Non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) are hardly rare in the world of live events, but when The Walt Disney Company is involved, the need for confidentiality invariably reaches ‘a whole new world’ of importance. This was precisely the situation that HQ Worldwide Shows (HQWS) was faced with ahead of the launch of Disney Abu Dhabi. While still onsite at another high-profile event – the teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi Inauguration Ceremony [TPiMEA #54] – HQWS senior leadership was called into a high-level briefing with Miral officials to discuss what would become one of the most significant cultural developments in the history of the…
Author: Peter Iantorno
Significant success in a particular field is often a double-edged sword. On one hand, it’s valuable to be considered a leader and a go-to provider for certain categories of events, but on the other, it’s easy to get pigeonholed as a company that can only deliver projects within its niche. Having built a strong reputation for its delivery on a range of high-profile motorsport events, creative production agency 555 Live Experience was on the lookout for a statement project outside of motorsport, and in the King’s Cup Final 2025, the company found the perfect platform to demonstrate its extensive capabilities.…
There are many reasons why a person might get into live audio – from being a music buff wanting to rub shoulders with the stars up on stage to being a technical mastermind in pursuit of sonic perfection. However, for Eddie Mulrainey, his journey into the industry was all about discovering how live music can affect people in a positive way. “As soon as I got my first taste of working in live music and saw the incredible effect it can have on people, I was desperate to be a part of that world,” he told TPiMEA, recalling his early…
The first time TPiMEA met Amy Morris, the Pop Up Global Managing Director was fresh off the boat, having taken her successful UK-based company and expanded into the UAE. Back then, Morris talked about the importance of being selective and waiting for the right opportunities, and now two years on, her belief in that ethos is stronger than ever. “Saying ‘no’ to requests has been crucial in our development,” she reflected. “It’s resulted in Pop Up Global now being known for working on only the best projects. We’re now getting RFPs for projects that we would never have been considered…
Evolved from a Madrid social club back in 1870, Elrow has developed into a global force on the entertainment and festival scene, with offshoots in Ibiza, London, Las Vegas, Amsterdam and, of course, Dubai. With Elrow XXL Dubai now entering its fourth year, the event has become a firm favourite among Dubai’s party crowd, known for its maximalist aesthetic and celebratory vibe. Someone who has played a key role in bringing Elrow to Dubai is Shiraz ‘Baz’ Baziko, who has been Festival Director for the previous three editions and continues to oversee Elrow’s regional activities through his company, Dubai Dance…
Going into a project in any venue, the starting point is always acquiring an accurate set of drawings to establish the parameters within which the production must fit. However, in some of the more obscure or underutilised venues throughout the GCC, it’s often the case that these drawings either do not exist, are inaccurate, or are lacking in the level of detail required to plan a large-scale production. This is exactly the issue that Previs Production aims to overcome. “From our decades of experience, we know that there’s often a lack of meaningful information about event venues, both in terms…
Since the mid-1990s – a time when Colour Sound Experiment first had touring clients and freelancers working across the US – the rental outfit has been open about a desire to expand internationally. With no outside investors to answer to, the latest milestone in the company’s rapid expansion is Jeddah. The journey from fledgling rental house to major name on the global stage has been marked by pivotal decisions and bold investments. One of the earliest watershed moments came in 1990, with the company’s first move into intelligent lighting. This was followed by the addition of LED screens in 2009.…
In the world of live events, creating memorable experiences hinges on the blend of technical expertise and creative design. Sets Drapes Screens (SDS), the set-building subsidiary of Gearhouse South Africa, aims to be at the forefront of this fusion, delivering tailored set solutions that bring events to life across the continent. SDS began with a late-night conversation between Gearhouse South Africa’s Directors and then-Project Manager, Pieter Joubert, about a gap in the market. While local companies focused on exhibition sets, few addressed the scale and complexity of live events. Their vision: a Gearhouse-affiliated service, led by Joubert, to better serve…
Running from 30 April to 14 June 2025, Jeddah Season’s City Walk brought vibrant open-air entertainment to the city. With seven themed zones spanning 281,000 sq m and featuring over 140 food and retails spots, as well as more than 60 games, rides, immersive experiences and live shows, the attraction provided entertainment for visitors of all ages while promoting the development of local talent in event organisation and management. SLS Production provided extensive technical support across the site, supplying an array of audio, video, lighting and rigging equipment to enhance the guest experience. “The City Walk project is one of…
Across one weekend in June, Red Bull Symphonic took over The Montecasino Teatro, Johannesburg, with a powerful blend of orchestral compositions and contemporary Amapiano energy. Powering this much-anticipated performance was a complete sound system from Stage Audio Works house brand, Plus Audio. “We’ve put Plus Audio through its paces before, but Red Bull Symphonic was the next level,” commented Nathan Ihlenfeldt, Technical Director at Stage Audio Works and FOH Engineer for the event. “Between the orchestral detail and the energy of Amapiano, the system needed to be exceptionally versatile. In short, it exceeded all expectations.” The main PA consisted of…
Taking place annually on 30 April, the International Jazz Day Global Allstar Concert brings together some of the biggest names from the jazz world. For 20205, the event, which usually takes place in a theatre, moved to an area setting for the first time ever, taking place at Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Arena, led by Herbie Hancock and hosted by Jeremy Irons. Lighting and Production Designer, Tyler Littman, who has worked with the IJD production since 2014, was directed by the producers to ‘go big’ with his design, which he did by leaning into Abu Dhabi’s forward-looking, futuristic culture. “We also…
The sixth edition of the Amman International Film Festival – Awal Film (AIFF) took place in July, with a grand opening ceremony at Amman’s Hussein Cultural Center. Attended by the organisation’s President and co-founder, Princess Rym Ali, Jordan’s Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein, as well as a roomful of A-list professionals and a large public audience of film fans, the prestigious event marked the beginning of a nine-day programme dedicated to first-time achievements in filmmaking. Based on the festival’s theme – ‘A World Unscripted’ – which was designed to support the authentic, unfiltered voices of Arab filmmakers, the opening ceremony…
