Pop stars face blackouts under EU plans to ban high-power stage lights

POP stars face a concert black-out under EU plans to ban high-power stage lights.

New energy efficiency rules will outlaw the use of traditional tungsten bulbs and many of the latest LED fittings.

Spectacular music gigs face a black-out under a new EU diktat to ban high-power stage lights

Concert promoters warn it will be “catastrophic” for spectacular touring shows by artists such as Beyonce, Take That and Taylor Swift.

And it will force small theatres, school halls and community venues to splash out to replace older lighting systems.

The EU’s proposed Ecodesign Working Plan will regulate stage lighting under the same rules that govern household and office use.

Brexit will come too late to save music shows and theatre from the diktat, which

comes into force in September 2020.

Getty - Contributor The ‘Ecodesign Working Plan’ will hit our £4.4billion-a-year music industry – and Brexit will not come soon enough to save it[/caption]

Tugnsten and arc light bulbs would become unavailable and high-quality LED lighting units now on the market would also be banned.

Theatre lighting technicians say all the tools and equipment needed to put on a show will be put out-of-date by the new rules.

Lighting chiefs have launched a petition, signed by 80,000 so far, calling for an exemption for the entertainment industry.

They say high-powered gear is vital to vital to highlight drama, emotion and energy in a performance.

UK Music boss Michael Dugher said: “This could have a serious impact on the music industrythat contributes £4.4billion a year to our economy.

“While we recognise the importance of improving energy efficiency, there is a real risk venues could face huge costs to replace perfectly good lighting equipment.

“Despite UK Music and the Music Venue Trust winning much-needed changes to planning laws recently, this could not come at a worse time for many grassroots venues which are already battling to survive in the face of rent and rate hikes.

“It is vital that we maintain the existing exemption until a proper assessment has been made of the impact of the proposed change and we find a solution that everyone is happy with.”

Pop stars face blackouts under EU plans to ban high-power stage lights appeared first in The Sun

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