LSi Online

The December edition of LSi is OUT NOW! INSIDE. . . 🚅🕺Starlight Express: Meet the crew behind the new, high-octane London production 👩🎨Congregation: Discover the tech bringing Es Devlin’s unique art installation to life ✨Heritage Pathways: We continue our deep dive into the history of laser tech (part 2) 🎄 Windsor Great Park Illuminated: How this popular festive light trail was reimagined 🔊Technical Focus: EM Acoustics R4 and R6 loudspeakers are put to the test 🎪Tomorrowland: HOLOPLOT and Areal Technologies collaborate to provide the sound at the Belgium festival’s enormous Atmosphere stage PLUS. . . – Remembering lighting pioneer Brian Croft – Company Profile: Cosmic Electronics Ltd celebrates its 50th anniversary, and reveals how it remains resilient amidst new industry challenges – Crew Cuts: Production manager Pembe Tokluhan shares her motivators and passions – Classic Gear: The Leica Disto laser distance measuring device – Technology Focus: How could Lightning Tapes Next simplify your workflow? – In profile: Pro insights from creative technology consultant Joe Duckhouse  – Future Tech: Learn how TPV technology could transform the way we consume energy in the entertainment industry And loads more! Read free via our website! #liveeventtechnology #lighting #sound #theatre #musical #behindthescenes #bts #liveevents #starlightexpress #laser #lasers #newtechnology #technology #tech #TechNews #production #concert #livemusic #esdevlin #christmas #christmaslights

❗ PLASA & NRAG issue statement on fraudulent NRC activity ❗ PLASA and NRAG (the National Rigging Advisory Group) have issued the following statement relating to recent fraudulent use of National Rigging Certificate (NRC) cards: “It has come to our attention that there are fraudulent NRC cards in circulation, and some individuals are falsely claiming to hold NRC accreditation. “PLASA and NRAG highly respect the work of all those who have achieved the NRC, and are dedicated to preserving the high standards set by the NRC. We are taking the matter seriously and acting with urgency to ensure that this issue is resolved, promptly and permanently for the safety of all. “If you are approached by anyone new, or work with anyone that you're not sure about, please make contact directly via nrc@plasa.org to check their credentials. You can also look up certified NRC riggers who have ‘opted in’ to have their details displayed on the PLASA website. Please note that some certified NRC riggers choose not to be displayed, so it’s advisable to check directly with PLASA via nrc@plasa.org or 01323 524120.” 🔗 https://lnkd.in/e9pSykdw

💡🚥Delve into the fascinating history of lasers! Read the fifth instalment of our Heritage Pathways series by Jerry Gilbert, in LSi’s November issue – out now. 👀Discover the very first events, concerts, venues, and projects that utilised this ground-breaking tech, plus discover the companies and crew that pioneered laser technology across the entertainment world. Some highlights include . . . 🤘1970s – The London Planetarium exhibits the Laserium laser shows, and rock concerts by The Who (with the Spectra Physics 164 argon laser) and Led Zeppelin (Coherent CR500K krypton laser beam) amaze the crowds. 🚨1980s – Lasers become a status symbol in nightclubs, leading to the first guidance on safe usage to be published. 🔌At the BADEM Show (now PLASA), Laserscience demonstrates argon ion lasers that do not require water cooling: “They offered four straight beams, four mirrorball scanning positions, ceiling and tunnel effects, Spirograph patterns, oscillation, optional word writing, animation . . . every piece of the laser pie.” 🤯In 1986, Jean-Michel Jarre – known for combining lasers and instruments, such as the electronic ‘laser harp’ – delivered the first large-scale laser mapping performance in an epic outdoor show. 💬 “You could burn a hole in the door as a party trick, which we did to impress Mark Hamill and Harrison Ford when they were making Star Wars at Shepperton Studios . . .” – John ‘Wiggy’ Wolff 💬“Laser Media had, without question, the most sophisticated graphics and laser animation systems, the likes of which had never been seen in the UK . . .”- Lorraine Ludman 📰Read LSi’s November issue online for free! Plus, check out next month’s issue for Part 2, covering lasers’ resurgence in the new millennium! #lasers #liveevents #technology #tech #liveeventtechnology #concerts #livemusic #musictech #lighting #lightingtechnology #eventtech #lightingdesign #techhistory #retrotech

With a constantly changing set-list and a host of new challenges each night, how did the production crew behind Ben Howard’s special anniversary tour manage the show’s dynamic, ever-evolving demands? In LSi’s November issue (available to read online now), we go backstage to meet the team and find out! 🎤Celebrating 10 years since the release of Ben Howard’s critically acclaimed second album, I Forget Where We Were, Rob Speight reports from London’s Eventim Apollo and interviews the folks running the show behind the scenes . . . 🗣“I needed a whole different approach – a new design, new plan, new production, new crew . . .” reveals tour manager Martijn de Jong when asked about flipping from one Ben Howard tour to another 💡LIGHTING & SET DESIGN Discover how a giant scenic centrepiece – manufactured by We Are Chaos Theory – influenced the show’s stunning lighting design by Will Thomas, and Tom Taylor at Tanck. Find out which fixtures from CHAUVET Professional, Claypaky and ARRI lit Ben Howard’s stage, and met the challenges of the show’s emotional intensity . . . 💬 “I’m not a timecode type of LD. My skill is that I actually listen to the music every night as intensely as if I’m a member of the audience, hearing it for the first time . . .” LD Will Thomas explains. 🎵AUDIO With the nine-piece band’s instruments including guitars, drums, bass, cello, horns, keys, a Hammond organ and tape loops, learn how FOH engineer John Cornfield and monitor engineer Sander Van Laere ensured “an immersive, full-spectrum soundscape” across a wide variety of venues. 🙋♂️MEET THE CREW Plus, interviews with production manager Bobbie Caris, and Allan “Wilbot” Wilson, visual designer and videographer. “There’s no timecode or anything, it’s all just kind of organic. They make changes from night-to-night; it keeps me interested . . .” says Wilbot. Read the full story in LSi’s November issue, out now! https://lnkd.in/ePGhkJMG Performance photos: Jay Davison

In our latest issue, Sarah Rushton-Read shares insights from the recent Be Seen, Be Heard event - a powerful day dedicated to amplifying diverse voices in the entertainment tech and backstage sector. Hosted at the London HQ of Bluman Associates Limited and with the support of frame:work, Disguise, Neutral Human and Production Futures, the event brought together industry trailblazers, freelancers, and innovators from across the UK. 💬 The day opened with inspiring keynote stories from Ash Nehru of Disguise and Pembe Tokluhan of Petok Productions, each sharing their paths and the unique challenges they’ve faced as they pushed boundaries in a traditionally exclusive industry. The conversation was frank, the stories were raw, and the day left attendees expressing a collective commitment to change. 💡 A digital audience poll revealed the barriers many still face, from financial burdens to systemic bias, sparking a dynamic panel discussion co-hosted by Production Futures CEO Hannah Eakins and Sarah Rushton-Read. Panellists including Pembe Tokluhan, Kira May O’Brien, Connie Glover and Emily Malone shared honest insights on overcoming these barriers and the importance of a supportive, inclusive community. 👀 Be Seen, Be Heard highlighted how essential it is to amplify underrepresented voices, advocate for fair pay, and create spaces where everyone can thrive. Read the full story in our November issue, available via our website. #BeSeenBeHeard #DiversityInTech #EntertainmentTech #InclusionMatters

Thank you LSi Online for the feature on 1 SOUND in the UK! We had a great week of presentations with CUK Group recently. This article relays the mission of 1 SOUND, the approach to audio design and the pro audio industry as a whole which was apparent throughout the presentations. "These (loudspeakers) are specific tools to make our job better... The industry comes first, not the brand." https://lnkd.in/gPGXKhRa

Tickets have gone on sale for Showlight 2025. The much-anticipated networking event for lighting practitioners will visit Le Parc des Expositions et Congrès de Dijon in France from 19-22 May 2025 with ROBERT JULIAT S.A.S. as its headline sponsor. Get your tickets via: www.showlight.org/tickets

The November edition of LSi is OUT NOW! INSIDE. . . 🎸Ben Howard’s anniversary tour! Behind the scenes with the crew 💥Heritage Pathways: Delve into the history of laser tech in live entertainment (part 1) 💡 Explore the world of Fresnel lenses and fixtures for the stage and studio ⚡☀ In-depth reviews: Cameo Light’s Oron H2 phosphor-laser moving head, and Electronic Theatre Controls High End Systems’ SolaPix Fan 8 eight-cell pixel fixture 🎙 London’s iconic Brixton Academy receives a major audio and lighting upgrade 🎶Exciting new launches from 1 SOUND and EM Acoustics PLUS. . . – Company profile: Find out how set design company Sceniq, with its close-knit team of creatives, operates as a collectively owned enterprise – Future Tech: Could you speed up your tasks with a third thumb? (Yes, you read that right) – Be Seen, Be Heard: What barriers need to be overcome to ensure a representative workforce in the entertainment industry? – Crew Cuts: Drum tech Joe Slaby talks his touring experiences and musical inspirations – Tools from Within: How can the Stamp tool assist with your live productions, from first rehearsals to final show? – Classic Gear: Selecon’s Pacific spotlight – Set in Motion: What are the benefits of CounterWeight Assist? And loads more! Read free via our website! #liveeventtechnology #lighting #sound #theatre #behindthescenes #liveevents #benhoward #concert #brixtonacademy #lasers #fresnel #newtech #technology #tech #technews

🥇Working to an incredibly short 10-month deadline, how did SLX tackle the complex challenges of lighting the 2024 Paris Olympic Games? 🏃♀️🏃♂️In LSi’s October issue, we chat to Russell Payne, managing director of the Bristol-based tech provider, to find out how the team successfully overcame many technical and logistical hurdles for a gold-medal finish, and the invaluable lessons learned in the process . . . 🏊♂️Faced with a diverse array of arenas and stadiums, with each venue and sport requiring customised lighting solutions, read how SLX’s design director, David Lewis, selected the best fixtures for each venue. 💡What tech did SLX employ? Luminaires from CHAUVET Professional, power distribution units by StageSmarts AB, and data management with Obsidian Control Systems’ Netron Control System, helped to meet the specific needs of this huge event. 🤼Plus, with hundreds of freelancers coming on board, extensive planning and coordination was certainly essential . . . 💬 “The evolution of broadcast technology . . . demands even higher production quality. To meet these standards, the application of studio lighting design philosophies to sports arenas is crucial.” Read Kate Lyon’s report in LSi October, out now via our website! Image credits: Andy Devonshire (SLX) and Paris 2024 #olympics #olympicgames #2024olympics #2024parisolympics #lightingtechnology #sports #paris2024 #paris #athletics

Get to know technical production manager and lighting designer Katie Davies in October's LSi as she tells Sarah Rushton-Read about her career to-date. Katie has an impressive resume, being technical production manager for ARCADIA SPECTACULAR Ltd and having previously worked for Boomtown, Invisible Circus, P&O Cruises, Bristol Old Vic and more. Find the full article via https://lnkd.in/dxGhBa7k #womeninlivemusic #womeninlighting #lighitngdesign #arcadia #glastonburyfestival #weneedcrew #crew #theatre #concerttouring #interview #profile #livemusic #production