Contract, Author at Neg Earth Lights

October 15, 2026

Take That: Back Under The Big Top

An Iconic British Pop Legacy

Take That are an iconic British pop group, renowned for their cinematic performances and instantly recognisable songs. Formed in Manchester in 1990, the group have achieved 28 Top 40 singles, 20 Top 10 singles, and 17 Top 5 singles on the UK charts, including 12 number-one singles, cementing their position as one of Britain’s most successful boy bands.

The Circus Returns

In 2009, we had the pleasure of lighting their seventh concert tour, The Circus, which sold all 650,000 tickets in less than five hours. This year, we were delighted to once again supply the lighting package for The Circus Live – a bigger and more ambitious production, designed to revive the magic of the original while exceeding expectations.

A Fully Immersive Spectacle

Blending live music, theatrical performance, and circus artistry, the production was designed as a fully immersive visual experience. Staying true to the spirit of the circus, the tour also featured a giant elephant puppet, twice the size of an African elephant, which sprayed water over the audience, alongside 500 balloons released during every show.

Reimagining the Original

To showcase the capabilities of our equipment while preserving the essence of the original production, Lighting Designers Tim Routledge and Patrick Woodroffe studied footage from the 2009 tour. Their aim was to retain the spirit and visual identity of the original show while modernising the rig and evolving the colour palette to create a fresh, contemporary experience. The 2009 rig delivered an extensive package including Coemar Infinity Wash XLs, Martin MAC 250 Washes, Martin MAC 700 Profiles, Clay Paky Alpha Beam 1500s and 300s, Martin Atomic 3000 Strobes, Zap Technology Big Lite, Super Trouper Gladiator III and I-Pix Satellite. Together, the design and equipment helped honour the legacy of the 2009 tour while delivering a refreshed look for today’s audiences.

A New Generation of Lighting Technology

Between 2009 and 2026, the lighting rig changed dramatically, with the 2026 setup featuring an entirely new fixture package of fixtures including ROBE GigaPointe, ROXX NEO, ROBE iFORTE LTX, GLP JDC Burst 1, ACME Lighting Blinder Line 10, Ayrton Domino LT, EagleStrike, Mamba and Nando 502 Wash, ROBE iFORTE HP and LTX, ROXX Cluster Blinder B4 FC, Cluster S2 and NEO, and SGM P-3 Vision solutions. Rather than simply recreating the original rig, the team took advantage of the latest lighting technologies to evolve the design, delivering the same iconic aesthetic while enhancing its scale and visual impact.

Lighting on a Grand Scale

Together, the equipment gave Tim & Patrick the flexibility to create a dynamic lighting environment that could match the scale and theatricality of the production. A key part of the project was the close collaboration between the production team and our team. By understanding the history of Take That’s productions and the way the touring camp operates, we were able to provide the support and expertise required throughout the tour.

The Perfect Collaborator

As Lighting Designer Tim Routledge explains:

“Neg Earth go the extra mile when it comes to the integration of metalwork and scenic integration. They understand and support the Take That history and how the camp operates, which makes them the perfect collaborator.”

October 14, 2026

Contract

Internal Staff Events People

World Mental Health Day at Neg Earth Lights

The Link Between Nutrition and Wellbeing

The 10th of October marked World Mental Health Day, a global initiative dedicated to raising awareness of mental health and encouraging support for those who may be struggling. To mark the occasion, we welcomed nutritional therapist Nicola Moore to Neg Earth to deliver an engaging workshop exploring the connection between nutrition and wellbeing. What we eat can have a significant impact on our physical health and overall mental wellbeing, making nutrition an important part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

With a large proportion of our workforce based in the warehouse and carrying out physically demanding roles, we felt it was important to provide practical guidance on how to properly fuel both body and mind. Nicola shared valuable insights on topics including overcoming the mid-afternoon slump and making sustainable dietary choices that support long-term wellbeing. Staff also had the opportunity to speak with Nicola one-to-one, receiving personalised advice tailored to their individual needs.

Interested in learning more about Nicola’s services or booking a workshop for your organisation? You can find out more and get in touch via her website here: https://www.nicola-moore.com/about

Putting It into Practice

To complement the workshop, we also invited Pink Cactus to Neg Earth to serve authentic Mexican cuisine. Staff were able to choose from a selection of tacos and burritos, bringing everyone together to enjoy a hearty lunch while putting some of Nicola’s advice on balanced meals into practice. It was a great opportunity to continue the conversation around wellbeing in a relaxed and social setting.

Supporting Mental Health All Year Round

At Neg Earth, supporting mental health isn’t limited to a single day of awareness. The health and wellbeing of our people is embedded into the foundations of our business, and we are committed to fostering a culture where everyone feels supported.

Earlier this year, we also marked Mental Health Awareness Week with a range of activities designed to support holistic wellbeing and encourage colleagues to take time for themselves. These included: an onsite Pilates class, massages, and a mindful calligraphy workshop. By investing in initiatives that support both mind and body throughout the year.

Our Wider Wellbeing Initiatives

Putting our people at the centre of everything we do is fundamental to our culture. We support our employees through a range of ongoing initiatives, including trained Mental Health First Aiders who are available to provide guidance and support, a partnership with Music Support to help those working within the music industry, and facilities such as an on-site gym and complimentary breakfast bar to encourage healthy daily habits. Throughout the year, we also take part in activities that strengthen connections across the business, from our monthly ‘Tea and Talk’ sessions, where colleagues can come together for open and meaningful conversations over tea and cake, to a variety of events that celebrate and give back to the wider community, including International Women’s Day initiatives, company-wide social events and local environmental projects, such as litter-picking. Together, these initiatives reflect our commitment to creating a supportive and people-focused workplace where wellbeing is embedded in the fabric of the business and remains a key consideration in everything we do.

If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health, please visit Music Support at: helpline@musicsupport.org for advice and support.

Interested in seeing what else we got up to during Mental Health Awareness Week? Read our blog: https://negearth.co.uk/taking-action-for-mental-health-awareness-week/

If you’d like to learn more about life at Neg Earth and explore current opportunities, visit our careers page: https://negearth.co.uk/negearthcareers/

September 29, 2026

Contract

Work Culture

Summer BBQ at Neg Earth Lights

Recently, we celebrated our annual Summer BBQ here at Neg Earth Lights. It was an evening of good food, good music and, most importantly, great people. Our Summer BBQ is always a brilliant opportunity to bring everyone together and celebrate the community we’ve built here at Neg Earth.

Summer? More like Autumn.

As is inevitable whenever you plan an outdoor event in the UK, we were greeted by some truly apocalyptic rain. But just as we were beginning to wonder whether our Summer BBQ was going to become a very soggy affair, the skies cleared and the rain stopped just in time. Thankfully, the BBQ could go ahead as planned.

Food, Glorious Food

At Neg Earth, our people are a talented bunch, and that extends to the kitchen. So, who better to take charge of the BBQ than our very own master chefs, Steph and James? They kept everyone well-fed throughout the evening, serving up burgers and hot dogs for everyone to enjoy. And, of course, no BBQ is complete without something to wash it all down with. We stocked up on beers from Signature Brews, a multi-award-winning brand crafting a range of music-inspired beers – the perfect pairing for a Neg Earth event.

A Little Healthy Competition

We love a bit of competition, so naturally, the evening featured plenty of opportunities to get involved and see who could come out on top. First up was a Neg Earth and music-industry-themed quiz, with some suitably competitive teams battling it out for the win. There were also plenty of games on hand, from Twister and egg-and-spoon races to swingball. Needless to say, competitive spirits were high.

Lights, Music… and Everything in Between

As a lighting and rigging company, we couldn’t exactly host a BBQ without putting our own spin on things. With the music flowing and the lights bringing the space to life, the evening really came together. It was a great opportunity to showcase what we do best while creating the perfect atmosphere for everyone to relax and enjoy themselves. A big thank you to everyone who helped make the evening happen, and to everyone who came along and made it such a great night.

If you enjoyed reading about our company culture and are wondering if there’s a place for you here, check out our careers page:

https://negearth.co.uk/negearthcareers/

September 24, 2026

Contract

Live Events

Custom Automation for Dave

As the automation supplier for Dave’s The Boy Who Played the Harp 2026 tour, we designed and fabricated a custom tracking truss system to support eight rotating video screens, each weighing 1,000kg, positioned either side of the stage. From the initial design through to fabrication and testing, there were plenty of steps involved in bringing the system to life.

Let’s go behind the scenes to see how it all came together…

August 25, 2026

Contract

Education People

Chainmaster Training Strengthens Neg Earth’s Motors Team

Investing in Expertise

We recently welcomed Rick Williamson, Head of Sales and Training at LIFTKET UK (Stage), to Neg Earth for two days of comprehensive training with our Motors Department.

Building Knowledge Through Practical Training

The training combined both theory and practical sessions, covering the inspection, maintenance, servicing and testing of CHAINMASTER STAGEKET D8+ ULTRA hoists, CELLMASTER wireless load cells, and the new CHAINMASTER EASYLINK XTRA hoist controllers. The hands-on approach gave our team the opportunity to refresh their existing knowledge, develop their understanding of the latest equipment, and share valuable experience and insight throughout the sessions.

Supporting Excellence Through Development

With Excellence being one of our core values, continued training and development are an important part of ensuring our team remains at the top of their game. Regular product training not only keeps our technical knowledge current but also gives our staff the confidence and expertise to make informed decisions and provide the highest level of support when contributing to productions around the world.

Strengthening Partnerships

A huge thank you to Rick and everyone at LIFTKET for delivering such an informative and engaging two days, and to our Motors team for their enthusiasm and participation throughout. We’re proud to continue building our knowledge and strengthening our partnerships, to ensure our team is equipped to deliver excellence on every show.

August 25, 2026

Contract

Live Events

Lighting Up the Capel Military Show

Bringing Military History to Life

The Capel Military Show is an annual not-for-profit event, held at Aldhurst Farm, Capel, Surrey. Spanning five fields, the three-day event features a diverse range of military exhibitors, including more than 750 vehicles, alongside British, German, Russian, and American re-enactment groups. Together, these displays bring military history to life, tracing the journey from the Second World War through to modern day. The show attracts more than 25,000 visitors and raising over £10,000 for military charities.

Supporting a Worthwhile Cause

We were delighted to provide both our support and sponsorship for the event, supplying the lighting package alongside our professional expertise. Our ongoing commitment to excellence was reflected in both the equipment and support provided. As the director of Capel Military Show, Squadron Leader Andrew Davidson MBE RAF, commented,

“The quality of the equipment and support provided helped transform the arena environment and contributed greatly to the polished professional appearance of the event.”

For Andrew Davidson’s full testimonial, read below:

“Dear Dave, Melissa, Sam and the Neg Earth Team,

On behalf of everyone involved in the Capel Military Show, I would like to extend my sincere thanks for the outstanding support and sponsorship that Neg Earth provided to this year’s event.

The lighting package and professional expertise supplied by your team had an incredible impact on the overall delivery and presentation of the show.  

The quality of the equipment and support provided helped transform the arena environment and contributed greatly to the polished professional appearance of the event.

With over 25,000 visitors attending across the weekend, the enhanced lighting played an important role in showcasing the displays, supporting public engagement and helping us deliver the high-standard experience that our visitors have come to expect. The support from Neg Earth enabled us to achieve an effect that would otherwise have been beyond the reach of a charitable event of our size.

Beyond the equipment itself, I would also like to recognise the professionalism, flexibility and enthusiasm shown by your team throughout the planning and execution phases. It was clear that everyone involved wanted to help make the event a success, and that commitment was noticed and appreciated by both the directors and our exhibitors.

As a not-for-profit event raising funds for military charities and local good causes, we rely heavily on the generosity of organisations such as Neg Earth. Your support has not only enhanced the visitor experience but has also directly contributed to our ability to continue supporting the military community and local charitable causes.

Please pass on my thanks to everyone involved, including the wider crew who helped make the lighting support possible. It was a pleasure working with you all and I very much hope that we can continue our relationship; planning for the 2027 Capel Military Show will commence later this year, and I would be grateful if Neg Earth would consider supporting the event once again. Given the outstanding impact your lighting package had on the show, I believe there is significant scope for us to build on this year’s success and further showcase Neg Earth’s capabilities to our audience of over 25,000 visitors. I would welcome an opportunity to discuss potential options with you in the coming months.

Please pass on my thanks to everyone involved, including the wider crew who helped make the lighting support possible. It was a pleasure working with you all and I very much hope that we can continue our relationship and welcome Neg Earth back to the Capel Military Show in future years.

Thank you once again for your generosity, professionalism, and valued support.

Kind regards,

Sqn Ldr Andrew Davidson MBE RAF
Director
Capel Military Show”

August 20, 2026

Contract

Live Events

Neg Earth Lights the Way for Iron Maiden’s Run For Your Lives Tour

A Landmark Production

The iconic English heavy metal band, Iron Maiden, embarked on their 18-month ‘Run For Your Lives’ world tour in May 2025, and we are proud to have provided the lighting package for this landmark production. Celebrating half a century of heavy metal magic, the tour brings an ambitious production and creative vision to audiences across North and South America, Europe, Australia and Asia. The tour has already demonstrated its global appeal, with more than one million tickets sold across the first 32 shows in Europe alone.

Five Decades of Heavy Metal

Few acts can claim a legacy spanning five decades, and even less have continued to release new music and perform at the very highest level throughout that time. Formed in 1975, Iron Maiden have built a reputation not only for their music, but for the scale and visual identity of their live productions. For the ‘Run For Your Lives’ world tour, the band’s production and creative teams have once again pushed the boundaries to create a show worthy of this historic milestone. It is a privilege for us to contribute to a tour celebrating such a significant milestone in Iron Maiden’s history, and to support one of Britain’s most iconic bands as they take this production to fans around the world.

A Setlist Celebrating Iron Maiden’s Legacy

To mark the occasion, the 18-month tour features a setlist spanning the band’s remarkable career, including songs that haven’t been performed in North America in over 20 years, including: Run to the Hills, 2 Minutes to Midnight, and Seventh Son of a Seventh Son. The popularity of Iron Maiden continues to grow, with Pollstar ranking the band as the 19th most popular touring artist of the millennium. Fifty years after forming, Iron Maiden continue to attract audiences across generations, cementing their position as one of the world’s greatest heavy metal bands.

August 4, 2026

Contract

Careers

John Featherstone – Breaking Into the Industry Advice

July 27, 2026

Contract

Work Culture

National Ice Cream Day: The Scoop We All Needed

The Perfect Pick-Me-Up

It was a little quieter at Neg Earth, as the World Cup had wrapped up after an exciting few months of football ! So, we decided there was only one way to lift morale: celebrate National Ice Cream Day. After all, football can be cruel, but ice cream never is. Consider it the scoop everyone needed.

Keeping It Local

At Neg Earth, supporting our local community is at the core of what we do. That’s why for the past few years, we’ve teamed up with DiSotto’s Gelato, our neighbours just across the road in Park Royal, to treat the team to authentic artisan Italian ice cream. This year was no exception.

Choosing a supplier on our doorstep means more than just incredible ice cream. By working with a local business, we’re supporting our community while reducing transport miles, making it a more sustainable choice. It’s one of the many ways we aim to make a positive impact through the businesses we work with. You could say it’s the cherry on top.

A Flavour For Everyone

DiSotto’s delivered more than 100 tubs of handcrafted gelato to Neg Earth HQ, with a flavour for everyone to enjoy. From Madagascan Vanilla and Strawberries & Cream to Chunky Chocolate Chip and indulgent Salted Caramel, there was a flavour for everyone. Vegan options were also on hand, ensuring everyone could join in on the fun.

Puppy-Approved

And, of course, we couldn’t leave out our four-legged colleagues. DiSotto’s also provides dog-friendly ice cream, so the office pups were able to cool down and enjoy a treat of their own. Judging by those wagging tails, it was pawsitively their favourite part of the day.

July 16, 2026

Contract

Work

Neg Earth at the Backup Tech Village Fete 2026

Supporting a Brilliant Cause

Last week, we attended the annual Backup Tech Village Fete at its new home in Daventry. The event gave us the opportunity to support an incredible cause by raising funds for those in need across the industry, while also catching up and networking with partners and brands from across the industry.

Proud Platinum Partners

Backup Tech provides financial support to technical professionals, crew & production personnel, and people working throughout the technical supply chain in the UK entertainment industry. As proud Platinum Partners of the charity, we were delighted to attend and naturally, we turned up in our finest florals and tweed to represent Neg Earth in style.

Taking on the Challenges

To add a little friendly competition to the day, we took part in a range of activities, including: clay pigeon shooting, archery, and axe throwing. The highest clay shooting score of the day was an impressive 9/10, while our very own Kay Ramnikkumar achieved a respectable 7/10 – perhaps a promotion to Head of Security is on the cards! Although axe throwing looked deceptively easy, it ended up being the toughest challenge, with every member of Team Neg Earth struggling to master it. Fortunately, we found our feet at the archery range, where everyone channelled their inner Katniss Everdeen.

Classic Fete Fun

The fete was packed with traditional games, from throwing a sausage into a hat to giant Jenga and hoop toss. There was always something to get involved in, someone new to meet, or another piece of free swag to collect, making it a fun-filled day from start to finish. And, of course, no village fete on a hot summer’s day would be complete without an ice cream.

Rory Takes the Decks

There was also a DJ competition, so we had to enter our very own resident DJ, Rory Warner. Rory delivered a funky set that showcased everything from drum and bass to garage music to house music, earning an impressive second place. If you ask us though, the judging may have been slightly rigged – no pun intended.

Looking Ahead

All in all, it was a fantastic day, and we’re already looking forward to returning next year to support another brilliant event (and maybe bring home a few more victories).

To see the highlights of our day, head over to our Instagram.

Need Support? Backup Tech Can Help

If you or someone you know is struggling, whether financially or with their mental wellbeing, Backup Tech is here to help. You can contact their confidential support line on 0800 464 7068.

Author Archive

Take That: Back Under The Big Top

World Mental Health Day at Neg Earth Lights

Summer BBQ at Neg Earth Lights

Custom Automation for Dave

Chainmaster Training Strengthens Neg Earth’s Motors Team

Lighting Up the Capel Military Show

Neg Earth Lights the Way for Iron Maiden’s Run For Your Lives Tour

John Featherstone – Breaking Into the Industry Advice