PLSN Newsletter

Headlines

Parnelli 2026 Lifetime Honorees Announcement

The Parnelli Board of Advisors have announced the three lifetime honorees to receive Parnelli Lifetime Achievement Awards at the 24th Annual Gala on January 23, 2026. They are: Tour Manager Marty Hom (Lifetime), Whirlwind Founder Michael Laiacona (Audio Innovator), and Production and Lighting Designer Marc Brickman (Visionary).

ARRI Signs Agreement to Sell its Subsidiary Claypaky to a New Strategic Owner

Focusing more strongly on its core business, ARRI announces the planned divestment of subsidiary Claypaky. New owner EK Inc., a prominent player in the entertainment lighting industry, is committed to building on Claypaky’s innovation and brand heritage

LD Elliott Mountford Lights Chase & Status at Coachella with CHAUVET

Chase & Status transformed Coachella’s Sahara Stage into a giant dance club. Enhancing the vibe and energizing the entire stage was a production designed by High Scream, programming by Olly Walker, and onsite lighting by Elliott Mountford of Ti²² Design, who used CHAUVET fixtures as a part of his design.

The Activity, TAG, and Elation Light Up Ultra Miami’s 25th Anniversary

When the biggest names in electronic music came together in Miami to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Ultra Music Festival, expectations were naturally high. Fortunately, The Activity, along with trusted lighting partner TAG and gear from Elation, came fully prepared to deliver a Main Stage experience worthy of its celebrated legacy.

GLP X5 Series at the Junior Eurovision Song Contest

At the recent 'Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2024' (JESC) in Madrid, the lighting design by Raphaël Demonthy (Sunrise Studios GmbH) was based around finely tuned technology from GLP, which created enormous impact under demanding conditions.

‘Ladies of Soul’ Dazzles with Hippotizer-Driven Video

The three-night 'Ladies of Soul' show landed at Amsterdam’s Ziggo Dome in April, backed by a series of LED screens and LED strips with Green Hippo’s Hippotizer Media Servers belting out live camera feed and pre-made content.

A football final is always a moment of high emotion—but when light joins the game, the experience becomes unforgettable. That’s exactly what happened at the 2025 Copa del Rey Final, where Juanjo Llorens, one of Spain’s most respected lighting designers, used a range of Ayrton fixtures to light the opening.

Ten high-profile theatrical venues in the French-speaking region of Belgium have received delivery of a phenomenal order of Robe lighting products comprising 13 different fixture types, totaling 1043 units.

The Behind the Scenes Mental Health Initiative was launched in 2019 with a survey. The entertainment industry has experienced major changes over the ensuing years, so it’s time to once again ask the industry what initiatives would support their mental health and wellbeing.

Music Matters Productions announces its expansion, increasing the total warehouse footprint from 40,000 to 60,000 sq. ft. In addition, MMP has opened a second 10,000-sq. ft. building directly across the street to house its growing corporate production division.

TAIT, a global leader of culture-defining experiences, has announced the hiring of Dan Healey in the new role of Director, Technical Delivery. He will re-join TAIT to establish the strategic vision and continued growth for the department and a team of nearly 40 full-time technical directors.

Hive, the multi-award-winning specialist in media control solutions, is expanding its team with five new roles as it continues to scale. Rory Jervis joins as Sales Director to drive commercial growth, while Nigel Sadler has been promoted to Chief Pollinator, a newly created role focused on strengthening partnerships and amplifying Hive’s vision.

We at PLSN magazine were sorry to hear of the sudden death of Henry Parks, Jr. the Head Electrician / House Lighting Designer at Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts. Here's an obituary for Parks from Wolf Trap.

Product of the Week

Martin: P3 System Controller Software 6.2.0 with 3D Visualizer Protocol

HARMAN Professional Solutions announced the immediate availability of Martin P3 System Controller Software 6.2.0 featuring the powerful P3 Visualizer Protocol. The enhanced visualization protocol enables real-time integration and seamless pre-visualization.

Video of the Week

CCM Lighting Design & Technology Students Support BLINK Festival

Enjoy this behind-the-scenes look at how a team of UC's College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) students helped illuminate Cincinnati during last fall's BLINK festivities. This student-produced documentary that explores CCM Lighting Design and Technology students' role in the BLINK immersive art and light event lighting the Insane51 mural.

More Headlines...

Column Catch-Up

Moving Lights Move Your Heart: A Neuroaesthetic Perspective

Chris Lose and Jason Ahn delve into neuroaesthetics, the nexus of evolutionary biology and entertainment lighting. A place where art, science, and our primal instincts collide in a cacophony of photons and imagery.

LD at Large Podcast