When Bette Midler and her entourage visited Australia, at the end of her 1978 world tour, she sold out 34 shows. Her infamous “trash with flash” act consisted of a sting of hits and jokes including her “Delores Delago” character - a beached mermaid, who zoomed on and off stage in a motorized wheelchair.

Jands provided the sound system including Concord speaker cabinets which were both stacked on stage and flown in the State theatre.

Jands also provided the lighting which was designed and operated by the legendary Chip Monk - LD and larger than life master of ceremonies at Woodstock.

Tour Dates
October 25 - Sydney, State Theatre
October 26 - Sydney, State Theatre
October 27 - Sydney, State Theatre
October 28 - Sydney, State Theatre
October 29 - Sydney, State Theatre
November 01 - Melbourne
November 04 - Perth
November 07 - Adelaide
November 09 - Brisbane
November 12 - Sydney, State Theatre
November 13 - Sydney, State Theatre
November 14 - Sydney, State Theatre

This was 31 year-old David Bowie’s first tour of Australia. He brought along a Showco crew, FOH consoles and a custom built fluorescent light wall and ceiling structure. Unusually no coloured lighting was used. Instead the show relied on the different colour temperatures of incandescent, tungsten, fluorescent and other light sources to create contrast. The National Times said, ‘The light show, like the artist when illuminated, was an example of true excellence.
Jands supplied the sound system, lighting support and the outdoor roof. Seven semi-trailers were used to transport the equipment around Australia.

Brisbane newspaper reported: “David Bowie today received some noisy feedback from Queensland’s minister in charge of noise, Mr Russ Hinze, following the pop star’s open-air concert last night. ‘These pop singers come out here to make a quick quid by disturbing our peace and tranquillity,’ Mr Hinze said. ‘The fact that he’s a pommie as well wouldn’t help.’
Mr Hinze, who is the minister for local government, said the newly-formed Noise Abatement Authority will investigate complaints that last night’s Bowie concert at Lang Park, Brisbane, disturbed the peace.
It was reported that the noise was loud enough to be heard 6 km away. Residents of the suburbs of Paddington, Barton and Milton described it as ‘intolerable’.

The support group for the tour was The Angels. Tickets for the Sydney concerts cost $12.50

Jands Crew
Vagn Stenvei
David Mulholland

Tour Dates

November 5 ) - Rehearsals
November 8 ) - Sydney Hordern Pavillion
November 11 - Adelaide
November 14 - Perth
November 18 - Melbourne Cricket Ground.
November 21 - Brisbane.
November 24 - Sydney Showground
November 25 - Sydney Showground.
November 29 - Christchurch, QE2 Stadium.
December 2 - Auckland, Western Springs.

The “Blondes ‘Ave More Fun Tour” was Rod Stewart’s second trip to Australia. For the outdoor shows the sound system was stacked on three levels and was powered by Jands J600S amplifiers.

As in 1977, Patrick Woodroffe designed and operated the lighting which included PAR 64s, Altman Beamlights and Lekos along with a quantity of Arri 2K Blondies for audience lighting. The set featured all-white stage equipment and curtains.

Jands Crew
Vagn Stenvei, Phil Dracoulis, David Mulholland, Mark Keegan, Dave Houghton

Rod Stewart Crew
Pete Buckland, Patrick Woodroffe

Tour Dates 1979
31 January - Perth
01 February - Perth
02 February - Perth
05 February - Adelaide
09 February - Melbourne
12 February - Sydney
13 February - Sydney
16 February - Brisbane
17 February - Brisbane
18 February - Brisbane
23 February - Auckland, NZ
27 February - Christchurch, NZ

See more images from this tour

During the 1970s, radio station 2SM staged a series of free concerts in Sydney. The February 1979 concert turned out to be its last at Victoria Park and featured Dragon, The Angels, Split Enz, Kevin Borich and Sports. Sydney City Council subsequently banned outdoor shows there following complaints about crowd behaviour (Doc Neeson was knocked out by a flying beer can) and damage to the park.

Jands sound system included both 4-way and Concord speaker cabinets. Jands also supplied lighting and the outdoor roof for the concert.

Conservative protestant evangelist, Billy Graham, was in Sydney in April 1979 to present one of his crusades. These were big outdoor shows, attended by tens of thousands of people.

Jands provided sound, lighting and the outdoor roof for the event.

We are currently compiling and uploading information from the 1970s. When complete we’ll start adding events and stories from the 80s - check back soon.

During the 1980s
Jands Concert Productions acquired the assets of Artist Concert Tours
The rental company was sold to and then bought back from Samuelsons PLC
Jands became the Australian representative for Vari-Lite