Stay up to date with the latest happenings in the live events and technical production industry. From product launches and training sessions to behind-the-scenes stories and project highlights, our news section is where you’ll find it all.
Get the scoop on what’s new at DWR, follow our journey with industry partners, and discover the people and moments that make our community so unique. Whether you’re looking for inspiration, information, or innovation — this is the place to be.
Robe Rocks For People
The Rock For People music festival celebrated its 30th anniversary in style with an impressive 5-day event, an all-star lineup and an expanded capacity of 50,000 which saw a fully sold-out audience flock to the Park 360 site in Hradec Králové, Czech Republic – a former military airfield dating back
Astera Certified Mastery Class, Cape Town
Join Johnny Scholtz for the Astera Certified Mastery Class on 5 August, from 9 AM to 5 PM at DWR Distribution, Cape Town. This intensive 8-hour training session will equip you with the skills to maximize Astera’s features in the full range. The Certified Mastery Class includes product, AsteraApp,
RCF Training, JHB
Enhance your audio skills with RCF Training, presented by Jaco Beukes and Kyle Freemantle at DWR Distribution, Johannesburg. The course takes place on 30 and 31 July from 9am to 5pm—starting with theory on day one and offering hands-on insight and training on day two. Designed for sound specialists, technicians,
DWR Distribution Appointed as Official Epson Distributor in South Africa
DWR Distribution is delighted to announce its appointment as the official Epson distributor for South Africa. The agreement was finalised in June, following a visit to DWR’s offices by Epson’s Lee Harrison and Darren Caithness. To further strengthen the support DWR provides to both the system integration market and the
Cape Town lights up with Joseph’s Technicolor Dreamcoat!
South African Lighting Designer Oliver Hauser first saw Joseph in 2017, and he recalls leaving the theatre humming its melodies long after the final curtain. The spirited score and choreography, intertwined with themes of hope and forgiveness, struck a chord. Eight years later, he had the opportunity to light the
Robe Adds Some Magic to Circlassica Show
The popular Circlassica show returned to Madrid for the 2024-2025 season staged in the iconic IFEMA Madrid big white tent, with a new edition, Circlassica, la historia mundial continúa (Circlassica, the world story continues),produced by Productores de Sonrisas and lit by Juanjo Llorens who once again sprinkled some of his illuminative magic
L-Acoustics Drive Training, JHB
Master the configuration, control, and monitoring of an L-Acoustics system from the source output to the loudspeaker inputs at the L-Acoustics Drive Training presented by Richard Smith on 17 July from 9am to 5pm at DWR Distribution. Delegates wanting to participate are required to have L-Acoustics certification: System & Workflow or System
L-Acoustics Soundvision Training, JHB
You are invited to join Richard Smith from DWR Distribution for L-Acoustics Soundvision Training. Delegates will discover the most advanced L-Acoustics software functionalities for 3D venue modelling, system simulation, and line source optimization. The course will be held on 16 July from 9am to 5pm at our offices in Johannesburg.
A Thousand and One: Luminex lights up the festival season
Riyadh, June 12, 2025 – With summer just around the corner, it’s time for Luminex to shine. A few weeks ago, we proudly kicked off the festival season at the inaugural edition of ‘A Thousand and One’, Riyadh’s newest large-scale music festival in Saudi Arabia. Across five distinct stages, Qafilah, Sahaab, Bizar Bazar,
RoboSpot Training, Johannesburg
DWR Distribution takes pleasure in inviting you to a RoboSpot FollowSpot System training session presented by Jaques Pretorius on 9 July from 9 am to 5 pm in Johannesburg. Jaques will instruct you how to set up the RoboSpot system, pair it with the latest in lighting LED technology
South African freelancer Tiaan Gilomee invests in first grandMA3 console
(Pictured above): Tiaan Gillomee of PRDGY Group with DWR’S Duncan Riley and Callan van Zyl. Johannesburg, South Africa – Tiaan Gillomee, a dedicated South African freelancer lighting designer of PRDGY Group, has proudly taken delivery of his first-ever lighting console – a grandMA3 from DWR Distribution – marking a
ETC upgrade at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre in Durban
The Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre at the University of KwaZulu-Natal has upgraded its ageing Tungsten Fresnels to ETC Source Four LED engines and has invested in Fresnel Adapters to provide soft beam lighting suitable for any stage configuration. The new fixtures were used for the first time in the production of
Almaty Theatre enjoys Kazakhstan’s first DiGiCo Quantum 338 T
Almaty Theatre is a gem in Kazakhstan. Well-known for excellence in performance, the venue has undergone many technological enhancements over the last few years, including the recent purchase of a brand-new DiGiCo Quantum 338 T, installed by Samat show technic LLP. The theatre’s nightly performances are not limited to a
Anolis at Pasino Grand Partouche, France
The French municipality of La Tour-de-Salvagny has a brand new Anolis lighting installation on the unique, eye-catching roundabout in front of the Pasino Grand Partouche entertainment complex. Formerly known as Casino Lyon Vert, Pasino Grand is a flagship establishment of the Partouche Group. As part of its overall energy optimisation
SHU Amsterdam Creates a Premium Nightlife Experience in an Urban Setting with Refined L-Acoustics Sound Design
Audio Solvation delivers versatile X Series system to balance high energy atmosphere with residential neighbourhood sound management AMSTERDAM, Netherlands – June 2025 – A new addition to Amsterdam’s vibrant nightlife, SHU has quickly established itself as the city’s premier destination for sophisticated evening entertainment. The exclusive, guest-list-only venue transitions nightly
Robe Taps into Lady Gaga Mayhem at Coachella
Lady Gaga is an artist who excels at delivering unique, ambitious visual live extravaganzas that engage the eyes, brain and heart in an intricate mix of drama, high-impact dance moves and energising music, and this year’s acclaimed Coachella headliner slot took this art to new levels. Her two-hour performance complete
MilanAVB takes gold!
As a longstanding contributing member of the AVNU Alliance for MilanAVB, a standards-based network protocol for ProAV, and provider of MilanAVB-compatible and certified GigaCore switches, @Luminex was proud to see Milan recognized once again with a Best of Show Award at InfoComm Show. Congratulations to all members of this hardworking
Artscape Theatre invests in the future with Robert Juliat LED followspots from DWR Distribution
(Above: Personnel photo Left to right): Shayna Gleave (Production manager), Roy Hoffman (Artscape Lighting Technician), Sidney Savage (Artscape Lighting Technician), Johnny Scholtz (DWR), Patrick Manicom (DWR), Monique Bowes (Artscape Stage Manager), Faheem Bardien (Artscape Head of Lighting), Liam Cooksen (Artscape Head of Sound). Cape Town, South Africa’s long-established, premiere theatre
Robe SVOPATTS for Amadeus Awards Event
Vienna’s Marx Halle bristled with excitement for the 2025 Amadeus Austrian Music Awards, a BIG and super glamorous night out for the Austrian music industry, staged by IFPI Austria, to recognise outstanding achievements by Austrian artists and musicians. No less standing out than the occasion itself was an eye-catching production
La Villette Transforms Historic Space into Immersive Audio Experience for Diverse Performances with L-Acoustics L-ISA Hyperreal Immersive Sound
Meeting the growing demand for spatial audio live events, Paris cultural landmark upgrades with eco-conscious L Series line source arrays and L-ISA technology by B Live PARIS, France – May 2025 – In the northeast corner of Paris, the sprawling 55-hectare Parc de la Villette has evolved into one of
Hippotizer MX Series packs a punch for WrestleMania
Paradise, NV, USA – Green Hippo’s new Hippotizer MX Series Media Servers were out in force for this year’s WWE WrestleMania spectacular, pumping out 4K live action and pre-made content across a wealth of LED screens and strips. Eight Hippotizer Kasai MX Media Servers – which are distributed
Pure Event Gear invests in Prolyte Verto and ChainMaster motors
Pierre Griffioen from Pure Event Gear has been in the technical rental business for over three decades. While he’s worked across sound, lighting, audio, and LED display panels, it’s rigging, trussing, and motors that have always made his heart beat a little faster. With this passion in mind, Pierre has
ROXX Open Day – Hope to see you there!
DWR Distribution is delighted to welcome Thorsten Sattler from ROXX to South Africa! You are invited to meet him and view the ROXX range at DWR Distribution on Wednesday, 25 June, any time between 10 am to 4pm. Experience firsthand the exceptional quality and craftsmanship of the ROXX
Astera for Porsche Macan Electric Reveal
Sean Shay, creative director at Sound Image, a Clair Global Brand, reached for Astera Hyperion and Titan Tubes to help imagine a spectacular and dramatic piece of light art highlighting a ‘hero car’ for the launch of the Porsche Macan Electric car presented by Porsche San Francisco at their showroom
We Will Rock You Denmark pushes DiGiCo hardware to the max with unique mix programming technique
The We Will Rock You musical is a massive worldwide success and, since opening in London in 2002, numerous versions have been staged in every corner of the globe. For the most recent version in Denmark, sound designer and Head of Sound, Magnus Hansen, has made full use the
ADJ’s Vizi Beam CMY Creates Dazzling Aerial Effects for NachtCollege in Tilburg
48 of ADJ’s new Vizi Beam CMY automated luminaires were used to fill the Poppodium 013 concert venue in Tilburg, the Netherlands, with a myriad of intense beams for a recent dance event hosted by promoter NachtCollege. The extensive feature set offered by these dedicated beam fixtures – including CMY
grandMA3 User Training, Durban
Durban, Save the Date! Join us for a three-day grandMA3 User Training Workshop hosted by DWR Distribution’s Jaques Pretorius and Michael Taylor-Broderick, running from 18 to 20 June, daily from 9 am to 5 pm. The workshop will take place at the Vineyard Church in Morningside, Durban — a big thank you to
Muziekgieterij Enjoys the Robe Vibes
Muziekgieterij is a lively music hub in the southern Netherlands city of Maastricht with two live performance spaces that showcase a vibrant and varied artist lineup featuring all genres of music. Other music-related facilities at the site include a studio and rehearsal rooms. The 1100-capacity large hall and 420-person small
Innibos 2024: Unforgettable Lighting and Sound Experience
The Innibos National Arts Festival always has a special charm, and the 2024 edition was no exception. Held from June 27 to 30 in the Lowveld (Mbombela), it featured vibrant markets with homemade goods, stunning art, captivating books, engaging drama, and incredible music. MGG was once again chosen by
Anolis for Prestige City of Dijon Lighting Installation
Over 200 Anolis Calumma S and XS and Eminere Remote 1, 2, 3 and 4 LED lighting fixtures were specified for an eye-catching new architectural lighting installation at the Palais des Ducs et des Etats de Bourgogne (Town Hall) in Dijon, France. The project was titled “Les reflets de l’Or”
Astera launches QuikPunch Luminaire
May 27, 2025, Munich, Germany – Wireless LED lighting manufacturer Astera launches QuikPunch, the latest in its innovative ‘Quik’ series, which started with the QuikSpot launched at the end of 2024. QuikPunch delivers precise, high-quality light via its fresnel lens, featuring a 13º – 60º zoom, with no stray
Robe Rocks at the Eurovision Song Contest 2025
Robe was thrilled to be an official technical partner of Eurovision 2025 in Basel, Switzerland, where lighting designer Tim Routledge and his team, together with London UK-based lighting supplier Neg Earth Lights, helped deliver a truly outstanding production for the world’s largest live music broadcast event, staged this year at
KLANG’s immersive solutions revolutionise monitor mixes for The Magic of Motown performers
Job Lewis (@jlsoundreinforcement) and Titomi Akinoka-Adesina The Magic of Motown celebrated its 20th anniversary at London’s iconic Palladium in March 2025. The show is a feel-good musical extravaganza that is full to the brim with Motown classics. FOH engineer Job Lewis handles monitors and supplies all audio gear through his
Green Hippo Ships HYCO MX & MEUSE MX Hippotizer Media Servers
Cincinnati, OH – Green Hippo, an industry leader in media manipulation and 3D mapping, is thrilled to announce the shipment of its new, award-winning 4U Hippotizer MX Series Media Servers, HYCO MX and MEUSE MX. Made for demanding live event production, Hippotizer HYCO & MEUSE provide unrivalled playback and generative performance.
Vectorworks Training in Johannesburg
Join Jade Manicom for a training session focused on Vectorworks Spotlight 2025 from 17 to 20 June, 9 am to 5 pm at DWR Distribution in Johannesburg. Whether you’re new to Vectorworks or an intermediate user, this small-group course (limited to just 12 participants) offers personalised guidance to help you
TUT equips students for industry with a grandMA3 upgrade and training
(Pictured above): Tessa Mvelase, a TUT student with Jaques Pretorius from DWR. DWR Distribution’s Jaques Pretorius recently spent two exciting days with third-year lighting students from the Department of Performing Arts at Tshwane University of Technology (TUT), offering hands-on training on the grandMA3 lighting control platform. Over the past
DWR sponsors new console for TX Theatre following theft
(Pictured above): The TX Theatre team takes delivery of their new console at DWR. Pictured: Motlotlo Makhobotloane (DWR), Kamogelo Raphadu, Tramain Nkoane, Duncan Riley (DWR), Skhongo Lehlogonolo, and Mxolisi Masilela. When Dr Ismail Mahomed — renowned writer, director, and former Artistic Director of the National Arts Festival — reached
DiGiCo Masterclass Cape Town!
An overview of DiGiCo Consoles with KLANG and Fourier Audio Integration Cape Town, don’t miss out! DWR Distribution is delighted to welcome Tristan Mazire to South Africa for a comprehensive DiGiCo Masterclass, taking place on 17 June from 9 AM to 5 PM at our office in Cape Town. With two decades of
L-Acoustics Breaking the Stereo Barrier
(Pictured above): Max Cooper, shown here at Polygon Live London, performed at the L-Acoustics Keynote 2025 using L-Acoustics DJ, the first complete solution to transform stereo into a true spatial audio experience. Photo credit: Maria Zhytnikova L-Acoustics DJ Breaks the Stereo Barrier: First Complete Solution to Transform Stereo into
Technicians get practical at DWR’s Robe Fixture Maintenance Training
It was all hands on deck at DWR Distribution’s Johannesburg office, where Tyler Pugin recently presented Robe Fixture Maintenance Training – delegates came as far as Bloemfontein and Namibia. The course attracted such interest that a second day will be hosted at the end of May for students from the
Robe Fixture Maintenance Training, Cape Town
Cape Town technicians and anyone interested in servicing and troubleshooting lighting fixtures are invited to attend hands-on Robe Fixture Maintenance Training with Tyler Pugin taking place on 11 June from 9am to 5pm at DWR Distribution, Cape Town. This workshop will cover everything you need to know about caring for
Fundamentals of Lighting – Training in Johannesburg
Whether you’re involved in lighting for church, theatre, or corporate events, this workshop is for you! Join Michael Taylor-Broderick on the 11 and 12 June, from 9 AM to 5 PM, for a hands-on Fundamentals of Lighting training session at DWR Distribution in Johannesburg. This interactive workshop is a great
The Visual Productions SpiNode
Coming Soon to DWR Distribution: The Visual Productions SpiNode At DWR Distribution, we’re passionate about bringing the latest technology to our industry — and we’re thrilled to announce that the Visual Productions SpiNode will soon be available through our doors! The SpiNode is a high-performance eDMX node purpose-built for LED
Robe Moves & Grooves with Blackmotion
Blackmotion – as the name suggests – does not stand still for very long! Founded and headed by the charismatic Kagiso Moima Wa Masimini – KG – to those who find the pronunciation a little complex – this is a busy, innovative, and well-respected technical production and rental company based
Lighting Designer Simon King incorporates Robe T1s and T11s for Joburg Ballet
When lighting designer Simon King took on DreamScapes, the latest production by Joburg Ballet, he was presented with the opportunity to integrate Robe T1 Profiles and T11 fixtures into his creative vision — with stunning results. Staged at the Roodepoort Theatre, DreamScapes marks Joburg Ballet’s first production of the
Clear-Com Training with Nick Chapman and Kyle Robson
Join Nick Chapman from Gearhouse Showcom and Kyle Robson from DWR Distribution for Clear-Com training on 3 and 4 June, from 9 am to 5 pm. The course will be held at DWR Distribution, Johannesburg. This comprehensive session will cover everything from basic 2-wire communication systems to the full Clear-Com
DiGiCo Masterclass in South Africa
Overview of DiGiCo Consoles with KLANG and Fourier Audio Integration DWR Distribution is deligthed to welcome Tristan Mazire to South Africa for a comprehensive DiGiCo Masterclass, taking place on 10 June from 9 AM to 5 PM at our Johannesburg offices. With two decades of experience in Live Sound, Post Production, and Recording, Tristan will
DWR welcomes Kyle Freemantle as Solution Architect
DWR Distribution is thrilled to announce the addition of Kyle Freemantle, a highly respected Senior Audio Engineer and Systems Engineer, to the sales team in the role of Solution Architect. In this position, Kyle will lead the design of technical solutions, deliver presentations and live demonstrations to clients, address technical
Robe Fixture Maintenance Training, Durban
We’re excited to invite all Durban-based lighting professionals and enthusiasts to a Robe Fixture Maintenance Training session, presented by Tyler Pugin from DWR Distribution on 28 May from 9 am to 5 pm. The course will be held at the Vineyard Church in Morningside, Durban. This full-day session will cover everything you need to
grandMA3 User Training, Cape Town
A three-day grandMA3 User Training workshop, presented by Jaques Pretorius, will be held at DWR Distribution, Cape Town, from 28 to 30 May from 9 am to 5 pm daily. This training course aims to familiarize the operator with the basic functions of the grandMA3 software and lighting consoles and
DWR KZN share the love on Freedom Day
This Freedom Day, 27 April 2025, the DWR Distribution KZN Team was involved in a development football tournament at Forest Hills Sports Club. Nick Barnes team assisted with a small PA setup for general announcements and background music, organization of transport for 40 kids from the local development soccer team