A DIFFERENT KIND OF SUMMER…

Issue #276

July / August 2023

Editor Stew Hume

Tel: +44 (0)161 476 8360

Mobile: +44 (0)7702 054344 e-mail: s.hume@mondiale.co.uk

Assistant Editor

Jacob Waite

Tel: +44 (0)161 476 8360

Mobile: +44 (0)7592 679612 e-mail: j.waite@mondiale.co.uk

Commercial Director Fran Begaj

Tel: +44 (0)161 476 8360

Mobile: +44 (0)7852 336728 e-mail: f.begaj@mondiale.co.uk

Account Manager Matilda Matthews

Tel: +44 (0)161 476 8360

It seems weird that we’re into July and I still haven’t been to a festival. However, I don’t want you thinking this means that TPi is taking a relaxed summer… not by a long shot. In the past month, Jacob and I have covered four stadium shows, multiple arena tours and the largest international music event on the planet, not to mention Fran and Phil’s transatlantic tradeshow trips.

Summer 2023 feels like a year unlike any other for the live events sector, with a packed festival season coinciding with more stadium tours than we know what to do with. We appreciate it’s been an incredibly busy time for everyone working on these events, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the crews who have taken the time to speak to us in the midst of the summer mayhem. This month, we’re pleased to deliver our f ull technical profile of t he Eurovision Song Contest 2023 [p22]. A bucket-list gig for Jacob and taking place in his own backyard in Liverpool, he visited the site on multiple occasions to speak to the many technicians and creatives involved to discover what it takes to make this spectacle a reality.

Meanwhile, I paid a visit to Berlin to catch Helene Fischer’s tour, which saw the German singer collaborate with Cirque du Soleil in a production that had more tricks up its sleeve than a Las Vegas magician [P62].

Next on t he agenda was a quick flight back to t he UK just in t ime to c atch Coldplay’s Mu sic Of The Spheres Tour. With the band’s ambitious goal to push the boundaries when it comes to touring sustainably, it was fascinating to see how this core mission manifested itself throughout all the departments within the production and what wider lessons that the campaign could pass on to the industry [p44].

Also in this edition, I explore the topic of drones. With the technology becoming increasingly embraced by the wider outdoor event industry over the past year, TPi gathered several experts in t he field to learn more about t he burgeoning field w ithin t he events space [p92].

Finally, I would like to turn your attention to two articles that I’m particularly proud to run in this issue. First is our interview with singer-songwriter Katie Melua and her longtime FOH Engineer, Bryony October, who discussed the realities of bringing their children on the road and explored the wider topic of being a mother while also having a career in touring. Also, during a chance meeting at Prolight + Sound at the Women in Lighting Booth, I got to speak to Raquel Rosildete – the creator of The Colours In-between project, which focusses on how to better light t hose on stage w ith different skin tones [ p110].

Until next time,

Stew Hume Editor

Mobile: +44 (0)7413 555978 e-mail: m.matthews@mondiale.co.uk

Account Manager Phil Tucker

Tel: +44 (0)161 476 8360

Mobile: +44 (0)7522 130473 e-mail: p.tucker@mondiale.co.uk

Digital Content Manager

James Robertson

Tel: +44 (0)161 476 8360

Mobile: +44 (0)7725 475819 e-mail: j.robertson@mondiale.co.uk

Marketing and Events Manager

Alice Clarke

Tel: +44 (0)161 476 8360

Mobile: +44 (0)7752 392465 e-mail: a.clarke@mondiale.co.uk

Editorial Director Peter Iantorno

Tel: +44 (0)161 476 8360

Mobile: +44 (0)7763 233637 e-mail: p.iantorno@mondiale.co.uk

Chief Executive Justin Gawne

Tel: +44 (0)161 476 8360 Mobile: +44 (0)7768 850767 e-mail: j.gawne@mondiale.co.uk

Accounts

Lynette Levi / Sarah Miller: ar@mondiale.co.uk

Mondiale Group Chairman Damian Walsh

Graphic Design & Production Dan Seaton: d.seaton@mondiale.co.uk Mel Capper: m.capper@mondiale.co.uk

Cover Photo Eurovision Song Contest

Photo: Eurovision Production

Printed By Buxton Press • www.buxpress.co.uk

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TOTAL PRODUCTION INTERNATIONAL is a controlled circulation magazine, published 12 times a year by Mondiale Media Limited under licence. ISSN 1461-3786 Copyright © 2023 Mondiale Media Limited. All contents of this publication are subject to worldwide copyright protection and reproduction in whole or part, in any form whatsoever, is expressly forbidden without the prior written consent of the Publishers. Every effort is taken to ensure

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