The UAE has never been a country to shy away from the grand and spectacular, so when Abu Dhabi International Airport was renamed Zayed International Airport, the occasion was always going to attract some fanfare. Tasked with creating an entertainment production to mark the launch on both a local and international scale, People produced a spectacular, technically challenging filmed showcase that featured a swarm of 1,750 drones, which formed a three-dimensional A380 aeroplane that ‘landed on the airport’s north runway. “Emphasising aviation excellence and engaging with a largely aviation-focused audience while launching the new airport name impactfully were our key…
Author: Peter Iantorno
What do you do when you want to host a concert, but you can’t quite find the perfect space with the right facilities for it? For most companies, the solution would be to compromise somewhere – perhaps with a lower capacity or smaller production values. However, for MDLBEAST, an organisation that has always danced to the beat of its own drum – the word ‘compromise’ is not part of the vocabulary. “We looked around some beautiful venues but nothing in Jeddah was equipped for the calibre of show we wanted, so we thought why not create our own arena that…
The UAE has made no secret of its desire to push the envelope with its approach to emerging technology, and the country further bolstered its credentials in the field recently with an all-new extreme racing series that saw eight AI-powered cars race around Abu Dhabi’s Yas Marina Circuit, roared on by a crowd of more than 10,000 in person and 600,000 online. Conceived by ASPIRE – part of the UAE’s Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC) – and brought together by the tireless efforts of engineers, scientists, and programmers, the inaugural Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League (A2RL) saw teams from educational…
While it became clear during the COVID-19 pandemic that nothing can truly replicate the buzz of live, in-person experiences, the success and subsequent proliferation of livestreamed music events that occurred during the period proved that there remains a place for these types of productions even now the live events industry is thankfully back up to full strength. One artist who fully embraced the format is David Guetta, with the DJ producing several special sets that were premiered on YouTube, performing from spectacular settings such as the Louvre Abu Dhabi and the helipad on Dubai’s Burj Al Arab. “Of course, we…
Since kicking off his tour in Dublin in April 2022, Ed Sheeran has taken his + – = ÷ x (Mathematics) Tourto more than 100 cities around the world, wowing millions of fans along the way with his now-iconic one-man, in-the-round production. The English singer-songwriter wrapped up the Middle East and Asia leg of the tour in March at Mumbai’s Mahalaxmi Racecourse, with his production team linking up with Major Tom and Meyer Sound, along with India-based distributor Sun Infonet, and sound equipment suppliers, Total Multimedia, Phoenix Networks, Friends of Shiva, and PP Sound, to deliver an unforgettable sonic experience.…
It’s often said that the events industry is one that chooses you, rather than you choosing it – and this is certainly something that rings true when it comes to Al Laith’s Director of Operations, Michael Clark. Born in Cairo, brought up in Dubai and educated in the UK and Australia, Clark is the poster boy for the benefits of a truly international outlook on life and, as he explains in this interview, he was bitten by the events bug right from the start. With Al Laith turning 30 next year and Clark having been with the company for 14…
The frequent transportation and assembly of rental LED displays often leads to damage and increased maintenance costs, posing challenges for rental clients. Unilumin’s rental solutions address these issues with its innovative U-shield technology. This tech significantly reduces lamp-fall rates and maintenance needs by 90% while boosting turnover rates fivefold. Its durable lamps offer superior thrust, saving clients on maintenance and replacement costs. Additionally, the technology ensures a wide viewing angle with no specular reflection, offering clear images from any angle. Plus high-brightness chips and all-black frames provide high contrast and vivid colors, ideal for HDR display. The ideal choice for…
Following the landmark success of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, the country was once again in the spotlight as it hosted the 18th edition of the AFC Asian Cup in January 2024. With expectations set sky high, the organisers were looking for an Opening Ceremony that defied the conventions of traditional pre-match entertainment and set the tone for the tournament. Tasked with meeting this mammoth challenge was Qatar-based Katara Studios, with Shannon Gobell appointed to the role of Technical Director for the project. “I received the call from Katara back in late July 2023,” he told TPiMEA, recalling how…
Dubai can mix it with the world’s best destinations in terms of one-off live events and celebrations, but historically, when it comes to ‘proper’ multi-day festivals, the emirate has never really managed to stick the landing. However, all this changed in February when the world-famous UNTOLD Festival brought its inimitable brand of musical magic to the city, holding the first ever UNTOLD Dubai at Expo City. Hosting a plethora of artists representing a range of genres across multiple stages over four action-packed days, this was a ‘proper’ festival in every sense of the word. “UNTOLD Dubai exceeded our expectations, and…
As the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia commemorated its Founding Day, the capital city of Riyadh was illuminated by a remarkable light installation in the King Fahd National Library Park. Initially intended for the Al Faisaliah Tower, the project was reimagined for the Library Park by the team at ES:ME Entertainment Services, led by Project Manager Karen Zeindl, who oversaw the production team. On the evening of 22 February, a light show marked by sweeping beams, chases and intricate patterns filled the skies above Riyadh. The event, which ran every 30 minutes, drew in audiences with its complexity and elegance. “This…
It’s no secret that d&b audiotechnik has major plans for the Middle East, with the company making a series of strategic moves aiming to increase its presence in the region. In the latest impressive move for the German audio manufacturer, TPiMEA can exclusively reveal that UK-headquartered technical event production company and global d&b Soundscape specialist Southby Productions has been appointed as a new Sales Partner for d&b in the GCC. The deal will see Southby bring its world-leading London Soho d&b Soundscape facility philosophy to the Saudi Arabian capital in the coming months, offering not only a Soundscape pre-production facility…
An award-winning lighting and production designer and the Founder and Managing Director of one of the most well-respected and longstanding production companies in the UAE, Terry Miranda is a name that will no doubt be familiar with the vast majority of TPiMEA readers. Born and raised in the UAE, Miranda cut his teeth in the industry working on shows for the likes of Bon Jovi, Bryan Adams, and Def Leppard before taking the plunge and setting up Lighthouse Productions (LHP) in 2004. Now 20 years on from its foundation, LHP is one of the region’s best regarded multidisciplinary production design…
