KRISTIANSAND, Norway — Robe has named Live Technic as distributor for its products in Norway. Thor-Andre Sæther, left, and Finn Nilsen, right, formed Live Technic in 2006. Sæther became familiar with Robe products as an LD and programmer, and felt it was the right brand for Live Technic to distribute.
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OSAKA, Japan — Jackson Browne was “pivotal” in the decision to use an LED-dominated lighting rig for the first time on the world tour supporting the 2008 album, Time the Conqueror, according to Dave Davidian, lighting and production designer. “He’s a very green-oriented person,” said Davidian, who has worked with Browne since 1990. “I was curious about LEDs too.”
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SUNRISE, FL — Chauvet broke ground on its 65,000-square-foot headquarters building, which is expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2009. Chauvet Lighting owners Berenice and Albert Chauvet are pictured here, flanking Roger Wishner, deputy mayor of Sunrise, during the ceremony.
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HOUSTON — When Coldplay decided they wanted “Magic Balls” for their Viva la Vida World Tour, XL Video turned to Pufferfish Ltd. to provide a custom solution. Experienced in digital spherical displays and immersive media, Pufferfish Ltd. designed and delivered six “PufferSphere XL” touring units within two months.
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The new Christie LX700 with 4DColor technology is a four-panel LCD projector that offers 7,000 lumens and XGA resolution. The 4DColor technology provides a 20 percent increase in color gamut over previous three-panel LCD models. The projectors’ features include a contrast ratio of 2,200:1; an AutoFilter system that rolls out a new filter every 1,000 hours for up to 10,000 hours; digital connections with AV inputs; optional lenses; and a built-in shutter.
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IBIZA, Spain — On the recommendation of U.K.-based LD Alan King, who was brought in by Microchunk to add new gear for Pete Tong and Groove Armada’s “Wonderland,” Ibiza’s Eden nightclub upgraded to an Avolites Diamond 4 console before the busy summer season.
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DUBAI, UAE — Igloos don’t last long in a snowless desert, and the dome tent structure billed as “the first igloo in Dubai” won’t last forever as well. But the first Gearhouse South Africa In2Structures MaxiDome temporary venue will be used for at least 15 months before it’s disassembled — about 14 months and 30 days after a real igloo would turn into a useless puddle of slush.
Read More »RICHMOND, VA — What started out as a one-shot motorcycle charity ride is cruising into its sixth consecutive year for the Long Reach Long Riders. So far, the group has netted over $170,000 for the ESTA Foundation’s Behind the Scenes charity and other causes. Next summer’s tour starts July 31 in Richmond, Va. and ends Aug. 6 in Dahlonega, Ga.
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MANCHESTER, U.K. — An opening screen for entrances and exits and lots of video-driven LED elements played a big role in Simon Kimmell’s over-the-top set design for Peter Kay’s talent show spoof, Britain’s Got The Pop Factor … And Possibly A New Celebrity Jesus Christ Soapstar Superstar Strictly On Ice.
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INDIANOLA, MS — Bowen Technovation selected Christie projectors to introduce the career of blues legend B.B. King — 60 years and counting — to visitors at the B.B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center, a 20,000-square-foot facility that profiles the artist and the musical traditions of the Mississippi delta region.
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YORK, U.K. —E/T/C London lit the Yorkshire Museum and ruins of the 10th century Benedectine Abbey of St. Mary’s with video, film and still images for the fourth-annual “Illuminating York” event. The 10-day sound and light show, called Accendo, celebrated the illumination achieved by both religion and science.
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KNOXVILLE, TN — In the midst of their own separate tours, ZZ Top and Brooks & Dunn came together for a 17-date run across the U.S. and into Canada. The result: a merger for ZZ Top’s “In Your Face” tour (shown here) and Brooks & Dunn’s ongoing “Cowboy Town” tour, which continues on its own through the end of the year. The challenge for the two LDs was to keep the looks for each band as distinctive as their respective musical styles.
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