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From recording, broadcast, postproduction and A/V
Fukuoka Music Fes
When opened in 1993, the 216m diameter of the Fukuoka PayPay Dome (as the Fukuoka Dome) made it the world’s largest indoor stadium and the largest geodesic dome, as well as being the first multi-purpose dome in Japan to incorporate a retractable roof. At a length of 188m, the venue also has the world’s longest bar from which spectators can see the playing field.
When it is not busy with the record books, the 52,000-capacity venue is home to the SoftBank Hawks baseball team, and hosts other key sports events, and stages concerts of the calibre of Whitney Houston, Madonna, The Rolling Stones and Bon Jovi. One of the most recent music events staged at the huge venue was the Fukuoka Music Fes...
Raise rises in Tokyo
The glass-fronted Tokyu Plaza skyscraper in Tokyo’s Ginza in home to a new nightclub and DJ Lounge owned by prolific Japanese venue operator Lounge Operation, whose other Tokyo venues include Sel Octagon, Ce La Vi and Plus. Located on the building’s sixth floor, Raise Tokyo promises to ‘re-define the nightlife experience’.
The design brief for the is evident throughout, with chrome Void Acoustics loudspeakers adding to the futuristic feel of the venue. ‘The installation in Raise is the first time we have specified Void Acoustics for a lounge operation venue, explains Tocci Satoru, Director of Eastaudio inc and Tokyo Sound System Laboratory – the long-term distributor for Void Acoustics in Japan. ‘The GM was keen to see the brand deployed throughout the club, not only because of the audio excellence, but for their design aesthetic.’
Return of The Crocodile
Having opened in 1991 and hosted local and international touring acts including Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Beastie Boys, Billie Eilish, Lizzo, Alabama Shakes, famed Seattle nightclub The Crocodile has reopened in a new spacious multi-venue entertainment complex.
Widely regarded as the birthplace of Grunge, the venue now features a 750-capacity Showroom performance space and bar for major acts, a smaller basement level 300-capacity performance lounge (Madame Lou’s) for emerging acts, and a theatre (Here After).
TAB-Funkenwerk handled the renovation using products from d&b audiotechnik, SSL and Sommer Cable.
Poland clubs Wise up to KV2
Two of the hottest nightspots in Katowice – the iconic P23 club located in a former porcelain factory and it's the recently opened CEL club in the city centre –have seen comprehensive KV2 sound systems installed by leading A/V consultancy and integrator Wise Clubs – the first KV2 systems to go into clubs in Poland.
Designed and installed by Kraków-based Wise Clubs and supplied by Arcade Audio, the installations bring club sounds and reflect the visual aesthetics of the venues. P23 has a post-industrial feel with natural brick walls, steel girders and lofty ceilings, and hosts events ranging from acoustic concerts through to rock music and techno.
London’s Albany installs EM Acoustics sound system
The Albany multidisciplinary arts centre opened as the Albany Institute in 1899 with the aim of improving the lives of local people in Southeast London, becoming the Albany Empire in the 1970s and establishing a reputation for pioneering work in radical community arts. The building was destroyed by fire in 1978, but rebuilt and is now a theatre in the round hosting diverse range of events.
The venue has recently replaced its ageing PA with a new Reference Series system from EM Acoustics, supplied by Stage Electrics.