One of PLASA Show’s most popular features, Classic Gear Live, returns in 2025 with a new location and an expanded collection of rare and iconic entertainment technology.
Now situated on the Gallery level of Olympia, London, this unmissable feature brings together two distinct showcases: Classic Gear Live by Rob Halliday, focusing on lighting and projection history, and CH Vintage Audio by Chris Hewitt, presenting legendary rock and roll sound systems.
A new vantage point for vintage gear
This year, Classic Gear Live moves upstairs to stands K82 and K109, offering a fresh perspective on the history of live production. With a newly created dark space, visitors can experience psychedelic and theatrical projections as they were originally intended – including Aldis and Optikinetics effects projectors, and Strand’s classic effects discs.
Marking several anniversaries, Rob Halliday’s display will feature rare equipment that tells the story of the industry’s evolution – from the Thorn Q-File (which inspired the first ETC console) to significant desks from ETC’s history, in honour of the company’s 50th anniversary.
A mock-up of a pre-CAD lighting designer’s workspace, complete with drawing board and hand-drafted plans, offers a tactile trip into the past, with contributions from notable designers expected throughout the show.
Classic Gear Live also proudly marks the 40th anniversary of LSi magazine. LSi has long documented the evolution of the live entertainment technology industry, and its long-running Classic Gear column is the inspiration behind this live exhibition.
Visitors are encouraged to pick up the latest issue of LSi at the show and explore four decades of industry coverage in Classic Gear Live’s special library of LSi back-issues, stretching all the way back to the 1980s.
Demonstrations of reel-to-reel tape editing and appearances by members of the Historic Stage Lighting Collective, Technical Theatre Preservation Group, Backstage Heritage Collection and Broadcast Engineering Museum further underscore the importance of preserving technical heritage.
A special seminar on Tuesday 9 September will address the value and challenges of conserving this legacy.
Legendary sound systems with CH Vintage Audio
Next door on stands K105 and K106, Chris Hewitt and the CH Vintage Audio team return with a remarkable collection of historic PA gear.
From the mixing desks that shaped the sounds of Pink Floyd, David Bowie, Led Zeppelin, The Who, and Mike Oldfield, to the very systems used at the Isle of Wight Festival and on the Dark Side of the Moon tour, these audio artefacts represent a golden age of live sound innovation.
For 2025, CH Vintage Audio will also stage a live tribute to one of music history’s most iconic moments: The Beatles’ rooftop concert of 1969. Scheduled for Sunday and Monday (times to be confirmed), a tribute band will recreate the full performance – complete with replica instruments, costumes and the original Fender PA system used by the Beatles themselves.
Celebrate the gear that made history
Classic Gear Live offers an unmissable opportunity for industry professionals and enthusiasts alike to experience the evolution of entertainment technology first-hand. With original hardware, expert talks and live demonstrations, it is where the past meets the present on the show floor.
Classic Gear Live can be found on the Gallery level of Olympia London, stands K82/K109 and K105/K106, at PLASA Show 2025, taking place 7-9 September.
Entry is free, but registration is required. From 5 September, tickets will be £15 plus VAT – so register early to secure your free pass.
