Areal has appointed François Villaret as Chief Executive Officer, formalising a relationship that began when he joined the company as a strategic advisor in July 2025. Villaret brings extensive experience in spatial audio, go-to-market strategy and international commercial development. Prior to joining Areal, he spent seven years as Head of Business Development at immersive loudspeaker manufacturer HOLOPLOT, joining when it was a six-person team and serving as a management team member as the business grew to more than 130 people. During that time, Villaret worked across go-to-market strategy, partnerships and commercial expansion, helping develop opportunities across live sound, experiential entertainment…
Author: Todd Staszko
A new cultural centre in Staufen im Breisgau, Germany, is using an ETC Prodigy P2 rigging system to support a diverse programme of concerts, theatre, dance, film screenings, and festivals. The €20 million FaustForum opened in April following four years of planning and construction. Described by German broadcaster SWR as an “architectural masterpiece,” the venue combines a media library with a multifunctional performance space, creating a cultural hub for the region. With the space regularly reconfigured for different events, flexibility was a key consideration when selecting the venue’s stage technology. FaustForum chose a Prodigy P2-900 system, installed by Scheinwurf GmbH.…
As digital displays become increasingly integrated into physical environments, the conventional flat screen is no longer the only option. Curved walls, columns, arches and other non-linear structures are creating new opportunities for LED technology to become part of the architecture itself. Flexible LED displays are playing an increasingly important role in this transition. By allowing display surfaces to follow curves and unconventional forms, they give designers greater freedom to integrate digital content into retail environments, live productions, exhibitions and architectural spaces. Rather than simply presenting content on a screen, the display can become part of the space — shaping how…
The Thebarton Theatre in Torrensville on the western outskirts of Adelaide is a 2,000 capacity performance venue which is synonymous with live music and touring bands. The ‘Thebby’, as it is known locally, has had a veritable Who’s Who of Australian musicians – and plenty of international artists – grace its stage and delight their fans, and has been in place for approaching 100 years. When plans were drawn up to renew the theatre’s house PA and lighting package during a period of extensive refurbishment of the building, the objective extended beyond a simple equipment upgrade… Read the full story…
Forming part of the Dots Ceylon Hotels network of properties across Sri Lanka, Dots Bay House is an intimate multipurpose resort which includes a restaurant, yoga studio, pool area, overnight rooms, and a nightclub catering for up to 1,000 revellers. First opened in 2015, the venue has evolved from a humble hostel into a lively, creative collective of multi-use spaces spread across its own plot of the beachfront in Hiriketiya Bay. With a working relationship with Mixmag Asia, international DJs regularly perform at the venue, and the ownership realised that the club’s sound system needed to be upgraded to bring…
After nearly two decades of planning and five years of construction, the Montana Heritage Center opened in December 2025 with a focus on engaging visitors with an interactive and educational journey. Utilising dynamic LED displays, synchronised projection, spatial audio, motion sensing, and a smattering of touchpoints, the museum tells Montana’s story from its earliest inhabitants through to the present day, bringing to life the land, cultures, and important milestones of the state. Read the full story in the 36.6 edition of MONDO-DR here: https://issuu.com/mondiale/docs/mondo-dr_36-6/76
Having spent years both behind the DJ booth and designing the sound systems that drive hospitality venues, Global AV Group founder and owner Jason Ojeda has developed a finely tuned ear for what works, and an equally keen sense of what doesn’t. Exposed to the music business from an early age, Ojeda has music in his soul, and his career has never strayed far from creating experiences through great sound. Real the full article in the 36.6 edition of MONDO-DR here: https://issuu.com/mondiale/docs/mondo-dr_36-6/18
Yamaha has announcd announce its new DM5 series of professional digital mixers, alongside a lineup of new utility I/O devices. These have been devised with the concept of forward thinking – helping users to not only build systems for today’s applications, but the expandability for what they will need tomorrow. Designed for small to mid-sized live sound, corporate events, houses of worship, theatre and broadcast applications, the DM5 series is available in two models, DM5 and DM5 Compact, which pack the DM7 series workflow and user experience into an even more compact design. Launched alongside three new R series utility…
Invented in the UK by LED veteran and digiLED Head of Technical, Tom Mudd, digiLED ZEUS is a globally patented energy and carbon-saving system for LED screens and more. It not only powers screens down so they use ZERO power when not in use, but also soft-starts these power-hungry machines at the touch of a button when it’s time to wake them up. A simple tool to solve a complex problem that significantly cuts the money wasted on power consumption and the needless carbon emissions that go with it. The system is now live on more than 360+ installs worldwide,…
Theater de Kampanje in the northern Netherlands city of Den Helder is a vibrant environment running a diverse and interesting programme of dramas, musicals, comedy, music concerts, and touring shows across its three performance venues. Initially located in the city centre, since 2015 Kampanje has been based in the charismatic former Willemsoord naval shipyard in a vast waterside naval hangar that has been completely repurposed for staging contemporary performance, complete with original features and plenty of industrial edge. In a quest to transition to more sustainable LED lighting, the venue has recently invested in Robe LED products, starting with the purchase…
