It’s rare for an act to make it past the 50-year mark, and it’s even rarer to have toured and released new music as regularly as Iron Maiden has during that period. To mark the special anniversary, Maiden’s Run for Your Lives World Tour is a multiyear celebration of the past half a century. For anyone familiar with the band’s theatrics, it will come as no surprise that the creative team pulled out all the stops. Not wanting to rest on their laurels, the production featured several firsts for the band, including moving away from the traditional hand-painted backdrops to…
Author: Stewart Hume
There is something special about a co-headline tour. The ability for two artists to join forces to create some truly unique, memorable moments. But it was not just the collaboration of two of Germany’s newest rap stars – Aymen and Amo – that showcased the power of partnership during the AYMO Arena tour, but also backstage. With ambitious design goals, the design and production lead for the tour, Mångata Collective, brought in STUDIO/ to create the visual LED worlds for the intimidating 52-song set list. Following the successful run of the show in Germany through April, TPi caught up with…
No matter the industry, innovation often comes from an outsider’s perspective on established frameworks. Given the increasingly complex nature of live touring, many companies are looking to break the long-held convention of ‘how things should be done’ and offer an alternative. One such company that seems keen to explore new methods of production design and workflows is Zeal. In the relatively short time since it was founded, the company has been heavily involved in designing shows for the likes of Tom Grennan, Barry Can’t Swim, and Bicep, to name but a few. Rather than simply being a rental house or…
In the past few years, we’ve seen several female pop acts step up to arena and stadium touring. From Tate McRae to Zara Larsson, Olivia Rodrigo to Chappell Roan, many of these names were not part of mainstream consciousness five years ago. Among this new crop of up-and-coming stars now gaining huge popularity, Olivia Dean stands in a league of her own. By any classification, Dean’s music falls within the pop sphere, the unmistakable nods to a more old-school aesthetic and jazz/lounge sensibilities set her apart from many of her contemporaries. After walking away with Best New Artist at The…
In recent years, there have been numerous stories of rental houses gaining a stronger international footprint, such as North American companies acquiring UK-based businesses. And, of course, since Brexit, several logistics companies have set up shop in Ireland and mainland Europe. However, few UK-based rental houses have established new operations in Europe. Enter: ATC, a 360° rental and dry-hire company founded in the Midlands, with a second operation in London, and now a new office in Ghent, Belgium. Formed more than 35 years ago, the company has established itself as a dominant player in the corporate events market and is…
It had been almost two years since I last visited Fly By Nite at its Redditch HQ, and, as many in the sector are aware, the company has since faced the heartbreaking reality of soldiering on after the death of founder, David Coumbe. A stalwart of the industry who founded the company in 1989, his presence is still felt at the logistics specialists’ offices and in the minds of the staff. Since his passing, members of upper management had to assume new roles and honour Coumbe’s legacy, including the newly appointed Director, Joanne Sewards and Operations Director, Paul Walker. “It…
The last time Subfrantic featured in TPi was in 2021, as lockdown regulations were beginning to ease and the team unveiled their new rehearsal studios. The goal at the time was to answer the call for more high-quality rehearsal facilities in the UK. Throwing themselves into the project, Subfrantic expanded and renovated its Bromley HQ, creating a unique set of spaces that were not only functional but also homely for customers looking to settle in for a few days ahead of an upcoming tour – whether for band rehearsals or pre-production. More recently, however, Managing Director Steve Davies and the…
The proliferation of video technology in touring productions has been a recurring theme in TPi. A decade ago, the big debate was the convergence of lighting and video departments – a topic that has long since concluded. Often, a creative or show director at the top of a production chain will see LED screens, lighting, staging, and automation as part of a single creative vision. Safe to say, it’s led to some outstanding performances, many of which we have witnessed firsthand. However, there has been a quietly evolving piece of this puzzle that, only in recent years, has grown in…
MGK’s live performances show a distinct variety. From high-octane rap tracks to fist-pumping punk anthems, the singer’s enjoyment on stage is evident. What is apparent is his tendency to ‘do what is fun’ bleeds into the production design. How many other shows would think of building a ginormous head and arm inspired by the Statue of Liberty, resplendent with a giant Zippo lighter that ascends to light a cigarette in the statue’s hand? Behind these moments are a hardworking team ensuring that each mark is hit on time and – more importantly – safety is ensured. The production, headed up…
When it comes to truly appreciating music, most fans will agree that brilliance lies in the details. Whether it’s the technique of a musician or the subtleties in a singer’s voice, these small differences are often what separate the good from the great. It is these intricate details – and the goal of capturing them – that seem to be the overarching mission within the walls of DPA Microphones. Well known throughout the live events space, particularly for its specialisation in high-quality miniature microphones as well as its array of instrument mics, the company has expanded its offerings in recent…
For a publication that showcases the best visual creatives, often encyclopaedic in their knowledge of the latest in event technology, it’s amusing to think that, often, the goal in show design is to hide technology to ‘keep the magic’. However, this seemed to be the goal behind the design for French rapper Tiakola’s latest tour, where the creatives sought to create a truly mobile, integrated stage space that would meld with the rapper’s performance and that of his band. TPi caught up with Julien Peyrache and Michael Berzon of Alien le studio, who oversaw scenography and lighting design for the…
For the third year running, thanks to generous support from companies within the industry, Roadies in Recovery fundraised to buy two tables at the annual TPi Awards. The goal, as it had been for the previous two years, was to create a safe space at the ceremony for those who are in recovery and live a sober lifestyle. Roadies in Recovery, as an organisation, began during the COVID-19 pandemic with a group of roadies from all walks of life from the touring world, getting together online for mutual aid and support to help keep themselves – and each other -…
The past 12 months have been an interesting time for the live events sector, with several of the rental market’s most notable names that laid the foundations of how tours now go out on the road, celebrating their 50th anniversaries. One such company is Star Live. These days, Star is known globally as a staging company providing the physical infrastructure for stadiums and festivals – most recently seen in the pages of TPi for its work on Oasis’ Live ‘25 Tour. But the company’s origins actually lie in the world of audio. “As a kid, I always wanted a career…
In what has become a staple of the industry’s annual events calendar in the UK, in mid-January, hundreds of audio professionals descend on a hotel just outside Wolverhampton for a full day of discovery, hearing from some of the leading manufacturers operating in the world of pro audio and get hands-on time with some new pieces of kit. This year, the Core Pro Show took up residence in a brand-new location – Hogarths Stone Manor, a stone’s throw from Core Pro Audio’s office outside of Kidderminster. The day saw demos from the likes of L-Acoustics, Meyer Sound, DPA Microphones, Sennheiser,…
In what has quickly become a concrete date in our annual calendar at TPi Magazine, THE Conference: Live at Lititz, now in its fourth year, presents an opportunity for those in the live touring community to gather for one last time before the Christmas break. This year, 1,300 attendees descended on the Rock Lititz campus to enjoy a schedule of 150 different sessions along with plenty of networking opportunities throughout the three-day event. “We have really seen this scale to a global audience with people coming from all over the world,” commented Emily Cassidy, Director of Conferences and Partnerships, Rock…
With a varied career, including experience as an aeronautic engineer and at a large investment bank, Amnon Harman has brought a great deal of business prowess to d&b. Under his 11-year leadership, the company has witnessed significant growth, going from 300 employees with a €67M turnover to a staff base of 1,100 and a €320M revenue. “I think a common theme when you look back at all the jobs I’ve had is that I’m good at aiding in growth and change management, bringing a team from A to Z,” mused Amnon. “d&b has been my longest stay in one company…
Since forming in the early 2000s, the stories of Busted and McFly have always been interwoven. From the days of Popworld’s Simon Amstell joking that they were so similar, to the later years when the shared camaraderie of the groups was seen as they toured together under the moniker of McBusted. However, for some time behind the scenes, a plan was put in place to create a tour that would pit the two bands against each other for the ultimate co-headline tour. The difference between Busted vs McFly compared to many other co-headline tours is that instead of flip-flopping who…
Although TRUCKINGBY has only been on the live touring circuit for 14 years, the history of the company dates back to 1975, when founder Brian Yeardley established the business with a focus on general cargo. This side of TRUCKINGBY – now operating as CARGOBY – still makes up 50% of the business, with the remaining 50% coming from the live events sector. In the company’s 50th year, the founder opted to step away from the business, with longtime employees, Kevin and Sarah Hopper, heading an MBO in October 2024 with Damian Sharpe, the company’s Financial Director and Operations Director Jordan…
