Ian Livie Lighting, the Birmingham-based lighting rental company with over four decades of industry experience, has made a substantial investment in Martin’s new MAC Aura Raven XIP fixtures, from exclusive UK distributor, Live Technology. The investment, the first rental inventory of Ravens in stock in the UK, marks a strategic shift for the company with its investment in future-proof technology.
Founded by Ian Livie in the 1980s, the company began as a small operation selling DJ lighting equipment. Over the years, the company evolved from a one-man-and-van operation into a respected rental house, working with major touring artists including Joe Bonamassa, Missy Elliott, and Robert Plant, as well as providing lighting for architectural projects and festivals across the UK.
The company’s journey through the industry’s evolution has given Livie unique insight into what constitutes lasting technology versus fleeting trends.
After extensive evaluation of competing products from multiple manufacturers, Livie chose the MAC Aura Raven XIP based on several critical factors: build quality, technological innovation, comprehensive support, and long-term viability.
“I’ve looked at other brands but nothing felt right,” Livie began. “The Ravens are the first product in a long time that feels like it will last for many years to come. They feel like a new generation. That longevity is a very big deal for a rental house.”
It would have been one option, he said, to focus on supplying infrastructure rather than investing in new lighting inventory. But this is not the direction he wanted to take. And in maintaining older fixtures, Livie also recognised what he openly describes as “being a busy fool”, and so set the company on a new path of investment.
Having moved into impressive new 14000 sq ft premises in 2024, Livie invested in 48 Martin MAC Ones early in 2025. “They’re small, they’re cute, and they look amazing. They’ve been out pretty much ever since we bought them – on Sean Paul, various dance events, and orchestral shows.” he said. “I see them spec’d on so many jobs.”
Meanwhile, in search of a main wash light, the brand new MAC Aura Raven XIP impressed with its 27,000-lumen output, XIP smart weather-protection, RGBL LED light engine, and P3 pixel-mapping capability.
During product demonstrations, Livie was particularly struck by the fixture’s super-fast, and near silent, zoom mechanism. “I knew they had this feature, but I wanted to physically see it.” he recalled. “They brought me a prototype and stripped it all down for me. It was amazing and helped convince me even more that this product was the right one to invest in.”
The fixture’s pixel-mapping versatility also played a crucial role in the decision. “The Raven can be so much more than a washlight.” he said. “It acts almost like a mini video wall and I think especially upcoming LDs are going to love it. People are realising you don’t need racks of processors to map to the fixtures, and we’re looking forward to offering training on P3 to the designers we work with.”
Livie also praised Martin’s attention to practical details that matter to rental companies. The flight case design, which accommodates beam shapers and allows clamps to remain attached during transport, “demonstrates the manufacturer’s understanding of real-world needs”, he said.
Livie stated the additional factor guiding his investment is the support and service received from Martin’s UK distributor, Live Technology, both in terms of account management from Rob Clews (Area Sales Manager) and service support from Jof Hatt (Lighting Service Manager).
“The only reason I’m still busy with my original MAC Vipers is because of the support from Jof and his team,” he said. “I made a conscious decision to keep in stock a considerable inventory of key spare parts, and I’ve had all the units serviced here regularly by Jof himself. The support has been fantastic and definitely helped build trust when it comes to making these significant investment decisions.”
Since acquiring the fixtures, the MAC Aura Raven XIP has been deployed across various applications, from major touring productions to festival installations. The fixtures have been used on tours with Elbow as part of a floor package, at Birmingham Pride, Solihull Summer Fest, & Burna Boy consistently delivering exceptional performance.
The market response has been overwhelmingly positive, with demand exceeding expectations. “I think demand for the Raven is only going to grow,” Livie predicted, noting that major rental companies are already inquiring about long-term rentals of the entire inventory.
For Livie, the investment represents more than just acquiring new equipment – it’s about positioning his company for the future. He emphasised the importance of relevance in a competitive market: “The MAC Aura Ravens and MAC Ones have really set a new standard for me. I’d rather have less lights but have the right ones, so people know I can walk amongst them and that my business is relevant. I’ve built the business up, adapted to changes, and I’m excited about the future with the new products. ”
