LIVE’s Summer issue is here, and so is festival season! This issue meets the audio-visual minds behind some of the world’s iconic music festivals – Coachella, Signal and Roskilde to uncover exactly what goes into the production of events of this magnitude. This issue also heads back to the classroom with our education focus, uncovering the latest tools and tech that are aiding teaching techniques. Our round table compiles a panel of experts hailing from the corporate AV space, whilst our Buyers’ Guide highlights the industry’s best when it comes to PTZ cameras. Finally, our Industry Icons interview sits down with ‘Queen of Eurovision’ Nicoline Refsing, to discuss her extraordinary career.
INFOCOMM 2024 All you need to know ahead of North America’s largest AV convention
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BUYERS’ GUIDE We share our top picks from the thriving PTZ market
LIVEMAG.ONLINE
SUMMER 2024
LUMINOUS LEDS Take a deep dive into the ever-illuminating landscape of lighting and display EDUCATION EVOLUTION From interactive whiteboards to VR headsets, learn all about the latest academic innovations
STAGING EUROVISION Nicoline Refsing brings us behind the scenes of Europe’s most iconic pop music contest ROUND TABLE Our panel of experts explore the trends and trailblazers in corporate AV
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S ummer is here, and with it comes LIVE ’s new issue! Incidentally, festival season has also arrived, and while still in a state of hazy disbelief over how my friends and I managed to secure highly sought- after Glastonbury tickets this year, I began to think about what it is exactly that makes festivals so magical. Though I recognise that giving up on all social norms to swim through mud and glitter for a few days isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, there’s no denying festivals offer an international showcase of audio-visual innovation. In this issue, we meet the minds behind three major music festivals, who share insights on what goes into creating events of this scale. Elsewhere, we head back to the classroom to uncover how the education space is entering a new and exciting digital era; learning how schools and universities are ditching pads and paper for VR and immersive teaching techniques. As if being dubbed ‘Queen of Eurovision’ wasn’t enough, Nicoline Refsing has not only been behind the production of some of the most iconic arena tours of recent times, but also launched and leads her very own production and creative direction company, Rockart Design. Check out this issue’s Industry Icons, where she sits down with LIVE to reflect on her astonishing career. Our round table gathers a panel hailing from the corporate AV sector to discuss the current trajectory for the industry, while a PTZ buyers’ guide offers useful pointers for those looking to navigate the flourishing space. Plus, this issue’s product focus takes a deep dive into the transforming LED landscape. From Europe’s largest digital ceiling to the AFC Asian Cup Opening Ceremony, we shed some light on the dazzling options available. Finally, if you’re heading to Las Vegas in June, make sure you don’t go without reading our exclusive Infocomm guide! LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL!
EDITORIAL Editor Verity Butler +44 (0) 1223 492246 veritybutler@bright.uk.com
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DESIGN Junior designer and ad production Holly May Junior designer Hedzlynn Kamaruzzaman Senior designer Carl Golsby Magazine design manager Lucy Woolcomb Design manager Alan Gray Design director Andy Jennings
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CONTENTS
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06 NEWS AND UPDATES
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Catch up with the latest projects, launches and installations rocking the industry
LIVE.
16 INFOCOMM GUIDE
Heading to Las Vegas in June? Make sure to check out our guide for exclusive insights and tips
24 SOUNDSCAPES
56 EDUCATION SPECIAL
Head behind the scenes of three major festivals, as LIVE meets the AV specialists powering them
Learning has entered the digital era, and with it comes impressive new tools and techniques
34 ROUND TABLE
64 INNOVATOR PROFILES Meet the people behind the
A panel of conferencing tools experts discuss trailblazing trends in business and education
projects: our quarterly questioning of the experts that make AV tick
32 ATOMOS 40 CANON 62 CVP 74 BIRDDOG SPONSORED CONTENT
42 PRODUCT FOCUS
70 SUSTAINABILITY
We put a spotlight on the most cutting-edge LED screens and lighting available
This issue spotlights Berklee NYC’s Daniel Pembroke, who advocates a holistic approach to live music
50 INDUSTRY ICONS
76 BUYERS’ GUIDE
Eurovision production design legend Nicoline Refsing meets LIVE to discuss her thriving career
Pan-tilt-zooms: it’s an accelerating market with plenty to pick from. We help you choose
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This issue’s cover was designed by Carl Golsby at Bright Publishing
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A 160-year-old floor covering retailer in Neresheim, Germany has elevated its showroom experience by implementing a digital signage network powered by the nsign.tv software platform. “We were looking for a program for our many displays in the stationary exhibition so we could play new videos quickly and easily every day,” explained Toni Grimmeisen, managing director of Meinbodenbelag. “It was also important the contents could run automatically and be controlled from a single PC,” he adds. The system includes 20 displays strategically placed in the store to offer an engaging experience and boosting customer retention. NSIGN POWERS GERMAN SHOWROOM
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IMMERSIVE SOUNDS FLOURISH AT COACHELLA
sculptures, it embodies the essence of the Do Lab ethos: freedom, discovery and expression. “Macrodose was a return to our roots of building stand-alone structures that create an immersive environment,” said Do LaB co-founder Jesse Flemming. “This also gave the opportunity for the crowd to expand much farther than in years past, and we saw some of our biggest audiences ever.” Macrodose’s open design and intricate structural elements required a low-profile sound system that could deliver the necessary power to cover the expanded audience zone, which extended 300 feet from the stage. Ultimately, the system delivered seamless coverage for an immersive sonic experience that reached every corner of the Do Lab experience.
Coachella 2024, as with previous iterations of the event, boasted a wide array of dynamic new audio-visual (AV) tech innovations. This was no less for its pulsating heart, otherwise known as the Do Lab electronic music stage. The beat was even louder this year, thanks to a new open-air stage design featuring a state-of-the-art Meyer Sound Panther – a large format linear line array loudspeaker system. Since 2005, Do Lab, created by brothers Dede, Jesse and Josh Flemming, has brought elements of underground culture and community- driven experiences to Coachella. Do Lab’s Macrodose stage, new for Coachella 2024, is a bold departure from the tent designs of recent years. An open-air forest of music and lights nestled under a canopy of vibrant, fabric
Known for their emotive lyricism and moody undertones, US rock band Lord Huron burst onto the charts with The Night We Met , a hit that caught the attention of billions. Capturing the delicate nature of their music while recording is crucial for the band, and they put as much emphasis on recreating the listening experience for live audiences. Front of house sound engineer Justin Chechile chose the band’s favoured DPA Microphones vocal and instrument mics, including the DPA d:facto 4018VL and 2011 twin diaphragm mics. “Lord Huron first started using DPA mics for the recording side of things,” Chechile said. “The team loved the mics’ performance in those cases and thought it would be nice to bring them – I’m so glad we switched the live set-up to DPA.” FROM STUDIO TO STAGE
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A RESOUNDING SUCCESS Hewlett Packard Enterprises’ new headquarters has recently installed Void Acoustics speakers across the premises. These include Nexus 6s, Air Vantages and Tri Motion speakers – just to name a few. Constructed over a period of two years, the new campus spans a pair of five-story buildings and features a 440,000 sq ft space which is rentable. BIAMP BOOSTS DEVIO PLATFORM Biamp has new updates for its Devio SCX platform, aimed at improving user experience. These include added support for Windows Update on Devio SCX processors via USB connections. Windows Update’s firmware delivery also enables Microsoft Teams Rooms to manage update deployment for controlled rollouts. recently expanded through the addition of the CBL loudspeaker series consisting of two models – the CBL528 and the CBL523. The new speakers are ideal for permanent installations in venues like fitness centres, conference halls, theatres and houses of worship. Both units are tuned with Blaze’s Powerzone amplifiers. PERFECTING THE PLUTO FRESNEL Astera has launched Projection Lens, adding capabilities to its battery-powered LED-based light and allowing conversion into a profile spotlight. The Pluto Fresnel can be transformed in less than a minute simply by slipping on the Projection Lens. Projection zoom can be controlled by twisting the lens barrel or two focus wheels. SETTING YOUR EARS ABLAZE Blaze Audio’s portfolio was
CMT: TWO-STEPPING IN TEXAS
The Country Music Television (CMT) Awards is one of the most important live broadcast events in country music every year. Broadcast live from the Moody Center in Austin, Texas and driven by the genre’s loyal fanbase, the show brings together some of country’s biggest stars for an entertaining night of award recognition and musical performances. CMT audio producer Tom Davis brought in trusted collaborators from Hear – a partnership providing recording and mixing services.
“Making it all work on an emotional level can be challenging, which is one of the big advantages Hear brings to a project like this,” Davis commented. “We achieved that cohesiveness easily and it made the creative side of what we bring to a show like this much easier.” With 16 performances over the three-hour broadcast, collaboration between Davis and the front of house mixers allowed the team to dial in the right sound and feel for each act, as well as create sonic cohesion between them.
LASHINGS OF LOUDSPEAKERS
high-quality option to meet diverse demands for some of our client base,” commented Tom Wright, assistant head of audio at Sterling Events Group. Since then, Sterling has deployed EM Acoustics on some high-profile projects, including graduation balls at prestigious UK universities, JD’s recent annual retail conference as well as Nottingham Light Night. The R8’s adaptability has enabled Sterling to cater to a diverse mix of event types.
Sterling Events Group, a UK-based technical event production and hire company, recently expanded its professional audio offering with a substantial investment in EM Acoustics loudspeakers. The investment, comprised of 24 R8 Reference series loudspeakers alongside 12 S215 subwoofers, has granted Sterling Events Group access to a powerful audio arsenal. “EM’s R8s have been a game changer for us. We recognised the need for an accessible, though still
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TECH FESTIVAL PICKS LEYARD The Flanders Technology and Innovation Festival is a celebration of innovation in Belgium. Leyard Europe’s LN series LED screens were chosen for both the Unwrap Arena and virtual production area. The lightweight structures mean the panels were easily assembled and disassembled.
AV CONVERGES WITH CINEMA
DEATH METAL BAR AND SAUNA TURNS TO GENELEC
Renowned Indian filmmaker, Mani Shankar, recently directed a series of high-definition projection mapping experiences at the Global Spirituality Mahotsav 2024 event at Kanha Shanti Vanam. The show had a cinematic feel, with the first mapping of the Statue of Equality in Hyderabad, India, alongside Indian philosopher Ramanuja. Meanwhile, a stunning cinema show took place in-sync on flat screens in the foreground. BOLIN BRINGS IN NDI CAPABILITIES Bolin has broadened its PTZ lines with NDI 6 and HX3 integrations. It will license the latest NDI tech in its PTZ cameras, PTZ controller and decoder. “We are excited for our broadcast customers to experience the capabilities of NDI 6,” said Kyle Lo, CEO of Bolin. AUDIO AT OXFORD Sennheiser’s Speechline Digital Wireless microphone system was selected by University of Oxford’s 586-year-old All Souls College to enhance one of its most historic rooms. Despite the challenges presented by the room’s vaulted ceilings and old infrastructure, the installation was a success.
Located in Espoo, Finland, Bodom Bar & Sauna is the headquarters of death metal band Children of Bodom. Complete with poster- strewn walls, red leather sofas and band memorabilia, the venue recently collaborated with Genelec to create a sound system capable of handling the band’s back catalogue of chest-rattling riffs. Espoo is the hometown of the five-piece, who rose to fame in the late nineties and early 2000s. The bar and sauna were opened to celebrate the band’s legacy. Sound was a big consideration for the project, given it was to pay homage to one of Finland’s most influential death metal bands.
Fortunately, the band already had a history with Genlec – making it an obvious loudspeaker choice. “Eight of our studio albums were recorded in Finland and fully mixed and mastered on Genelec loudspeakers,” said Janne Wirman, the bar’s owner and former keyboardist of the band. “It’s safe to say that 90% of all the music we ever recorded was monitored on Genelec loudspeakers.” The loudspeaker system covers the whole main room of the bar, as well as the corridor leading to the saunas. The main space houses five 4030 models and the 7050 subwoofer, while the corridor features two loudspeakers.
KGEAR COMPLETES THE GH SERIES
Kgear recently announced the launch of the GH8, which will premiere for the first time at Infocomm. Building on the legacy of its predecessor, the GH4, the GH8 includes a dual-cone, eight-inch, full-range woofer that produces rich sound quality in a convenient form factor. “With its combination of Pure Array Technology and Slim Array Technology, the GH8 strikes a perfect balance between sleek design and powerful performance,” said Lorenzo De Poi, brand manager at Kgear. The GH8 integrates cardioid tech, allowing precise sound directionality and minimal unwanted noise.
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Ultra Events recently supported the much-anticipated return of pop-folk band Milky Chance to the stage in South Africa. The creative technical supplier provided a complete package, including a D&B Audiotechnik sound system. The performance was held at Green Point A Track Stadium, Cape Town. Part of a three-leg tour in South Africa was produced in collaboration with Breakout Events alongside Rogue Entertainment. Powered by D80 amplifiers, the sound system was based off D&B’s V-Series line array loudspeakers. This included 20 V8s and four V12s, stacked in a left-right configuration on either side of the stage. CAPE TOWN GIG BOOSTED BY V-SERIES
SHOWTIME FOR ELATION
For the world premiere of One of the Good Ones at the Pasadena Playhouse in southern California, lighting designer Jaymi Lee Smith turned to Elation’s new Proteus Odeon LED profile fixture to fulfil a number of lighting roles. The Odeon, a 30,000-lumen moving head housing a variable CRI LED engine, allowed the designer to find the best blend of intensity and colour accuracy to form onstage lighting while energising the theatre with full-on effects after the final curtain. “The production is a realistic comedy,” explained Smith. “While design as a
whole needed to gently support this story – and not bring conscious attention to itself – I still wanted the lighting design to help play a character within the play. There were moments the light needed to match the energy on stage, but other moments when the lighting needed to create tension.” For One of the Good Ones , Jaymi had six Odeon fixtures at her disposal; three used for an upstage window wall with one unit on a ladder offstage left for the main architectural window and front door, plus two units on a downstage truss over the audience for pickups.
The John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts continues to raise the bar for excellence in live entertainment – this time with the newest integration of Clear-Com communication solutions into its prestigious venue. The recent installation of over a dozen Freespeak II beltpacks in the Concert Hall at the centre hopes to significantly advance communications – on top of the 95 other beltpacks already in operation. “We are incredibly proud to support the Kennedy Center in its mission to inspire and enrich audiences through the performing arts,” said Paul Morini, regional sales manager at Clear-Com. From symphony performances to comedy shows and hip-hop concerts, Clear-Com’s communication solutions enable the Kennedy Center to deliver experiences to audience and artist alike. INTERCOM INTEGRATIONS AT JFK CENTER
EUROPALCO TRANSFORMS PORTUGAL’S BIGGEST VENUE Europalco is the largest provider of solutions for events and shows in southern Europe, and its recent transformation of Lisbon’s Meo Arena into a sensory delight for the Generali Tranquilidade annual meeting event was one to remember. The audio-visual equipment supplier implemented an impressive and subst range of AV tech, scenography and furniture, turning the Meo Arena into an immersive sanctuary for the 3000 attendees – including employees and business partners from across the country. One of the highlights was the integration of LED wristbands, synchronised by radio frequency, which changed the colour to reflect the transition of the old green branding of the company to the new Tranquilidade red brand. This extended to the furniture, with 240 tables illuminated and controlled via the lighting desk – perfectly complementing the visual compositions.
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In a continuation of his Bafta award-winning Museum Alive 3D film and app, David Attenborough leads audiences through his unique experience that promises to educate and entertain. Museum Alive helps Apple Vision Pro users learn about prehistoric life, utilising the latest spatial computing and audio technology. Users can discover photorealistic fossils of long-lost animals and choose a creature to watch come to life in an all-new immersive spatial experience. Produced using Apple’s latest spatial computing technology, Museum Alive brings virtual worlds into your home. Built using scientifically accurate 3D models and animations, it provides a unique window into the extinct through accurate skeletons, behaviours and mannerisms. ATTENBOROUGH AND APPLE VISION PRO
TATESIDE X HALKIN COLLAB LEADS TO LANDMARK LONDON PREMISES
KV2 BRINGS CLARITY TO DERBY CATHEDRAL Founded in 1943, the Cathedral Church of All Saints – or better known as Derby Cathedral – is one of Derby’s most historic sites. It hosts 18 services per week, and recently turned to Acoustic Solutions to upgrade their audio set-up to bring it in line with modern requirements. “Once clients are exposed to KV2, they do not want anything else,” stated Charles Brown, specialist consultant and integrator for Acoustic Solutions. The cathedral needed crystal- clear spoken-word and low-level playback without over-exciting the acoustic of the building. It decided to work with ESD25 and ESD5 from KV2, after viewing many options.
Co-working space and office rental provider Halkin recently opened a shiny new premises on King William Street in the heart of London’s financial district. Distributed on four floors, this landmark workspace required an extensive audio- visual set-up. Tateside is a London-based AV and IT specialist, which led the integration of a complete AV system across a total of eight meeting rooms. “We have worked with Halkin on several workspaces over the past couple of years,” revealed Jack Cornish, technical director at Tateside. “We started out collaborating on smaller jobs such as upgrades of existing meeting rooms. The complete integration of the new office spaces at King William Street is our largest project with Halkin.” Tateside was involved in the project from the early stages, working with initial room designs and client requirements. With connectivity and automation in mind, the project was designed to aid
collaboration in communal spaces for all, even those with no experience in setting up hybrid meeting spaces. Alongside a large range of Neat products, Tateside also selected three Yealink PTZ cameras, including one tracking model. In addition, it integrated digital signage and a background audio system on all four floors – comprising Bose Design/Max DM5C in-ceiling loudspeakers and Samsung Frame 4K HDR Smart TVs.
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ILLUMINATING THE ZEPPELIN MUSEUM LTS recently supplied the luminaries for the new lighting solution in the Zeppelin Museum. The old lights were removed and replaced by new, sustainable LED lamps from LTS. The entrance hall ceiling can set the LEDs to various colours, creating a range of mood and atmosphere options. Nexadyne dynamic microphone platform with Shure Revonic Dual Transducer Technology. Available in cardioid and supercardioid polar patterns, Nexadyne vocal mics achieve polar pattern consistency and top-level touring performance, allowing a sound engineer’s job to be much smoother. REVOLUTIONISED LEARNING AT ICL The Department of Chemistry at Imperial College London recently partnered with DVSI to introduce Digibox, a new co-learning space. It features a five-metre interactive screen – currently positioning it as the largest seamless touchscreen in the UK. Students and academics can now explore complex research and engage in collaborative work like never before. SHURE DEBUTS NEXADYNE MICS Shure has introduced the RECORD-BREAKING LED PURCHASE Solotech has revealed that a collaboration with Roe Visual resulted in the purchase of more than 5000 sq m of LED tiles – this is including 4500 sq m of identical carbon LED tiles – making it the largest single batch of LED tiles ever recorded. This deployment marks a significant milestone for both companies.
After playing a stretch of in-store shows at independent record shops across the nation, the K’s arrived at one of their local concert venues: the 1000-cap Grade II listed Parr Hall in Warrington. To ensure the perfect audio experience for their fans, Martin Audio rental partner DBS Solutions was parachuted in to provide its flagship WPS (Wavefront Precision) scalable line array. “Despite not being able to fly the PA, the WPS continued to deliver in its ground stack format,” confirmed the band’s FOH OVERCOMING A VICTORIAN VENUE engineer Ben Hubbard. “The system provided even and consistent output throughout the show, conveying an accurate representation of the mix to every audience member.” Systems engineer Daniel Clare designed the rig in such a way as to provide coverage to both the primary standing area and the initial parts of the balcony. It was there where the Torus system in the venue took over to provide even coverage into the furthest recesses of the upper balcony. DA-LITE SCREEN ON MODUS VR Da-Lite recently announced that its Tensioned Advantage visual appeal and solve the most time-consuming obstacles in projection
electric screen with Sightline cable drop is now available in the latest release of the Modus VR visual experience platform.
screen installations,” said Wendy Cox, director of product management at Da-Lite. “Now, you can see this eye-
catching feature and speed up the purchasing decision process in a compelling way.”
“Two years ago, the Sightline cable drop feature redefined the projection screen category with its ability to add
The widely popular dating show, Love Island USA , has been relying on Riedel Communications’ tech solutions for most of its seasons since its inception in 2015. The heart of the set-up features an integrated 256-port Artist digital matrix, the Bolero wireless intercom system with over 30 beltpacks and approximately 80 Smartpanels. Riedel’s solution plays a key role in enabling communications and coordination among the production and technical personnel. The show has ventured to diverse locations, such as Fiji, Las Vegas and Hawaii – each with its own communication obstacles. At times, the control room and sets were 100 miles apart. LOVE ISLAND INTERCOMS: MATCH MADE IN HEAVEN
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AN AFFAIR TO As LIVE heads to Las
Vegas for Infocomm 2024, we outline what to expect and what not to miss from this year’s show, including top tips from Avixa’s own Rochelle Richardson T he largest pro AV event in all of North Words Katie Kasperson America, Infocomm is an annually occurring conference that links manufacturers, integrators, equipment dealers and end users, highlighting the latest and greatest tech to hit AV markets. This year, from 8 to 14 June (with exhibits beginning on the 12th), Infocomm hits the floor of the Las Vegas Convention Center (don’t worry, it’s air-conditioned!), sprawling over 350,000 sq ft of stalls, stages and the like. Produced by Avixa (Audiovisual and Integrated Experience Association), the fixture is sure to be one not to miss, with an evening at Sphere, live TV broadcast and slew of seminars on the agenda. The conference itself is split up into seven focus areas: audio, content production and streaming, conferencing and collaboration, digital signage, enterprise IT, learning technologies and, finally, events and entertainment. Sub-themes range from hybrid working environments, including telephony and video conferencing systems, projection screens and LED displays, rigging and staging, signal routing and acoustics, as well as popular topics like cloud tech and digital media distribution. EXTRA EVENTS This year’s Infocomm includes an exciting new addition: on 11 June, the show will host An Evening at Sphere, allowing attendees to experience the venue’s immersive technology through filmmaker Darren Aronofsky’s Postcard from Earth . Since opening in September 2023, this orb-shaped auditorium – designed specifically for live audio-visual entertainment – has been a hot topic of conversation in the industry, signalling a much more prominent shift towards four-dimensional events. “Sphere is the perfect setting to welcome pro AV professionals from around the world to Infocomm – the event will leave them energised for the trade show and inspired by the magic created by pro AV,” says Infocomm producer Rochelle Richardson, CEM
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REMEMBER
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Sphere will be putting on a special show for 2024, featuring Darren Aronofsky’s immersive film Postcard from Earth
and more. Nearby, the Production Stage will demo live multicam production – complete with monitors, routers and conversion equipment – enabling just two or three operators to put together a professional-grade broadcast. Other spaces include the Shoutcast Area and Coach’s Stage, offering a more laid-back approach to esports with play-by-play coverage and business-orientated talks, respectively. In short: “Esports Live 2.0 will be a lively place,” Richardson states. “Also new this year,” begins Richardson, “the show will have a big focus on AI. Joe Pham, chairman and CEO of QSC, will deliver the keynote ‘Everything Has Changed’, which will concentrate on how the pro AV industry can capture the opportunities presented by AI. The show will debut the Infocomm AI Experience on the floor (C10125), featuring a line-up of engaging speakers and exhibitors, a generative AI photo booth and AVA AI
and senior VP of exposition and event services at Avixa. Tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis, with Postcard from Earth prefaced by a reception in the Atrium. Infocomm will offer Integrated Experience Tours, also beginning on 11 June, with destinations including the HyperX Arena, Illuminarium Experiences, Area15 and the University of Nevada. These will go hand-in-hand with Show Floor Tours, organising the Convention Center’s layout by a given theme such as sustainability. At Infocomm 2024, the experiences don’t stop there. For those interested in esports, Esports Live 2.0 is a perfect match, letting attendees in on the world of collegiate competition. All happening at booth C9771, the special event will see teams battle for glory on the Gaming Stage, decked out with top-of-the-line tech from Sony, Spectrum, Planar, Q-Sys
Also new this year will be a big focus on AI. QSC CEO Joe Pham will deliver the keynote ‘Everything Has Changed’”
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TALK THE TALK As first-timers at Infocomm, we at LIVE can’t wait to dive into the conference’s many panels, seminars and speeches. Here’s a small sample of the ones we’ll be seated for. DS + EV: CHARGING FOR CHANGE! Wednesday 12 June | 8.30am | W231 With electric vehicles (and their charging stations) on the rise, fresh advertising opportunities are cropping up alongside them. A panel of digital signage and business development experts discuss how EV charging stations can serve as catalysts for increased revenue via contextually relevant content. STREAMING WITH REMOTE GUESTS Wednesday 12 June | 1:30pm | W222 Addressing a critical topic in today’s remote-working world, this session outlines how to get the best visual compositions, audio and video signals from remote contributors. With many applications in news, sport and social media, Midtown Video CEO Jesse Miller and Stream Virtual Productions Ltd executive producer Nate Hall offer their best practices. SUSTAINABILITY AND EFFICIENCY: THE FUTURE IS FIBER Wednesday 12 June | 4:00pm | W225 Tailored towards IT professionals, integrators and all others in the AV industry, this session explores how fibre cables are more environmentally friendly and efficient than their copper – Infocomm’s new AI-powered guide,” she concludes. Sustainability will be another big focus at this year’s Infocomm. “Attendees will have the opportunity to learn more manufacturers showcasing eco-friendly products and solutions, energy-efficient displays, use of recyclable materials and more,” describes Richardson. On Friday 14 June, visitors can learn all about SAVe (Sustainability in AV) Certification, an initiative launched in 2022 to address industry environmentalism and about sustainability and energy efficiency in AV technology, with encourage social responsibility. “This full-day programme covers important information on current sustainability issues, a workshop session to identify ways your business can address any sustainability goals, and a planning session to turn your ideas into action.” Elsewhere, enjoy Avixa TV, which will be broadcasting live from the show floor, as well as Avixa Xchange for inspiring conversations about the AV industry’s past, present and future. Attendees can discover groundbreaking innovations and advancements spanning AR, VR, immersive audio and IoT – all inside Infocomm’s Trailblazers Zone – and avoid picking up ambient noise in the Audio Demo Rooms.
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The first edition of Esports Live at last year’s Infocomm was a huge success – don’t miss version 2.0 this time at booth C9771
counterparts, as well as how to minimise disruption during installation. WHAT IS IMMERSIVE AUDIO? Wednesday 12 June | 4:00pm | W219 and W220 The entertainment industries have been trending towards immersion, with spatial audio slowly replacing standard sound on Apple Music. This panel looks closer at the idiosyncrasies involved and suggests different approaches to achieving truly immersive audio. VIRTUAL INCLUSION IN THE METAVERSE Thursday 13 June | 8:30am | W225 Still in its early days, the metaverse is relatively uncharted territory – and the associated ethics are up for debate. How will diversity, equality and inclusion take shape in this virtual environment? HOK’s Adriana Rojas and Kay Sargent offer their insights into this unprecedented, yet important issue. THE CLASSROOM TECHNOLOGY PROCESS LOOP: HOW TO BEAT, NOT JUST MEET, RISING EXPECTATIONS Thursday 13 June | 8:30am | W213, W214 and W215 Delivered by Pepperdine University’s senior IT manager, Jared Mukai, this talk addresses contemporary classroom tech and how to effectively manage entire campuses, making life a little easier for higher education IT teams.
ACCESSIBLE AUDIO IN AV ROOM DESIGNS Thursday 13 June | 1:00pm | W223 and W224 A frank and necessary conversation about accessibility, this session covers various assistive listening systems (ALS) and their strengths and weaknesses, identifying how AV professionals can deliver clear audio – as well as closed captioning – to audiences.
introduced three new cameras – the X1, X1 Ultra and Maki Ultra – the Birddog booth will have plenty in terms of demos and displays. A global manufacturer of PTZs, converters, hardware and software, the company prides itself on its superior robotics, unrivalled compatibility and exceptional customer service. Blackmagic Design is bringing a slate of new solutions to the show floor. From a UHD broadcast monitor to the latest improvements for its DaVinci Resolve editor, Blackmagic’s products can do it all – and have the credentials to prove it. Come for the new converters, stay for the Ethernet switch and experience everything in between. BLACKMAGIC DESIGN W2500
BATCH OF BOOTHS BIRDDOG C5008
Experience the ‘Birddog difference’ at Infocomm 2024! Having recently
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CANON C8763
A legendary name in photo and video, Canon is a worldwide leader in digital imaging. From cameras and camcorders to lenses, reference displays and more, the company will be demonstrating its latest solutions for imaging professionals – such as a broadcast lens, power zoom kit and selection of PTZs – at Infocomm this year. CHRISTIE W1024 From stunning shows to the show floor, experience is everything. Christie’s solutions – spanning projection, video wall, show control and processing – are designed to work together. Whether creating spectacular events, taking control of mission-critical command centres or showcasing big ideas in a corporate boardroom, its solutions help create experiences that engage, inform and inspire. Clear-Com introduced portable wired intercom systems for live performances. Ever since then, its rapid technological advancements and innovations have delivered significant improvements to the way people collaborate. Across the fields of broadcast, live performance, live events, sports, military, aerospace and government, its comms products have consistently met the demand for high- quality audio, reliability, scalability and low latency. CLEAR-COM C5515 Meyer Sound provides integrated solutions for sound reinforcement, spatial sound, acoustic systems, studio monitoring and high-end residential. The first to introduce dedicated loudspeaker processors, source-independent measurement, large-scale self-powered loudspeakers and cardioid subwoofers, the brand maintains rigorous quality control in its design and manufacturing of sustainable solutions across sectors. PTZOPTICS/HUDDLECAMHD C10107 HuddlecamHD – sister company to PTZOptics – engineers affordable wired and wireless USB-connected pan-tilt- zoom video conferencing cameras for educational, corporate and remote work applications. Engineered for today’s distributed workforce, HuddlecamHD leapfrogs out-of-date technology with cloud-based video communication solutions that quickly modernise both in-office meeting spaces and at-home offices by creating collaborative video conferencing environments. MEYER SOUND C9701/N209
Scour the show floor for product demonstrations, technical advice and more
in the fields of acoustics, audio and wireless tech to provide high-quality, repeatable solutions that adapt easily to a wide range of applications – with a product line that spans microphones, headphones and earphones, plus loudspeakers and mixers. BUCKLE UP While trade shows can be intimidating – the sheer number of opportunities for engagement can appear endless – Infocomm is here to help new visitors.
“We encourage and invite all first-time attendees to join us for the Avixa Rising Professionals Council at the Avixa Member Lounge (N243) on Wednesday 12 June at 8am, ahead of the trade show opening, where we will provide tips to maximise their time at Infocomm and plan must-attend sessions, show floor tours and networking opportunities,” shares Richardson. Whether it’s your first visit or your fifth, this year’s Infocomm promises a host of topical experiences. To register or learn more, visit infocommshow.org
SHURE C8334/N232
Whether it’s a keynote speech, lecture or video conference, audio quality is critical to successful communication. Shure leverages a wealth of knowledge
24 SOUNDSCAPES FESTIVAL
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Festival season is officially upon us, and with it comes an annual innovative showcase of AV talent. LIVE meets the minds behind Coachella, Signal and Roskilde to learn more Words Verity Butler
26 SOUNDSCAPES S weltering summer nights a music festival. This, plus a psychedelic backdrop of striking strobes, booming sound systems and dazzling visuals. However, these creative gatherings go back much further than the invention of the glow stick, having been a permanent fixture in societies that dates back many thousands of years. One of the first-ever recorded festivals was held in 582BC in ancient Greece – marking the creation of the Pythian Games. Though that might have been somewhat different to today’s definition, it does highlight the inherent element in human nature that draws us towards celebrating live music and cultural experiences with each other. filled with sequin-studded faces and fluorescent forms are the usual images the mind conjures when thinking about The festivals of the late 20th and 21st centuries have exploded in popularity, and their format has consequently changed drastically both in terms of the music and how it’s performed. This has led to a myriad of show- stopping innovations in the audio-visual (AV) field, with world-renowned events such as Glastonbury, Primavera Sound, Burning Man and Tomorrowland acting as yearly exhibitions for some of the most exciting tools available to the live events market. THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE COACHELLA A rising star in the festival pool has been the US’s answer to Glastonbury: Coachella. Garnering a mix of opinions
WATCH ME Lana Del Rey and Billie Eilish take to the stage to perform Ocean Eyes
regarding its influencer-studded range of attendees, it has served some of the most advanced AV feats of recent times. There was the legendary performance by Daft Punk in 2006, landing in the festival’s Sahara Tent in an LED pyramid that somewhat resembled a spaceship. This show has been so influential, some even claim it to be to EDM what the Sex Pistols at Manchester’s Lesser Free Trade Hall was to punk. Coachella has even been known to ‘resurrect’ music greats; during a set by Dr Dre and Snoop Dogg, rap legend Tupac materialised on the stage with them via hologram. With great performances like these come great production teams. Bianca Gan is an RF coordinator for Frequency Coordination Group, and 2024 was her second year of being part of the team for Coachella. “As the RF coordinators, we check in with the stage audio crew to make sure all the house wireless gear is working throughout the festival, as well as the monitor engineers, techs or RF techs for each band that may be bringing in their own wireless package,” Gan says. With the focal role of troubleshooting any issues people may have with their RF equipment, Bianca and her team have first-hand experience of the AV needs for an event of this size. “Most of the prep involves getting as much information beforehand from the bands about what wireless gear they’re bringing in. We need to know exactly what model and ranges are needed, plus how many frequencies and any two-way intercom systems they may be using.” A big issue often faced by AV teams when it comes to large-scale music festivals is a basic one: communication. “The challenges at Coachella are like every other music festival, where we’re often working with either insufficient or incorrect information. It’s important that bands and any other activations across a festival site get us correct information regarding makes, models and ranges of gear. We can then ensure it will all work within the specific RF spectrum and avoid making last-minute changes.” Gan emphasises that she usually carries a pair of Shure SE215s with her in instances where ‘we’ll occasionally need to listen to an IEM pack to help
troubleshoot something’, leveraging the earphones’ professional sound- isolating qualities. As another successful edition of the festival comes to a close – with groundbreaking performances from the likes of Lana Del Rey, Tyler the Creator and Doja Cat this year – the controversial festival continues to be a glowing emblem for AV innovation. MORE THAN THE MUSIC That said, not all festivals serve as a celebration of sound – many exist to recognise a wide array of arts and cultures. There is even a festival out there with a dedicated focus on the unwavering creative talents of those hailing from our own industry. Signal, based in Prague, is a festival of digital and creative culture. During its ten-year run, it has welcomed more than 4.5 million visitors, aiming to link contemporary visual art, urban space and modern technology. In other words: from around the world, showcasing everything from dazzling light design and digital art to cutting-edge AI and thoughtful conceptual pieces,” begins Martin Pošta, founder and CEO of Signal Festival. “But Signal is so much more than just a show – it’s about learning, exploring and getting inspired. Whether you are a kid or a professional, there’s something at Signal for you.” Having become the most-visited cultural event in Czechia, the festival acts to educate itself as well as its visitors. It links the historical backdrop of beloved Prague with the latest technologies and contemporary social issues. When asked to highlight some of his favourite installations featured at Signal, Pošta immediately noted, The Physical Possibility of Death in the Mind of Someone Living . “Unveiled in 2022, [the project] challenges conventional notions of mortality through a captivating display of light and sculpture,” he explains. “This thought-provoking installation confronts viewers with the fragility of life, inviting it’s an AV nerd’s idea of heaven. “Our festival unites top talent them to contemplate their personal experience in the face of mortality. “Through its powerful imagery and immersive design, [the project] sparks
Coachella has become a staple for music lovers, platforming massive talents from rap legends to pop icons
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Vibrant visuals and sensational sounds on show at Coachella 2024
The challenges at Coachella are like every other music festival; we’re working with insufficient or incorrect information”
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It is more than just an educational event; it’s a forum for conversations that connects the domains of business and cutting-edge technology”
Real cars from war-affected regions in Ukraine were used
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evolved into a display of digital and creative culture, as we get ready for its 12th edition,” he concludes. “We’re thrilled to add a conference this year – it is more than simply an educational event; it’s a lively forum for conversation that connects the domains of business, cutting-edge technology and the arts.” DANISH DECIBELS Europe is brimming with internationally recognised festivals. From Glastonbury to Primavera Sound, Tomorrowland to Sziget, there is certainly no shortage. Denmark’s own major addition to this list is Roskilde Festival. One of the largest festivals in Europe, it was created in 1971 and became the country’s first music-orientated festival created for hippies. Today, it covers more of the mainstream youth from Scandinavia and the rest of Europe. Lars Liliengren, head of production at Roskilde Festival, has been with the organisation for 16 years – the first six as a volunteer production manager. His extensive background with the festival gives him a unique insight into its personal evolution, as well as how the production has grown over that period. “I oversee the production of our programme, which includes everything from building stages, working with suppliers for any kind of AV solution – including sound, lighting and staging,” he begins. “We also have a volunteer organisation which brings us in roughly 2000 volunteers.” Since 1972, Roskilde has been a non-profit organisation. By the early eighties, a professional board of directors was necessary due to its growth – but the festival remains non-profit and still relies largely on thousands of volunteers. “We are not a traditional concert promoter; we’re a foundation with a charitable purpose. Throughout the previous 50 festivals, we have raised around $62 million,” says Liliengren. It was during the eighties that Roskilde truly began to branch out in its music genres. In the nineties, electronic music was introduced – and with that came new stages and tents to accommodate it. Since then, artists like Fatboy Slim, The Prodigy, Basement Jaxx and the Chemical Brothers have appeared on the main stage.
meaningful conversations about human experience and the passage of time.” The installation was composed of burnt-out cars from the war in Ukraine – the cars acting as a cruel testimony to a horrific tragedy and direct evidence of 21st-century warfare. The cars on display were imported directly from areas affected by the war, accompanied by the stories of Ukrainian citizens who not only lost their cars, but all of their possessions and loved ones in many cases. When it came to identifying the AV trends – which Pošta had picked up from the installations on display at Signal over the years – there were certainly a few unsurprising candidates. “There has been a tendency toward the creation of immersive environments. For a totally immersive experience, these installations frequently incorporate noises, graphics and occasionally even tactile aspects. “Additionally, real-world data streams are being used by artists more to create amazing visual and aural experiences. This trend demonstrates the creative possibilities of leveraging technology to interpret and depict complex facts in ways that are both interesting and understandable to a wider audience, as well as highlighting the beauty concealed in the data all around us.” interesting to hear what the projector of choice was. “At the 11th Signal Festival,” reveals Pošta, “we extensively utilised a range of Christie products to bring our immersive light art experience to life. Primarily, we used Christie projectors across many different key installations, enhancing the visual impact of our featured artists’ works. “For instance, at the Public Library in Prague’s centre, we showed off the mesmerising video mapping titled Luminary Glyphs by Hungarian artist András László Nagy. This captivating presentation relied on Christie projectors to seamlessly transform the architectural canvas into a dynamic display.” As Pošta and his team gear up for the 12th edition of Signal in October this year, he reflects on its transformation in line with AV’s own industry-wide evolution. “It is evident that the Signal Festival – which began as a festival of light – has With projections the dominant equipment used at Signal, it was
Projections took centre stage at Signal, delivering an immersive display of light art with Christie products
“We are looking into doing our 52nd festival this year. For this edition, we have seven stages and a couple of others with interdisciplinary programmes – with arts and activism joining music,” he adds. So, where do you even start with a live production of this scale? “First of all, it’s figuring out what the site is going to be like for the upcoming festival and looking at the capacity for the different stages. We then start to work with suppliers (most of which we have 20-year-old relationships with) and figure out the festival’s needs for that year. From there, it goes into design.” The most recognisable stage of the event is dubbed the Orange Stage. Formerly known as the Canopy Scene, this orange-tented stage was previously used by the legendary Rolling Stones on a European tour. Since its beginning, the Canopy Scene and its characteristic arches have become a well-recognised symbol and logo proudly representing the festival. Getting the staging right is the first step to the preparation of any festival; the next is sound, and it’s not one you want to be taking lightly. “In 2018, we kicked off our strategic partnership with Meyer Sound,” remarks Liliengren. “We had worked with many brands on the side, but we had Meyer Sound systems at some of the stages for many years. We chose them back then because they always sent a tech support to the festival. “We have a fairly small site, where we cram in seven stages. The noise you get from the stages can carry through the
WATCH ME See the incredible light show at the 2023 edition of Signal Festival
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As one of Europe’s largest festivals, Roskilde brings music, art, activism, camping and freedom to visitors
wind; Denmark is quite a flat country, and we usually have a heavy western wind coming through. Once you get a supplier or manufacturer involved like we have with Meyer, you can plan your site more thoroughly.” Meyer Sound is at the origin of several major audio innovations which have led to more than 100 patents. “We deploy almost every product in its live range. Some stages vary from a couple of hundred up to the Orange Stage, which is 60,000 in capacity, making the variety of speakers and systems at the festival very wide,” concludes Liliengren. “Last year saw the debut of Panther at Roskilde – and it was a huge success,” begins Bob McCarthy, director of system optimisation at Meyer Sound. “This year, we will be joined by the 2100-LFC. We have expanded the system to the full set of modern tools. “We are able to deliver a consistency of sound from venue to venue, despite the huge differences in scale – all the way from the 500-person barn to the 100,000-capacity Orange Stage.”
Meyer Sound’s involvement at Roskilde has been instrumental in delivering technical support
It will be interesting to see how we can use our brilliant minds to get around the issue of sustainability and work towards greener touring”
With its sound set-up secured, Liliengren looks to the festival’s future. “Right now, many concerts are turning into shows,” he surmises. “Some 20 years ago, it was a band on a stage. Currently, it’s an artist with a group of dancers and special effects, turning it into a different audience experience. “Roskilde has a primary focus on sustainability, but it’s a huge challenge that the whole industry faces. It will be interesting to see how we can use our brilliant minds to get around it and work towards greener touring.”
WATCH ME Get ready for the next Roskilde Festival, coming June/July of 2024
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