TPi_Magazine__February_2018

This month we speak to TPi Breakthrough Talent Award winners Matt Didon
and James Walton about their blossoming company, ON LX, and what the
future has in store…
Before enrolling at the
University of South Wales,
Matt Didon and James
Walton already had business
nous. But after being paired
together for High End
Systems’ Hog Factor in 2014,
the duo thought they would
apply their skills to the live
events industry. Three years
later and ON LX provides
bespoke lighting, video and
technical services for events,
installations and everything
in between. TPi spoke to the crack team about what the future holds for their fledgling
venture and the challenges of juggling a new business and university work.
“Both Matt and I worked in the live events industry when we met,” began Walton, who
worked for Shock Solutions, which was acquired by White Light about 4 years ago, while Matt
started his own rental mobile DJ package company. With several years’ experience under their
belts, Didon and Walton enrolled at the University of South Wales for a Bachelor’s Degree in
Lighting Design and Technology. In their first year, both continued to work on extracurricular
ventures. Walton explained: “Matt was already building the foundation of what would become
ON LX while I was working on my own business called Spektrum Systems where I would build
custom media server packages. After our successful collaboration on the 2014 Hog Factor, we
decided to join forces, effectively merging Spektrum Systems with ON LX.”
Since the dawn of the partnership, Didon and Walton have been walking the line between
live events specialists and startup tech company. From providing the visual package to The
Giant Tree at Glastonbury 2017 to producing a custom control systems for gym studios,
the brains behind ON LX have certainly proved themselves in several fields. “We are really
focussed on keeping both sides of the business going,” commented Didon. “It’s been really
great working on the app side of the business and we have certainly got people’s attention.”
The goal of their app venture is to provide an “incredibly simple interface that can control
some fairly complex operations”, with features including the ability to “analyse audio in a live
scenario and simultaneously sync and operate lighting automatically.” But Didon and Walton
are both determined to keep in touch with what’s going on in the field rather than pigeonhole
their skills into an exclusively software company.
“Glastonbury was certainly one of last year’s highlights for us,” recalled Walton. ON LX
supplied a bespoke lighting solution with 40 universes of WS2811 pixels with which festivalgoers
could interact. “I had worked in the Greenpeace part of the site for the last few years
and have known Ben Bailes, who oversees the project, for some time. This year Matt oversaw
the all the programming of the show and I handled all the servers and networking of the
event. It was certainly an intensive few days but it looked fantastic.”
Having graduated last year, Didon is now working full time for the company while Walton
finishes his final year of university following a placement year in Australia with Enttec. “To say
it’s been tough is an understatement,” laughed Walton, as he described the balancing act
of holding down a new business as well as a full time degree. But he credits the University
of South Wales’ course as being “incredibly helpful” in developing their business. “As well
as having experienced lighting professionals as lectures, we also have guest lectures from
industry professionals who come in throughout the year. We have both been able to learn a
great deal from these individuals on the business side.”
Looking to the future, the dynamic duo already have some interesting projects on the
horizon. Didon and Walton both recently completed their Notch training and are hoping to
provide even more options for clients, both in the install world and in live touring. “I think
because of how specialised our skill sets are, there is no limit to how big ON LX will grow and it
being our own company means we have the freedom to pursue a myriad of different projects!”
As winners of this year’s TPi Breakthrough Talent award, both Didon and Walton will next
attend this year’s TPi Awards in February.
TPi
www.productionfutures.co.uk
www.onlx.co.uk
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