The UK live music industry isn’t just about the artists on stage; it’s also about the invisible army of engineers, designers, and technicians who make the spectacle possible. This week, the community, which is often primarily behind the scenes, has gathered at the UK’s premier trade event for live entertainment technology, the ‘PLASA Show 2025’, currently underway at Olympia London (7-9 September). The show has drawn in more than 7,500 visitors, featuring well over 250 exhibitors, showcasing a vibrant community of professionals and brands.
Attendees, ranging from seasoned experts to fresh talent, had the opportunity to experience next-generation technology first-hand through demonstrations and immersive sessions. A unique thematic dualism defined this year’s show: a forward-looking embrace of innovation coupled with a profound celebration of the industry’s rich heritage. One of this year’s most talked-about sessions was the ‘Against All Odds: Live Aid, 40 Years On’, which brought together key practitioners from the iconic 1985 Live Aid Concert, celebrating the logistical feat as they reflected on overcoming multiple technological and logistical challenges that set the benchmark for global live music events.
In a 1989 interview with the Smithsonian, Hal Uplinger, the producer of ‘Live Aid’, said: “It was a little complicated. Our major coordinating control point was Philadelphia. Everything, including Wembley, came into Philadelphia before it went to be seen on the BBC…We had, I think, 35 trailers there and an entire field of satellite dishes that controlled our uplinks and downlinks.” By intentionally linking past accomplishments with future possibilities, ‘PLASA 2025′ positioned itself as more than just a simple trade show; it became a strategic forum for industry professionals to learn from their history, as they get a glimpse of what the future of the live music industry looks like.
Alongside the anniversary retrospective, the show floor is alive with a vibrant showcase of technological progress, revealing several key trends across the core disciplines of live entertainment. The products on display demonstrated a clear industry focus on ruggedisation, modularity, network integration, and user-centric design, all of which are direct responses to the operational and economic demands of an ever-evolving modern production landscape. For many, this is less a trade fair and more a glimpse into the future of live performance, where artistry and technology continue to push boundaries and collaborate seamlessly.
By blending legacy and innovation, ‘PLASA 2025’ serves as an authoritative bellwether for the live music industry, revealing a community that is both resilient and forward-thinking. The show is more than just a showcase of new products; it serves as a symbol of how the industry is defined by its ability to overcome challenges and its unwavering capacity for dynamic, transformative growth, ensuring that the UK continues to remain a global hub for live music excellence, reminding us that behind every memorable gig lies an army of people who rarely make their presence felt.
