Geezers of Gear
Marcel Fairbairn
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A music industry veteran interviews people involved in creating live events, concerts, and entertainment. The show features over 300 episodes with stories from pioneers of the concert touring world and up-and-coming talent. It also includes a spin-off series called 'Leading Ladies' celebrating women in the concert business, hosted by producer Sarah Birnie, and an AI FutureTech podcast for industry releases.
Episodes
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Illuminating the Journey of Anne Militello 01.10.2026 1h 14mLEADING LADIES EPISODE 28Anne Militello shares her incredible journey through the lighting industry, from underground clubs to Broadway and international projects. Discover her insights on the science of light, her creative process, and advice for aspiring designers.This episode is sponsored by Lightwsitch -
Ultimate guide to LDI 2026 30.09.2026 1h 19mEPISODE: 364Welcome to our ultimate guide to LDI 2026.Today, we're unlocking the best-kept secrets of the LDI website, from booking hands-on control network training to scoring a ticket to the exclusive Dining with Dinosaurs dinner, where the industry's living legends pass down fifty years of rock-and-roll touring wisdom.Whether you're a young professional under twenty-five looking for a break, or a veteran programmer looking for a challenge, this is your master plan for Las Vegas. Let's dive in. -
Pangolin Unity Elite PRO: Lighter, Leaner, Brighter 28.09.2026 4mEPISODE 67We break down Pangolin’s redesigned Unity Elite PRO series, from the Elite 60 PRO’s major weight and power reductions to its impressive red output, tight beam divergence, and integrated FB4 control. Plus, we cover the practical upgrades crew members will appreciate, including yoke angle reference markings and full IP65 weatherproofing for demanding tours and festivals. -
Inside the Drone and Fireworks Spectacle on the Ohio River with Pyrotecnico 25.09.2026 4mEPISODE 67We break down how a historic riverfront festival pulled off a jaw-dropping spectacle: fireworks launched from barges and a bridge, synced to live radio, and timed with hundreds of drones over the Ohio River. From GPS anchoring and SMPTE timecode to FAA clearances and safety zones, it’s a look at the production complexity behind a modern outdoor show. -
ETC’s Hog HPU Plus Brings 64 Universes to 2U 24.09.2026 4mEPISODE 66ETC’s latest Hog HPU Plus packs full console power into a 2U rack unit, delivering headless operation, DMX processing, and support for 64 universes. The episode also covers its ruggedized rear-panel IO, legacy support for original HPU units, and ETC’s five-year warranty commitment. -
Lighting the Legends with Robert A. Roth 09.09.2026 1h 59mRobert A. Roth, Vice President of Live Events at 4Wall Entertainment and Founder of Eccentric Design, continues to shape live event production with the inventive streak that launched his career nearly six decades ago. A rare triple threat, Roth seamlessly bridges business, design, and technology to navigate complex productions from every angle, overseeing strategy for major stadium tours, broadcast productions, and corporate eventsAcross his career, Roth has been a creative visionary for globally recognized artists, including Eagles, Billy Joel, Metallica, Justin Bieber, Eric Church, Bad Bunny, The Jacksons, and Ozzy Osbourne, as well as “The Trilogy Tour” featuring Enrique Iglesias, Pitbull, and Ricky Martin.His journey started at just 14 in Athens, Georgia, where he created his first projection performance, “The Aurora Lite Show.” Choosing the road over Georgia Tech, he found mentorship from industry veterans like Lynyrd Skynyrd’s original road manager and founded R.A. Roth, Inc. in 1975. A major milestone came in the early 1980s with his lighting design for The Jacksons’ “Victory Tour,” elevating his work globally. Always innovating, he integrated early CAD systems into his workflow through ventures like Source Point Design.Roth later joined Production Resource Group (PRG) in 1997 as Vice President, spent 15 years as a Sales Executive at Christie Lites, and eventually transitioned to 4Wall Entertainment. His diverse portfolio also spans television, festivals, Tyler Perry's stage tours, and historic political events, including Barack Obama’s 2008 election night broadcast.A dedicated mentor, Roth remains driven by one core philosophy: stay curious, stay committed, and make it work.Robert A. Roth is a veteran executive, designer, and entrepreneur in live event production and lighting design with a career spanning nearly six decades. Known for bridging creative design, business strategy, and technological innovation, he has designed and managed lighting systems for major stadium tours, television broadcasts, historic political events, and corporate productions. -
The Human Element of Live Music: Decades on the Road with Tee-Cee Bailey 31.08.2026 1h 54mEPISODE 27LEADING LADIES PodcastTee-Cee Bailey shares her extensive experience in the music touring industry, her journey with Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood, and insights into the evolving nature of touring, work-life balance, and mental health support.Tee-Cee shares her extensive experience in the music touring industry, emphasizing the importance of human connection, evolving technology, and supporting the next generation of industry professionals.This episode highlights the human element behind the scenes and the power of music to unite and inspire. -
Electronic Theatre Controls - The GigaPix on a stroll in the streets of Paris! 28.08.2026 3mEPISODE 65On the occasion of the Nuit Blanche, our GigaPix boats boarded the famous float of the Pari Roller & Mobilités Association to accompany this great night hike in the heart of the capital.Two GigaPix and two Lonestar Prime cars punctuated the route and accompanied the participants through the streets of Paris.Every Friday evening, Pari Roller & Mobilités organizes a free ride, open to all and supervised by volunteers: a great way to discover Paris in a different way... on wheels!We break down how weather-resistant, high-output fixtures can thrive on a moving parade float during Nuit Blanche in Paris. The conversation covers IP54 protection, Integrated Fresnel optics, RGBL color mixing, and wireless DMX control for mobile lighting rigs. -
Making the Magic: Passion, Persistence, and Special FX with Vince Camerano founder and CEO of Master FX 27.08.2026 1h 15mEpisode 361From selling homemade fog fluid out of the trunk of a 1993 Buick LeSabre at just 18 years old to building one of the live entertainment industry’s leading atmospheric effects companies, Vince Camerano’s story is anything but ordinary.As founder and CEO of **Master FX**, Vince has spent more than 15 years turning a lifelong obsession with Halloween, haunted attractions, and special effects into a USA-based manufacturer of professional fog, haze, low-lying fog, snow, and atmospheric effects equipment and fluids used across concerts, theatre, theme parks, and major live events.What started as *Master Fog* grew through curiosity, persistence, and a willingness to solve problems others couldn't. Vince recognized early that production professionals needed cleaner, more reliable fluids and equipment that could protect expensive lighting and production gear — and built Master FX around that philosophy.But Vince’s story is about more than gear. He’s a believer in relationships, adaptability, patience, innovation, and simply being nice. He also shares those lessons as host of **Beyond the Limelight**, where he talks with leaders from across the entertainment industry.From the trunk of a Buick to Super Bowl productions, Vince Camerano is a great example of what can happen when passion meets persistence. -
Pangolin - Behind every great laser show is a workflow built for creativity. 21.08.2026 5mEPISODE 64Pangolin are excited to feature at madz.fxs and their incredible laser design, programming, and live operation for Verknipt Malaysia 2026. Using Pangolin BEYOND and FB4, they transformed the energy of hard techno into an immersive laser experience.Explore how Madz.fxs transformed a hard techno show into a 360-degree laser environment with twelve 40W projectors spread across the venue.The episode breaks down the hybrid workflow of Pangolin BEYOND, FB4 hardware, timecode precision, and live busking on an AKAI APC40 MK II to keep the visuals intense without overwhelming the crowd. -
Pyrotecnico and Freedom 250 have earned the Guinness World Records title for the largest fireworks 14.08.2026 4mEPISODE 63It is now official: Pyrotecnico and Freedom 250 have earned the Guinness World Records title for the largest fireworks display, with 840,537 fireworks illuminating Washington, D.C., in celebration of America’s 250th birthday.The record measures the display's scale. What it cannot fully capture are the months of planning, precision, sacrifice and teamwork required to make such an undertaking possible.This episode breaks down how D.C.'s record-setting fireworks display synced 840,537 launches to music with millisecond precision. From SMPTE timecode and e-matches to negative offsets and safety diagnostics, it explores the engineering behind a massive, perfectly timed sky show. -
Behind the Mic with Marcel Fairbairn and Sarah Birnie 12.08.2026 1h 47mEpisode #360 In this episode, we explore the innovative world of industry media, sponsorships, and the future of event technology. Marcel and Sarah discuss their projects like EventWire, Dining with Dinosaurs, and the importance of authentic partnerships in the live events industry. In this episode, Geezers of Gear shares insights into the rapid development of AI tools like Perplexity Computer and EventWire, highlighting their impact on the industry and the importance of embracing technology. Sarah and Marcel discuss the evolution of media, industry connections, and future trends in live event technology. -
From HD to AI: Lessons from 40 Years in TV with Bert Delgado 06.08.2026 1h 21mEpisode 359Bert Delgado is the Senior Vice President of Production & Technical Operations at TelevisaUnivision, where he leads production, broadcast operations, and technical infrastructure across the company's news, sports, entertainment, and streaming platforms.With more than 40 years in the television industry, Bert has helped shape some of the biggest advancements in broadcast production, from Univision's transition to digital and HD to overseeing major live events including the Latin Grammys, World Cup coverage, and some of Spanish-language television's most iconic programs.A respected industry leader and champion of innovation, Bert is also helping launch the Creative Production Experience, or CPX, a new event designed to bring together professionals from television, film, live events, sports, and creative technology to explore the future of content production.This version is concise, conversational, and gives listeners a clear sense of Bert's experience and why he's an important voice in the industry.This episode is brought to you by ETC and Delicate Productions -
From Classroom Lasers to 300 Watt Sky Beams 31.07.2026 7mEPISODE 62FUTURETECH Featuring Pangolin This episode traces Kvant’s rise from classroom laser demos and clunky gas-laser rigs to a world-class brand built on proprietary diode modules, smarter show control, and the Beam Brush. It also explores how partnerships with MA Lighting and Pangolin helped bring lasers into mainstream production workflows while scaling power from milliwatts to monster sky lasers. -
The Power of Kindness in Industry Transitions with Patti Thurston 30.07.2026 1h 47mEpisode 358In this episode, Patti Thurston shares her journey from a lighting designer and marketing executive to her thoughts on industry changes, the importance of networking, and the value of kindness. We explore how technology, AI, and industry shifts impact careers and community in the live event industry. Patti shares her journey from theater lighting to becoming the first female IATSE stagehand in Philadelphia, her experiences in touring with major artists like Patty LaBelle, and her insights into the evolution of the industry, including the challenges and opportunities for women in technical roles.This episode is brought to you by ETC and Main Light -
The Human Timecode Behind Weird Al’s Live Show 29.07.2026 6mEPISODE 61FUTURETECH - Featuring ETCWe dig into the high-pressure artistry of running a major comedy tour completely live, from manually firing 111-cue sequences to keeping split-second jokes locked in without timecode. The episode also explores creative preprogramming at home, lighting against giant LED walls, festival rig cloning, and why the desk was so intuitive a nine-year-old could run a set. -
Building a Community for Women in Live Music with Malle Kaas 27.07.2026 1h 23mEPISODE 26LEADING LADIES PODCASTIn this episode, Malle, CEO of Women in Live Music (WILM), shares her inspiring journey from sound engineer to founder of a global community supporting women and underrepresented groups in the music industry. She discusses industry challenges, the importance of community, and how to foster diversity and inclusion backstage.Malle Kaas is a live sound engineer, certified nurse anesthetist, and the CEO and co-founder of Women In Live Music (WILM), the European organization dedicated to supporting professionals working behind the scenes in live entertainment. Based in Copenhagen, Denmark, Malle has spent more than 20 years mixing live sound for bands, festivals, venues, and rental companies across Europe and around the world.In 2018, after witnessing the challenges and gender bias faced by women backstage, she co-founded WILM, which has grown into a thriving community of more than 7,500 live event professionals focused on networking, mentorship, education, and creating safer, more inclusive workplaces.Alongside her work in live production, Malle is a certified nurse anesthetist, freelances throughout Scandinavia, and serves as a staff member with RoadieMedic, bringing a unique blend of technical expertise, leadership, and medical experience to the industry.A passionate advocate for better working conditions, professional development, and greater diversity behind the scenes, Malle continues to tour while leading WILM's mission to help shape a stronger, more inclusive future for live entertainment.This episode is brought to you by Lightswitch -
Inside the 850,000 Firework D C Spectacle with Pyrotecnico 22.07.2026 6mEPISODE 60FUTURETECH Featuring PyrotecnicoWe break down the jaw-dropping logistics behind a massive Washington, D.C. pyrotechnics display, from hazmat transport and federal oversight to the split-second control it takes to launch a historic show.Then we explore how fireworks power the sports business, why corporate sponsors love them, and how drones are reshaping—but not replacing—the boom. -
ETC Reshapes Global Leadership for European and APAC Expansion 03.07.2026 5mEPISODE 59Futuretech Featuring ETCETC is making a major leadership shift with Darren Beckley stepping into a new European operations role while David Lincecum refocuses on automated lighting growth and APAC oversight. The episode also highlights ETC’s new community support through Geezers of Gear and its partnership with Eventwire. -
When Confetti Meets Lasers - The AIM & Pangolin Merger 29.06.2026 5mFUTURETECH Featuring Artistry In Motion and Pangolin Laser Systems.This week on Geezers Of Gear - FutureTech, Chris and Lacy dive into the massive news shaking up the special effects world: Artistry In Motion (AIM) is merging with Pangolin Laser Systems.We break down what this means for live production, touring crews, and the future of spectacular show design. Will we see laser-guided confetti, or is this all about backend R&D and logistics?(Spoiler: It's a bit of both!) Plus, we discuss why AIM's day-to-day operations in LA aren't changing, and how this alliance represents a major step forward for the live entertainment industry.
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