to deliver an…
With 2024 marking the 10-year anniversary of The Vamps’ debut album, the four-piece set out on a UK tour that saw the group making a temporary home for multiple nights in smaller venues for a more intimate fan experience. The band has become accustomed to putting on arena-level shows over the past decade and in 2019 they set the record of being the first act to play The O2 arena for five years consecutively. However, with lead singer Bradley Simpson working on his solo career, the band wanted to put on one last tour for their fans before taking a…
Did you face any challenges bringing this product to the market? “The biggest challenge to starting fresh is just the time it takes. Normally, when incrementing an existing product it’s just a few months in development, however, the Triton series was 18 months in development as we created new supervisory systems, better sealing, a more compact integrated shutter and more.” How did you ensure durability while keeping the unit compact and lightweight? “By keeping the machining of all housing components in house, we’re able to keep tight control of tolerances to ensure all the panels fit together very well. Doing…
US-based Brandon Fitzgerald began working in live events as a 20-year-old IATSE Local 22 stagehand. Fast-forward a decade and having toured most recently as Head Rigger for Lainey Wilson and SZA’s respective tours, he has experienced the highs and lows of life on the road. “Coming off the road is an adjustment. When you think about the nature of our industry, time management and logistics immediately spring to mind. We are such an adaptable group of people, used to working under pressure. Where the transition becomes difficult is the lack of hard schedules and deadlines, which we are so accustomed…
A decade after Becky Hill first topped the charts with her debut feature on Oliver Helden’s Gecko (Overdrive), three albums later and following a string of high-profile collaborations and solo successes, the dance stalwart finally embarked on her first UK and Ireland arena tour at the beginning of October. With the star known for her lively shows, for this sold-out arena run, the artist’s crew ramped up the production to another level, bringing fans even closer to the action with a club-like design and a revolving B-stage. TPi caught up with the crew at Glasgow’s OVO Hydro to get an…
Having gained experience on both sides of the Atlantic over the past decade, Glass Animals and their long-standing production team now embark on their biggest and most ambitious touring campaign to date – A Tour of Earth, complete with lasers, a giant inflatable Saturn, and a purpose-built touring space station. If that wasn’t impressive enough, everything on stage is performed completely live, without any track, timecode, or click; the band builds their own backline and programmes their own Ableton sessions, fusing sounds from their self-produced records in the live environment. MIDI is so integrated into this setup that the show…
The term ‘360 supplier’ is one that often gets thrown around the live events space. At its most basic definition, 360 refers to a supplier that can provide the trifecta of audio, lighting and video. But some companies and groups take this definition further, being involved in every aspect of the entertainment sphere, from inception to completion. Following a conversation with Groupe Novelty Technical Director Nicolas Savigny, it was clear that the group he represents very much falls in the latter, much less crowded camp.As a collective, Groupe Novelty not only boasts one of the largest stocks of entertainment equipment…
Sustainability is increasingly becoming a predominant concern for touring musicians, which then passes to the production industry to find solutions to lower the environmental impact that tours, live shows and festivals have on the world. From our privileged position at TPi, we often get to speak to those enacting or paving the way for change, spotting trends as they develop. In 2019, we began documenting the role of Greening Representatives like Lucy Clumpas on Mumford & Sons’ Delta Tour [see TPi #239] whose sole job is to ensure sustainability measures are taken backstage. “Touring, by its very nature, is not…
Following the successful launch of 360°Link V1 earlier this year, Solid State Logic continues to update its groundbreaking SSL 360° platform with the new SSL 360° Link Bus Compressor Plug-in and Link V1.1 update in the latest SSL 360° V1.8 software, which is available free of charge via the SSL website. With the launch of the new SSL 360° Link Bus compressor Plug-in, users can now map and control any third party plug-in directly from the Bus Compressor section of UC1. In addition, gain reduction metering from compatible third party plug-ins can also be assigned to display on the UC1 Bus…
Tag announces the launch of GATE+, a new production model giving brands access to transformative creative capabilities. Spearheading the initiative are industry visionaries James Niklasson, Johnny Blick, and Richard Skinner, renowned for their pioneering work in content innovation at The Mill and MPC. As GATE+ takes shape, Niklasson will serve as Director of Creative Production, Blick as Managing Partner, and Skinner as Head of Creative Development. Together with The Gate Film’s CEO, Simon Lewis, and Head of Production Rhiannon Lewis, the leadership team is poised to redefine how brands, agencies, and creatives collaborate in the production process. GATE+ is an…
Mexico City’s Bicentenario Park recently hosted Berlin electronic music label Keinemusik for a performance by its artists Adam Port and &ME. While the park’s natural, open-air venue Auditorio Bicentenario provided the perfect performance setting, its immediate proximity to a densely populated residential area meant that the audio team had its work cut out. Funktion-One’s distributer for Mexico, Loto Audio, worked in conjunction with promoters Music Live Mexico to design a sound environment that delivered even coverage to the 15,000 strong audience, while providing the requisite control to meet the strict noise criteria set by the local authorities. “One of Keinemusik’s…
Having successfully completed its European run of shows this summer, Lenny Kravitz’s Blue Electric Light Tour is preparing for its Americas leg, which will see the rock legend perform 14 shows during the final quarter of 2024. In this well-earned breathing space, MA spoke to Lighting Designer, Bryan Barancik and programmer Felix Peralta about their use of the grandMA3 for these shows. Barancik’s extraordinary lighting design career so far has featured some big-name clients, including Alicia Keys, Eagles, Christina Aguilera, Cardi B, and Cher, but it’s with Kravitz that he’s been focusing his talents throughout much of 2024. With an…
With the We love Rock’n’Roll Farewell Tour, Peter Maffay and his band filled Germany’s biggest open-air arenas in the summer of 2024. Digital and analogue Sennheiser wireless systems ensured excellent sound during the performances. In addition to Sennheiser Digital 6000 systems and other proven wireless solutions, the new Sennheiser EW-DX series was also used for the shows, including the brand-new EW-DX EM 4 DANTE four-channel receiver. Celebrating their premiere on a Peter Maffay tour were two EW-DX EM 4 DANTE four-channel receivers, which were used with EW-DX SK 3-PIN bodypack transmitters on the woodwind and brass, for Pascal Kravetz’s accordion and…
Launched in June 2023, Eastbourne, Sussex-based Racquet Studios was born from a film and photographic creative agency that recognised the potential of virtual production. A year in the making, and after rigorous testing and trialling, a state-of-the art facilities for virtual film production, education, and specialist research and development was created, which relies on Brompton Technology LED processing to power their LED setup. Since opening, the facility has successfully supported business and production companies through technical innovation and created a progressive creative economy. It has now relocated to new premises to expand its capabilities and be closer to key partners,…
Lighting Designer, Tom Edwards of Mandylights is well versed in collaborating with production teams to create captivating live entertainment experiences. Speaking exclusively to TPi’s Jacob Waite, he reflects on his role lighting the way for Jamie xx’s headline In Waves production at London’s iconic Alexandra Palace. From translating the artist’s hypnotic, black-and-white optical illusions into a breathtaking projection-heavy show, to balancing the cutting-edge technology with retro-inspired lighting effects, Edwards reflects on the creative collaboration behind the scenes. Having worked with Jamie xx and his team since 2022, Edwards delves into the challenges and triumphs of creating an experience which integrates…
3G Productions (“3G”) announced that it has received a strategic investment from Chimney Rock Equity Partners (“Chimney Rock”), a private equity firm focused on lower-middle-market industrial investments. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Chimney Rock’s investment in 3G was made with the intent to leverage the company’s longstanding reputation in live event production and systems integration services to grow into a national brand, both organically and via acquisitions. With Chimney Rock’s partnership, 3G expects to actively seek to add new locations and customers and increase its already strong market share. Under the terms of the agreement, the 3G…
The Backup Tech team was thrilled to once again be part of the #WeMakeEvents hub at the PLASA Show 2024. From this base, the Backup team and its Ambassadors were able to connect with industry professionals and raise awareness of the important work Backup is doing in the industry. Every year, the show represents an opportunity to meet up with old friends, enjoy great conversations and make new connections. This year, the larger footprint meant that the hall was a buzz with even more new technology and creativity. Spaces where attendees could relax and regroup were an important part of…
