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July 23, 2025

Neg Earth

Behind the scenesFestival Fever campaignFestival lighting solutionsFestival productionFestivalsKelsea Ballerini tour lightingLighting for live eventsLighting technicianLive event crewNeg Earth LightsStage lighting technicianTouring crew storieswomen in live events

PeopleTouring

Festival Fever Presents: Lighting Up the Industry with Finley Alexander

Festival Fever Presents: Lighting Up the Industry with Finley Alexander 0

During Festival Fever, we’re shining a light on the incredible people behind the scenes who help bring festivals and live events to life. In this edition, we caught up with Finley Alexander, a lighting technician whose journey from a summer theatre intern to working major arena tours is nothing short of inspiring.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From Summer Theatre to Stadium Tours

Finley’s story began in a small theatre near her grandparents’ house, where she started interning at just 14 years old.

“I worked in summer theatres throughout high school. That experience really inspired me to study theatre at college,” Finley shares.

Her interest in lighting and live events sparked naturally from that early exposure.

“Seeing how lighting transforms the audience’s experience — how it adds so much emotion and impact — that’s what pulled me into the world of live entertainment.”

Proud Moments on Tour

Among Finley’s many achievements, one moment stands out:

“I just finished Kelsea Ballerini’s Live on Tour, her first headlining arena tour. What made it really special was the fact that 30% of the crew were women. That felt like such a huge step forward in the industry — it was empowering to be part of it.”

 

Lessons from the Road

Working across different teams, cultures and locations has shaped Finley’s approach to life on the road:

“I’ve learnt that we all come from different walks of life, but we’re here to do the same job. Learning how to communicate and support each other is everything.”

And for anyone just starting out? Finley offers honest, heartfelt advice:

“Don’t be afraid to ask questions — even if it feels silly. You could spot something others have missed and that might save time and stress later. You learn something new every day.”

A Word on Work Culture

Since visiting Neg Earth, Finley’s felt right at home:

“It’s been such a welcoming environment. Everyone’s supportive and there’s a real team spirit.”

And perhaps most importantly:

“We’re in the live entertainment industry — people come to shows to have a great time. If you’re not enjoying your work, you lose sight of the whole point.”

At Neg Earth Lights, we’re proud to work with talented, passionate professionals like Finley.

 

 

 

 

July 16, 2025

Neg Earth

Behind the scenesFestival Fever campaignFestival lighting solutionsFestival productionFestivalsLighting for live eventsLighting technicianLive event crewNeg Earth LightsStage lighting technicianTouring crew stories

PeopleTouring

Festival Fever Presents Crew Chief Legend: William Frostman

Festival Fever Presents Crew Chief Legend: William Frostman 0

At Neg Earth Lights, Festival Season is more than just a busy period — it’s a time where behind-the-scenes magic takes centre stage. As part of our Festival Fever campaign, we’re celebrating the brilliant people who power live events, giving our audience a closer look at the teamwork, expertise and passion driving our crew.

 

This week, we’re shining the spotlight on William Frostman (Frosty), Lighting Technician, Crew Chief and long-standing member of the Neg Earth family.

From Beer and Gigs to Global Tours

William’s journey into the live events industry began — quite literally — by accident. While in college, he started working with a band his roommate was part of, handling lighting in exchange for beer and ten dollars a night. That modest start ignited a passion, leading him to pursue a degree in lighting and take on roles at companies like Southern Thunder and Pete’s Lights and Upstaging in the US, before making his way to Neg Earth in the UK.

“I don’t wear a suit and tie or go to an office. Every day is something different, in a different part of the world. That’s what I love.”

 

Memorable Gigs, Timeless Values

With decades in the industry, William has a wealth of gigs to look back on — but what stands out most to him isn’t the scale of the shows, but the people behind them.

“It’s the ethos at places like Neg Earth and Upstaging. People respect each other and work together — that’s why I do what I do.”

For William, the magic of touring comes from good teamwork and a shared passion for putting on unforgettable experiences.

 

Lessons from the Road

William’s career spans a time of massive technological evolution in the industry — from analogue Parcans and Lekos to today’s sophisticated robotics and lighting networks.

“The technology has changed massively since the 1980s. Now we’re working with complex networking and robotics — but the core values remain.”

He believes in the importance of learning everything from the ground up. Whether you’re aiming to be a designer or programmer, understanding how things are set up, cabled and powered makes you better at any role you take on.

“You’ve got to trust yourself but never be too proud to ask questions. There’s a wealth of knowledge out there — don’t waste it.”

 

Why Neg Earth Lights Feels Like Home

Having worked across the globe, William says what sets Neg Earth apart is simple: the people.

“Neg Earth has always felt like home. Dave runs a great company — he looks after his people and that means a lot. I enjoy what I do and who I do it with.”

 

Festival Season, Powered by People

It’s stories like William’s that remind us what makes this industry so special. Behind every spotlight and stage is a team of professionals who bring events to life — with dedication, craft and a genuine love for what they do.

 

 

 

 

February 11, 2025

Contract

People

A Day of Hands-On Learning in Lighting and Rigging!

A Day of Hands-On Learning in Lighting and Rigging! 0

An initiative aimed at investing in the next generation of creative professionals in the live events industry. 

Neg Earth hosted an immersive experience day for students at their facilities in London. 

The event attended by twenty 2nd year students eager to explore the behind-the-scenes world of live events. The group travelled from Nottingham School of Art & Design a longstanding education partner. 

Participants were treated to hands-on demonstrations in lighting fixtures, rigging techniques, and technical trouble shooting. The day kicked off with an introduction of shared insights into the industry, emphasizing the importance of innovation, sustainability, teamwork, and safety in event production. 

Rachel Condon, Learning & Development Business Partner quotes. “Today’s experience day is not just about showing students how we work; it’s about igniting their passion for the industry, We believe in investing in the future, and we’re happy to provide a platform for young minds to learn and grow.” 

Students were divided into groups and rotated through various stations, where they had the opportunity to operate professional lighting equipment, learn about rigging & motors, and understand some common trouble shooting practices.   

Rob Baldock Senior Lecturer,  “Just wanted to say a HUGE thank you for yesterday. It was such a great experience and will be something the students remember for a long time. For all of you to give your time and energy to make such an engaging and educational event is really appreciated. If we can continue to make this an annual event, we would love to keep this going. 

A big thank you to all at Neg who supported this day, as the students were able to explore and extend their technology knowledge and develop problem solving skills in a lighting rig environment. 

As part of our commitment to community engagement, Neg Earth Lights aims to host more events like this in the future, providing students with further opportunities to explore careers in the live event industry. 

January 21, 2025

Contract

PeopleUncategorized

Shaping a brighter tomorrow

Shaping a brighter tomorrow 0

Neg Earth Lights welcomes an emerging lighting designer on site to work with the grandMA3 technology.

Radym Makogin, who travelled from Ukraine, is designing lights for the band @epolets.

He made use of the visualisation suite on site at Neg Earths London facilities, to time code his lighting design effectively.

When asked how he found out about Neg Earth Lights, he said he followed everyone from the Eurovision team, Tim Routledge Instagram and then contacted us for help.

Radym says it was a memorable experience to be able to use the facilities and meet the team.

Sam Ridgway, Director says “We believe that the future of lighting lies in the hands of the next generation of experts.  By investing in their talent and creativity, we are supporting the path of innovation and sustainability in our industry.”

July 25, 2024

Neg Earth

People

Neg Earth Donates Truck to British Ukrainian Aid

Neg Earth Donates Truck to British Ukrainian Aid 0

Neg Earth Donates Truck to British Ukrainian Aid to Support Humanitarian Relief Efforts 

As part of our ongoing commitment to giving back, Neg Earth will be donating a truck through the Donation scheme to support the valuable work of this charity. 

The donated vehicle is a Renault 16T rigid truck, the first of its kind to be contributed through this scheme 

Our trucks journey so far has been an adventurous one. Designed and built to our spec from new in 2015, it has travelled over one hundred thousand miles across most of Europe carrying its precious cargo to prestigious live events such as Rammstein, Iron Maiden, The Eurovision Song Contest, The Rolling Stones, ACDC and closer to home to the Glastonbury Festival every year since. 

In full working order, this vehicle will be instrumental in delivering essential humanitarian aid to those in need. 

 

 

July 12, 2023

Neg Earth

Live EventsPeopleUncategorized

Crufts 2023

Crufts 2023 0

On 7-10th of March 2023, the world’s most well-known dog show, Crufts, kicked off in the NEC Birmingham for a 4-day spectacular, with over 18,000 contestants and hundreds of thousands of visitors. Organised and hosted by The Kennel Club, Crufts features a wide array of prestigious awards to celebrate the world of dogs. 

Neg Earth Lights were thrilled to be the supplier once again of the lighting for the 2023 show, and proudly supported Crufts for their monumental 150th anniversary! Moreover, it was a pleasure to have worked on such a unique project, giving the Neg team further experience working in a range of different events. 

28 Ayrton Perseo-S fixtures were provided for the show. These luminaires highlighted the dogs taking centre stage with their moving-head and precise beams. 

52 Chroma-Q Color One 100 X IP65 were supplied by Neg Earth for the event. These powerful LED beams have an extensive range of features including theatrical grade dimming, making this the perfect feature for drawing attention to the dogs taking to the floor. 

24 Martin Mac Aura PXL were also provided for the show. These multi-lens wash lights, which feature high intensity yet tight beams, helped to produce a dramatic showbiz effect for the stage. 

These high-performance fixtures contributed to an entertaining and theatrical visual display spotlighting the performing pups. Neg Earth Lights are proud to have supplied the lighting equipment for a 4-day showcase at Crufts 2023, helping to perfectly execute a striking visual display, providing world-class lighting for a world-class event. 

Credits 

Lighting Designer/Operator: Paul Cook  

Project Team: Martin Garnish and Rachel Condon 

 

 

June 27, 2023

Neg Earth

Live EventsPeople

Star Wars Celebration Europe 2023

Star Wars Celebration Europe 2023 0

To celebrate the galaxy far, far away, the world’s biggest Star Wars event, Star Wars Celebration Europe 2023, took place over a 4-day weekender full of storm troopers, dark droids and luminous lightsabres from the 7th to the 10th April. 

For the LucasFilm Studio showcase, Neg Earth Lights are thrilled to have provided lighting fixtures and equipment which created a striking and out-of-this-world visual display.  The Neg Earth team worked closely with Lighting Designer Matt Bialek, to develop his creative vision for the celebration into a futuristic space spectacle. 

‘Warsies’ and ‘Star Warriors’ headed to the ExCeL in London in a community of Cosplay costumes for a celebration of the fifth highest grossing movie franchise of all time. The event included immersive exhibits, exclusive merchandise and celebrity guests. The sell-out event celebrated all things Star Wars, even releasing a major announcement for the return of old Star Wars legends onscreen.  

One of the fixtures supplied by Neg Earth for the showcase was the Martin Mac Aura PXL. This multi-lens wash light features high intensity beams, providing the exhibition with bold and vibrant beams of colours which projected through the rooms. Additionally, the Ayrton Domino Profile helped to produce a space-age atmosphere from its dynamic lines of saturated light. The high-performance fixture was a great contribution to the lighting display, creating a broad colour spectrum for the Sci-Fi Celebration. 

Neg Earth are proud to be the lighting supplier for the Star Wars Celebration 2023. We hope to work with the Star Wars Celebration team on future initiatives to develop more striking shows.  

 

Credits 

Lighting Designer: Matt Bialek  

Project Manager: Martin Garnish 

Photography credit:  @geek.pride 

Video credit: Star Wars Celebration via Instagram

 

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