projects we’ve loved

We arrived nice and early into the Town hall and began with two of our team members rigging the steel cable between the balconies and assuring safety first. By the time our second van arrived with the more delicate equipment the mirrorballs were hung in all their glory. Now for the fun with the lighting to begin, we headed to the balcony to create the rotating stars with our new LED Gobo Rotators and also began to erect the mirrorballs and moving head lights. Once switched on and programmed suddenly the room became what felt like being inside a snow globe! It certainly looked very disco. Next for our hanging of the vintage Neon Bar Open sign and supplying light for the bar staff to see when in service, we tend not to give too much colour behind working areas as it can be distracting for the servers. Now the finer details were coming together. We wanted to hang the large Christmas Neon which we were all looking forward to seeing, switched it on and watched the amazing glow of the Argon gases illuminate the green tubes. The next was a set of the older retro lights we stock, we stock the retro section to be different to other supplies and also as some of these past gone amazing effects are not available anymore or incredibly expensive to try and recreate and sometimes impossible. Our Solar 250 Oil Wheel effects were then shone onto the back walls either side of the organ on the main stage to give a nod to the oldskool disco vibe. Now for the final touch, the uplighting on the upper and lower levels of the hall with colours to match the disco coolness and this also included the stairways and the Assembly Room. We are present at the beginning if each one to be sure everything is fully operational and switched on and programmed. After roughly 15 events it’s time to derig the equipment and give the security and events team time to relax. We arrive at midnight with as many hands as possible from our team and clear the venue and wish everyone a Merry Christmas.

We created a fake bonfire from multiple sized silk flames and topped it with a real gas flame flambeaux to create the desired effect within our boundaries of safety. This would give the feel of a cozy bonfire outside in the quad whilst guests were able to drink their hot chocolates and it was certainly a cold evening so very realistic. After a countdown from ten to 1 animated on the wall with a high powered laser the classical music began and a soundtrack with special effects including whistles and bangs synced started playing. With fog jet bursts and coloured smoke to create the gerbs on ground level to high powered beamed dancing and shooting up into the sky we also animated the wall washes with chasing colors and fades which were being controlled by our on site lighting technician. We also projected a welcome sign onto the quad when guests entered the area and had animations from a multi-coloured laser beaming through the two low fog hazers we had to give the misty atmosphere outside. The hazers also helped to let the light beams shine through. With the soundtrack coming to an end after roughly 12-15 mins and our firework gobo lights strobing it was time to wind down the show. As we wanted this to be as realistic as possible. We let the silk flames ripple and the flambeau stayed lit whilst guests left the quad to go back into the warmth and and ended off with some soft music whilst talking with a few of the guests before we packed down the equipment. We had the whole venue internally and externally packed down and in the van ready to sign out and leave the venue within roughly an hour and a half.

Upon arrival and signing in with security and vehicles parked it was time for us to load all AV equipment into the shop floor and get everything set up before doors open at 10:00am. With a final walk through with the event planner we then knew the exact areas being used and which packages were to go where. The first being the panel talks as this was priority for us, this consisted of lapel microphones and pa speakers for a smaller audience area. The area is very intimate and needed to be as discreet as possible so we make sure our engineers are seen as little as possible in front of the cameras. 

Once the mics were checked for any interference and sound levels set to avoid any feedback it was time to move onto the demo area, this consisted of headset mics as a demo of products was to be carried out live in front of the audience area. Similar to the lapel mics we tune the sets and test the levels and then head to the multiple floors with the team splitting up, we set up smart looking DJ Booths and sleek looking pa systems for the DJ’s and always supply the latest DJ equipment including just recently pioneer CDJ3000’s & A9 Mixer when requested or shown on the artists rider. 

Once the speeches and live show was about to start we requested for the store to lower its internal speaker system so we don’t clash with the music instore. Once the live shows have finished drinks and canapes are served and the DJ’s begin until store closing unless a VIP afterparty is arranged. Our AV techs are always onsite when microphones are being used for presentations or live shows. The team are quick to take down any areas now not being used while the DJ entertains the crowds and when the last track is played we’re ready for action. Everything is then cleared away safely with a final room and floor check and loaded back into the loading bay, once we’re clear of the building the security then signs us out.