Welcome EDITOR’S COMMENT


“Don’t worry folks, summer is back. Um, sorry about 2012. Fancy an ice-cream?”


GOOD DAY to you! It’s nice to be writing my annual PSNLive editorial while the sun is shining. About time too. Looking back at last year’s introduction, I remember sitting here, scowling at the rainclouds and cursing their subsequent contribution to an already hurting festival season. Not so this time. We complete our yearly report on the state of the European live sound business with a forecast that says, “Don’t worry folks, summer is back – and, um sorry about 2012. Fancy an ice-cream?” ForPSNLive 2013, our trusted researchers at Zing Insights talked to sound engineers, PA companies and equipment manufacturers to take the temperature of the touring and rental market. And once again, some common themes emerged. Sound engineers, for instance, tell us they are keeping busy but fully anticipate a drop in the number of live sound jobs in the longer term. These are smart people, however, and they know that there is other gainful employment available in the conference and corporate world. Rental companies, meanwhile, paint an upbeat picture. As David Davies’ reports relate, the back end of 2012 kept crews on their toes with crammed schedules. But there was no famine following the feast as such, David found, and the mood continues to be one of onwards and upwards. What of the manufacturers? Concern over spectrum reform has not gone away, and general disapproval over the number of business regulations was a recurring commentary, but, on the brighter side, there is a clear acknowledgement that the need to invest in R&D is paramount. Everyone has to keep moving forward. David’s market reports kick off on p6. Following that, you’ll find four features which I’m very proud of. Mr Davies has delivered a thorough overview of the state of training and education for the live industry (p22). Phil Ward tackles technology on p26, coaxing the experts into talking coaxial speaker design.


Paul Watson looks at ‘on-the-night’ gig album production operations on p32, and discovers there’s more to the market than CD duplicators banging out hundreds of discs every night. Erica Basnicki rounds up the wizardy that is transforming standard gigs into 3D, surround-style, enhanced spectaculars. P38 – oooh! And to top it all, Bob Kelly’s back. After five years away, time for Mr K to talk to us straight about the secondhand market. Enjoy.


Cover image: Two Door Cinema Club, Manchester, 2013 © Louise Stickland, Loosplat.com Ltd


Dave Robinson Twitter: @psneurope


Dave Robinson


Staff Writer Erica Basnicki


CONTRIBUTORS Editor


PSNLIVE 2013 david.robinson@intentmedia.co.uk erica.basnicki@intentmedia.co.uk


Managing Editor Jo Ruddock


jo.ruddock@intentmedia.co.uk


Sales Manager James Robins james.robins@intentmedia.co.uk


Sales Executive Ryan O’Donnell


ryan.odonnell@intentmedia.co.uk


Head of Design & Production Adam Butler


adam.butler@intentmedia.co.uk


Editorial Production Manager Dawn Boultwood


Production Executive Evan Graham


dawn.boultwood@intentmedia.co.uk evan.graham@intentmedia.co.uk


Digital Content Manager Tim Frost


Office Manager Lianne Davey


Steve Connolly tim.frost@intentmedia.co.uk


lianne.davey@intentmedia.co.uk Publisher


steve.connolly@intentmedia.co.uk


Managing Director Stuart Dinsey


Zing Insights (www.zinginsights.com) Writers


stuart.dinsey@intentmedia.co.uk Market Report Research


David Davies (all data analysis), Phil Ward, Paul Watson


Intent Media London 1st Floor, Suncourt House, 18-26 Essex Road, London UK, N1 8LN


Contact: Editorial tel +44 (0)20 7354 6002 Sales tel +44 (0)20 7354 6000


Circulation & subscription enquiries Tel: +44 (0)1858 438786 Intent Media 2012, Sovereign Park, Lathkill Street, Market Harborough, Leics LE16 9EF, UK


© Intent Media 2013 No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means without prior permission of the copyright owners.


Printed by Pensord Press, Wales


04 l PSNLIVE 2013


www.psneurope.com


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44