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.
Network Training with Kyle Freemantle – JHB
A specialised Network Training Course, led by Kyle Freemantle, will take place at DWR Distribution in Johannesburg on 4 and 5 September from 9am to 5pm. In the world of live events, maintaining a stable and reliable network is essential. This requires careful planning of network topology, VLANs, redundancy, and
Basic Rigging Training, Durban
You are invited to join Robert Izzett from DWR Distribution for a two-day Basic Rigging training course held from 3 to 4 September from 9am to 5pm the Vineyard Church in Morningside, Durban. The two day course aims to equip delegates with the rigging laws applied in South Africa according
FENIX training kicks off in Johannesburg with Durban, and Cape Town coming next!
FENIX training kicked off in Johannesburg with delegates gaining great insight from Alex Bryan from FENIX Stage! The theory delved deep into topics like technical advise, loading capacitities, safety practises and maintenance. The fun part really was the practical side just showing how fantastic these lifting towers are and
Anolis Calumma Brings on the Carnival Mood
Two hundred and thirty-two Anolis Calumma M MC RGBCW LED fixtures – with 65-degree lenses and including a custom rear-mounted IP rated junction box modification for easier installation – are now in place on seven out of eight Carnival Cruise Lines (CCL) ships! This started with Carnival Horizon in
ADJ Expands PAR Z Series with Four New LED-Powered, Wireless-Enabled Fixtures
Classic Design Meets Modern Innovation: ADJ Expands PAR Z Series with Four New LED-Powered, Wireless-Enabled Fixtures ADJ’s popular PAR Z Series fuses the timeless look of traditional PAR cans with the advantages of cutting-edge C.O.B. LED technology. Building on the success of the existing lineup, the series now welcomes four
Nina Pušlar Show Impresses Slovenia
Slovenian singer, songwriter, and superstar Nina Pušlar rocked her picturesque hometown of Ivančna Gorica, 40 kilometres out of Ljubljana, for a showstopping homecoming concert at the football stadium, celebrating 20 years of success in the music industry. Her career, like so many, started via a talent competition, and her energising,
AV Unlimited with Robe!
We mean that literally, of course … as Robe’s LEDBeam 350 unlocks some cool creativity for the team at rental company AV Unlimited in Johannesburg, South Africa! The busy rental production and technical specialist has added 12 x Robe LEDBeam 350s to the lighting inventory that join its existing stock
A Dream Come True – the DiGiCo Quantum 852 makes its debut in Africa
When the DiGiCo Quantum 852 first launched at an exclusive event in England in 2023, it caused a stir with its unrivalled capabilities and sheer size! At the time, Kyle Robson and Duncan Riley of DWR Distribution attended the launch and were blown away by DiGiCo’s new flagship console leaping
Mandela Day 2025: A Small Gesture, A Big Dream
For Mandela Day 2025, DWR Distribution chose to support an organisation close to our hearts—the South African Roadies Association (SARA), founded by Freddie Nyathela. Tucked away in Newtown, Johannesburg, SARA is more than a training centre. It’s a safe space, a second home, and a launchpad for young South
Absen ACE Training for the Rental and Staging Market
We are excited to invite the rental and staging market to attend Absen ACE Training, taking place on 19 and 20 August from 9am to 5pm at our offices. We are able to accommodate up to 40 delegates per class. This is for technicians and those in the rental and
Absen ACE Training for the Pro AV market!
We are excited to invite the ProAV market to attend Absen ACE Training, taking place on 26 and 27 Augustfrom 9am to 5pm at our offices. We are able to accommodate up to 40 delegates per class. This course is specifically designed for System Integrators and professionals in the Pro
Joyful Night as Brixton lights up
Brixton, Johannesburg once again lit up for a fabulous community event, bringing together residents, artists, and supporters in a vibrant celebration of community and creativity. The Working Dog’s Fried Wilsenach called on the help of friends from Gearhouse Splitbeam and DWR Distribution to light up the neighbourhood he proudly calls
France’s first touring pair of DiGiCo Quantum 852 join Indochine for massive tour
Formed in Paris during 1981, Indochine have combined single and album sales of 10 million. Their latest tour sold out in hours, with 105 dates across France, Belgium and Switzerland. Over one million people will experience these shows and, in a first for France, powering every performance will be a
Positive Feedback from June’s Clear-Com Training
Nick Chapman from Showcom and Kyle Robson from DWR Distribution presented Clear-Com training in June at the DWR offices in Johannesburg. The two-day session covered everything from basic 2-wire communication systems to the full Clear-Com range, including ICON Beltpacks and hardware components that integrate with Arcadia—resulting in a complete multimedia
Gearhouse Splitbeam expands and updates its followspot inventory with Robert Juliat Arthur LT
Gearhouse Splitbeam of Johannesburg, part of South Africa’s Gearhouse Group, has updated and expanded its followspot inventory with the addition of 3 Robert Juliat Arthur LT 800W LED 4°-10° (Long Throw) followspots, supplied by Robert Juliat’s exclusive distributor for South Africa, DWR Distribution. Founded 15 years ago by Alistair Kilbee,
Aurras Group Invests in grandMA3
Aurras Group is a busy, energetic and innovative technical production – embracing lighting, audio, video and AV, power, staging & rigging and event supply – company based in Cape Town, South Africa. It is owned and headed by Justin Heyman and Gareth Aitken, who merged their respective companies, TechX and
ADJ Focus Flex L7
The Focus Flex L7 offers lighting designers the creative flexibility of generating vibrant washes, punchy beams, and eye-catching pixel effects from one compact and quick automated luminaire. Powered by an array of seven potent 40-Watt 4-in-1 RGBL color mixing LEDs, each of which can be controlled independently, it offers
The RdmNode from Visual Prodctions
RdmNode 4-port eDMX converter The RdmNode is a 4-port eDMX node designed to seamlessly convert Art-Net and sACN into DMX-512 and vice versa. Its compact DIN Rail form factor makes it an excellent choice for system integration and architectural lighting projects. A jack-of-all-trades for DMX data conversion This versatile device
Robe Takes a Walk in The Park
Production lighting for the vibrant and diverse Park Stage at the 2025 Glastonbury Festival was once again supplied by Bristol, UK-based SWG Events. A design by Mat Spencer – also Chief LX for the project – which included nearly 70 Robe moving lights, helped deliver great lighting for a blistering
The new Absen iCon X V2 Series
Exciting News from Absen! The wait is over — the iCon X V2 Series is now officially launched worldwide! The next evolution in professional LED display technology has arrived. Designed for modern meeting rooms and high-end applications, the iCon X V2 Series delivers: • All-in-one integration • Unrivalled visual clarity • Significantly enhanced performance Engineered for excellence, the iCon X V2 sets a new benchmark in LED display innovation. Upgrade your display experience today. Learn more: https://www.absen.com/product/x-v2-series/ #Absen #Absenled #AbseniConXV2 #LEDDisplay #DisplaySolutions #VisualExperience #ProductLaunch #dwrdistribution #itsallaboutthepeople Save As PDF
FENIX training in Johannesburg, Durban, and Cape Town!
DWR Distribution is excited to welcome the wonderful Alex Bryan from FENIX Stage to South Africa! Alex will be hosting hands-on training sessions covering everything from product introductions to loading capacities, safety, maintenance, and more. The training takes place in Johannesburg on 14 August, in Durban on 19 August and ends
Visit the Clear-Com Roadshow in Cape Town & Johannesburg!
DWR Distribution invites you to the Clear-Com Roadshow with Clear-Com’s John Sparrow and Samer Mouwanes and DWR’s Kyle Robson, where the latest communication solutions will be showcased. From advanced beltpacks and headsets to reliable cabling and connectivity, explore the tools that bring clarity, control, and confidence to every production. Join
SpiNode 4-port SPI converter from Visual Productions
The SpiNode is a 4-port SPI controller engineered to effortlessly translate Art-Net and sACN into SPI, bridging the gap between lighting control and pixel-mapped installations. Designed for versatility, the SpiNode supports all major SPI chip protocols ensuring compatibility with virtually any LED fixture or custom rig. Additionally, its compact DIN
KLANG provides Immersive Clarity for Ballimaaraan
Ballimaaraan is a band whose performance style is a genre in itself, and musical storytelling is key. Led by creative powerhouse Piyush Mishra, their style moves fluidly between spoken word, rock, folk and theatrical performances. For Piyush Joshi, KLANG has transformed his approach, becoming essential for every artist he works
Robe LedPOINTE Hits it Off in the UK
Robe’s new LedPOINTE moving light is blazing a trail of interest across the UK market with rental and production companies investing in, and lighting designers and show operators loving this bright, versatile contemporary and – obviously – more sustainable version of Robe’s legendary original Pointe! (Above): Courtesy Firebird Events
Lightpower Group builds new headquarters
The family-run Lightpower Group unites national and international sales companies in the field of professional stage lighting. And they have been doing so for more than 45 years. In addition to Lightpower GmbH, which distributes an exclusive brand portfolio in Germany and Austria, the company MA Lighting International operates worldwide
CT Middle East makes Another Large Robe Investment
Creative Technology Middle East (CTME) has made a huge investment in new lighting equipment. This follows another substantial Robe purchase earlier in 2024. The Robe numbers on this one are 60 x iFORTES, 60 x iFORTE LTXs, 8 x IFORTE LTX FS Cameras, 80 x iTetra2 battens, 100 x LEDBeam
L-Acoustics L2D Arrays Solve 40-Metre Coverage Challenge at Spain’s Baluarte Congress Palace
Teatro Baluarte’s 1,600-seat main auditorium presented a classic audio challenge: achieving consistent coverage across 40 metres of depth without delay systems, while accommodating programming that ranges from classical orchestras to contemporary rock concerts. The venue’s reverberant acoustics and requirement for clean stage presentation – essential for flamenco and classical performances
Acoustics L Series Solves Multi-Stage Live Audio Challenge at changeNOW Event
changeNOW, Europe’s most impactful sustainability summit, presents an audio engineer’s ultimate challenge: twenty simultaneous performance zones operating across Paris’s iconic—and iconically reverberant—Grand Palais. The three-day event hosts 40,000 attendees from 140 countries in a unique format that combines international conferences with live artistic performances. Six main stages plus fourteen additional
Robe Brings on the Sunshine for Carnival Cruises
A new Robe moving light rig has been installed in the 800-capacity ‘Liquid Lounge’ main theatre space aboard the Carnival Sunshine cruise ship, which stages a host of large-scale production shows, themed performances, and other entertainment events. This was undertaken during an extensive refurbishment of the vessel whilst in dry
Have a look at the new KioscTouch2 by Visual Productions
8″ Wall-mount Touch Screen KioscTouch2 is a wall-mount touch screen providing an intuitive front-end for lighting control systems, with extensive personalisation options. Seamless Control KioscTouch2 offers a vibrant 8” touch screen with high-resolution visuals and a smooth, responsive interface. Kiosc Touch features: – Landscape and portrait mode – Multiple control
Gearhouse Splitbeam Keeps All Options Open with Robe
Johannesburg-based theatrical lighting rental specialist Splitbeam – part of the Gearhouse South Africa Group – has invested in new Robe ESPRITE Fresnels and Tetra2 moving lights to help service its busy, vibrant, and varied client base. The 48 x ESPRITES were purchased with the HCF (High Colour Fidelity) LED engines
Creative Kilowatt brings Pro Absen LED Screen, MPT Towers and Chainmaster to Bloem
(Above): DWR Distribution’s Dylan Jones with Creative Kilowatt’s Stefan van Biljon and JP Schroeder. Bloemfontein-based technical supplier Creative Kilowatt stepped up the city’s event tech game with the purchase of 120 Absen NT3.9 outdoor LED panels — the first of their kind in the region — along with four
ROA Hits a High Note with New Robe Fixtures
Grupo ROA is a busy and creative event production supplier and equipment rental company based in Zinacantepec just west of the city of Toluca in Mexico State, Mexico. The company is run by the charismatic, proactive entrepreneur and music enthusiast Rodolfo Oropeza, who runs several related companies and businesses located
Murangi Productions upgrade with grandMA3 and ADJ
This year marks several exciting milestones for Johannesburg-based technical supplier, Murangi Productions. The company is celebrating its 21st anniversary, founder Hendrick Nemalili is turning 50, and to top it off, they’ve just made a major investment in new gear—including a grandMA3 light and 12 ADJ Jolt Panels, all supplied by
RCF Hybrid Online Training, Cape Town
Cape Town technicians looking to enhance their audio skills are invited to join RCF Training held at DWR Distribution, Cape Town. The training, presented by Jaco Beukes and Kyle Freemantle, will be streamed live from Johannesburg, with on-site support provided by trainer Juan Jansen van Vuuren. The course runs on
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