Sennheiser has announced a partnership agreement with Jordan-based Advanced Solutions. As an authorised partner, the reseller and systems integrator will now offer products from Sennheiser’s System Solutions range which includes conference and translation, tour guide, and a wide range of wired and wireless microphone systems. According to Sami Janho, General Manager at Advanced Solutions, the timing is now right for the aggressive expansion of Sennheiser’s market share in Jordan. He said: “A reasonable portion of the market now demands reputable and reliable products accompanied by a high level of service. Organisations are keen to explore best-in-class solutions which provide a…
Author: Stewart Hume
Dubai-based event management agency, HQ Creative, successfully delivered the official UAE National Day celebrations in Dubai on 1 December 2015 – the third time the company has produced the event. With just eight weeks lead-time, HQ delivered a show staged entirely upon the water with Dubai’s dramatic skyline as the backdrop. The event was held at Dubai Design District on a body of water that will soon be connected to the Dubai Canal system, providing HQ Creative with a rare opportunity to use a unique location. Holding the event on water presented challenges for the team. Technical Director, Andrew Stevens, commented:…
After staging events for 15 years, across 30 countries, to over two million people, Sensation has become a worldwide phenomenon. United in white, thousands descended on Meydan racecourse to witness the incredible production – TPMEA’s Ste Durham was among them. Since its inaugural outing on 5 July 2008 in Sensation’s native Amsterdam, the aquatically themed Ocean of White show has toured five continents, recently washing up at Dubai’s striking Meydan Racecourse. The set design included gigantic white jellyfish, towering jets of water, and a fully-stocked arsenal of special effects. Alongside showcasing the quite frankly eye-watering production, Sensation actively nurtures a…
Hot on the heels of a successful European tour, record-breaking pop band Take That jetted to the UAE for two exclusive shows. The larger of the two, held at the Dubai Media City amphitheatre, required both inventory and expertise from a number of local suppliers. TPMEA’s Ste Durham visited the site. On a busy weekend in the UAE, legendary British ‘man-band’ Take That treated thousands of fans to an adapted version of their III Tour at Dubai Media City Amphitheatre. With tickets to the intimate performance at Hard Rock Cafe, Dubai Festival City the following day hard to come by, this…
It’s been a couple of years since TPi covered a Bon Jovi gig, a world tour that hurtled its way full throttle into UK stadium venues, the way a rock band of their calibre should. This time, we’re dissecting the New Jersey band’s performance in Abu Dhabi, the first concert in the UAE’s capital following a three-month live production break. Turns out, it was worth the wait, as TPMEA’s Kelly Murray reports… The du Arena in Yas Island is a buzzing live venue, a venue which has seen some of the world’s most popular performers grace its stage and a…
Dubbed by wallpaper magazine as a ‘light magician’, Lighting Designer, Creative Director and emerging multi-disciplinary artist, Satore Studio’s founder Tupac Martir, speaks to TPi about setting creative tech and production trends in the fashion world. MFW 2015, what are you lighting and for which fashion designer? Moschino, Pucci, MSGM and Sportmax. It’s our third year with Moschino, we started with ‘Cheap and Chic’ in London, then working with Jeremy Scott and his Menswear Collection. This season, we worked together for Womenswear. Is this a brand you’ve wanted to work with for some time? Fashion is known for being a tough…
The original members of punk rock band, The Professionals, made up of ex-members of the Sex Pistols, reformed for an unsurprisingly sold out gig at London’s 100 club. For the first time in over 30 years, Paul Cook, Ray Mcveigh and Paul Myers appeared along with Tom Spencer in an intimate gig to coincide with the release of the complete professionals triple CD set, released by Universal. Sound Engineer Ben Hammond was tasked with managing the audio, selecting Allen & Heath’s new dlive mixing system. He shares his experience of this very special gig. What duties did you have to…
Main Light Industries of Wilmington, Delaware, has added a large quantity of Elation Professional lighting equipment to its inventory. The purchase included the award-winning Platinum FLX hybrid moving head and products in Elation’s new ACL Series of narrow-beam LED effect lights. “Our previous Elation units have served us well and these new units provide a great value for the price,” commented Main Light Operations Manager Randy Mullican on the purchase. Besides the PLASA award-winning Platinum FLX, the purchase also included the Platinum SBX, a 3-in-1 hybrid luminaire that uses the same patent-pending dual optical system as the FLX. Also in…
Comedian Kevin Hart went on a sold-out tour of the US and Canada in 2015 with a Martin Audio MLA system provided by Showtime Sound LLC of Frederick, Maryland. When asked about the challenges of producing the current tour, Showtime Sound’s Scott Tydings said: “We’ve worked with Kevin since 2010 and did the last tour, so we know what to expect, but there are always a few surprises. Showtime has been in business since 1996 and we do a lot of music tours, but lately there’s been more of an emphasis on comedy artists, including Amy Schumer who we’re on tour…
KV2 Audio’s products played a key part in some of the UK’s most high profile Dance music events. The production company Just Lite have grown its stock of KV2 products from 2012 to 2015 and have been providing audio and production services to a range of high profile Dance events throughout the UK. These events include regular nights at Sankey’s Warehouse, Victoria Warehouse Manchester featuring Basement Jaxx and Arman Van Heldon, Dublin’s Metropolis Music Festival and Blackpool’s Pier Jam. Having formed predominantly as a lighting-based company over 20 years ago, KV2 Audio have worked with Just Lite since the inception…
Faithless hit on the road again in 2015 after a four year break, taking their dance rhythms to the public celebrating 20 years since the formation of the band. Andy Hurst was asked to create a visual concept and Blackburn rental company HSL supplied lighting equipment which included an investment in 300 Martin Professional VDO Sceptron 10 LED battens, which were rigged on custom structures to form a giant ‘88’ digital clock face. The large digital figures were an idea that Hurst and Sister Bliss from the band had thought about in order to have something different from conventional video…
Alexandra Palace in North London was the venue for The Wombats’ largest production during their current tour, and the rig was heavy with fixtures from the Ambersphere Solutions family of brands with Clay Paky and Ayrton units making up over half of the total design and an MA Lighting grandMA2 Lite FoH. Dan Hill was the LD at the helm. He stated: “This was essentially a larger, more intense version of the lighting rig we’ve had out lately. In London earlier this year, The Wombats played Brixton Academy and the show at Alexandra Palace really grew from that. “It was nothing…
Lifting equipment specialists, Hoist UK and its sister company, Truss UK, have relocated to larger premises, a significant expansion and one which will enable both companies to move forward with their growth plans. The new headquarters, comprising offices, specialised workshop areas and warehousing facilities, are situated on the Tarran Way Industrial Estate in Moreton, a location chosen for its accessibility to the M53 and UK motorway network. The expansion reflects both Hoist UK and Truss UK’s continued success and subsequent growth over the past twelve months, a year which has seen developments in staffing numbers, product range and a number…
Landmark album That’s The Spirit, becomes an intercontinental live victory thanks to “some of the best in the industry”. TPi’s editor Kelly Murray talks to the crew behind the curtain… The city of Sheffield typically gives me three reasons to inappropriately high five certain strangers: whoever is within reaching distance when northern accent warrior Sean Bean brings epic death scenes to the silver screen; anyone able to quote the Monty Python genius of steel city gentleman Michael Palin; and Henderson’s Relish advocates for knowing the key to a decent vegan Bloody Mary (this one usually involves hand-slapping barmen when unable…
Since the mid 2000’s, Fall Out Boy have been one of the most well-known names to have emerged from the American mainstream pop punk explosion. After a brief hiatus – before returning in 2013 with comeback album, Save Rock and Roll – the band continues to go from strength to strength and is supporting their latest release American Beauty / American Psycho with a tour of the same name. TPi was at Manchester Arena to see how this live show translates on the other side of the Atlantic. Throughout their career, Fall Out Boy – despite their name – has had a…
Alternative dance pioneers The Prodigy are known the world over for their blistering live shows. For the band’s latest tour in support of The Day Is My Enemy, a suitably outrageous production was in order. TPi’s Ste Durham was in attendance at Birmingham’s Barclaycard Arena to meet the minds behind the madness. Since their beginnings 25 years ago, The Prodigy have rarely left the limelight; courting controversy and critical acclaim in almost equal measure, while performing the seemingly impossible task of earning respect from ravers and metalheads alike. Rather than spawning imitators, the band has carved out a niche for…
To commemorate 25 years of performing as Opeth and 10 years since the release of the monumental Ghost Reveries album, the Swedish metal band set out to play a handful of exclusive shows across Europe and the US. TPi’s Ste Durham ventured to the band’s only UK date to discover the design behind Opeth’s brand new production. Known for their trailblazing blend of metal, folk, prog, blues and jazz, Opeth have rarely strayed from underground music’s forefront since their death metal beginnings in 1990. While their rise can hardly be called meteoric, perhaps thanks to the band’s propensity for 10-miunte…
As the only UK festival dedicated to showcasing the very best in math-rock, post-rock and noise-rock, the award-winning ArcTanGent festival was back again for its third edition. TPi rolled out in force to brave the wilds surrounding Bristol and discover why more and more people are flocking to this boutique event. Despite capacity being strictly limited to 5,000 attendees, word hasn’t stopped getting out about what ArcTanGent has to offer. The event has gained the backing of a powerful sponsor in Orange Amplification, and continues to see fresh recognition – namely its appearance on the shortlists for Best New Festival,…
