Australasia’s leading touring audio suppliers; Jands Production Services Pty Limited (JPS) and Johnston Audio Services, (JAS) have entered into a Heads of Agreement to merge the two companies. The Heads of Agreement is subject to undertaking of due diligence which is expected to be completed by the end of June.

Both companies have long histories in the touring sound market and over the past four decades have supplied production services to nearly every major tour and music event in Australia and New Zealand.

Eric Robinson, CEO of JPS, commented, “In our discussions it has become clear that we’re both facing the same challenges on large tours and music events. Our clients are looking to us for increased efficiencies and jointly we’ll be able to respond in a way that reduces costs, expands our equipment offerings, and solves logistical problems. Potentially it brings major benefits to promoters and touring artists.”

The companies will continue to operate from their existing premises in Sydney and Melbourne and both expect to benefit by having access to a larger pool of equipment and expertise. The merged group expects to use the synergies of working together to deliver outstanding service for their clients.

Commenting on the move, JAS Managing Director Bruce Johnston stated, “I am excited about the new equipment and services we’ll be able to bring to our customers. The combination of JAS and JPS will create one of the best audio companies in the world, providing real benefits to Australian and international artists.”

The merger of the two companies will increase the level of support and service available to JPS and JAS clients and reinforces the group’s ongoing commitment to meeting the challenges of the modern touring market. Together the companies intend to remain at the forefront of technology, clearly demonstrated by the recent introduction of new speaker systems and significant investment in control and amplification packages.

Jands Production Services was founded in 1970 and operates in the theatre, corporate and touring audio markets.

Johnston Audio Services commenced operations in 1985 and provides audio for tours, festivals and fixed installations.

Global comedy ‘rock-star’, Russell Peters, brought his hillarious Green Card Tour to Australia in May. As part of his “Green Card Tour,” the shows featured all new material since the release of his latest DVD, “Red, White and Brown”. He was recently ranked by Forbes — along with Jerry Seinfeld and Chris Rock — as one of the top ten highest grossing stand-up comics in the U.S.

JAS supplied a D&B J series arena system for the shows at the Acer arena in Sydney and the Rod Laver arena in Melbourne.

Date

May 8, 9, 11, 14, 17, 20

System

56 x D&B J
12 x D&B J-sub
6 x D&B B2 sub
Digidesign SC48 FOH console

JAS crew

Audio system tech: Doug Pringle
Audio system tech: Otavio ‘Guto!!’ Santos

Bob Geldoff at the Athenaeum – Packed house…what a sound!

3 hours – three encores. What can you say? The guy has a calm casual persona that tends to endear most everybody he meets. Bob was great. The band was great. And the sound was fantastic. Amazing really when you consider, the little Nexo PS8’s are so small, it almost looked like there was no PA system at all.

Sean Busby-Little was in control of FOH and he did a great job. Sean, as you would expect, has worked throughout the world and used a multitude of systems. He has been using Nexo’s in the UK but said “This has to be one of the best setups I believe I have used” and then with tongue in cheek he went on to say “It must be the air down under or something”.

But seriously, Sean only had extremely nice things to say about the setup. Big credit really to the whole crew. Not so much for any effort of lugging boxes, but simply for the careful and thoughtful placement of the system.

Sean Busby-Little at the FOH desk. At the sound check, he got a bit serious and had it so cranked that we could hear the drum check very clearly from the coffee shop next door (If you know the Athenaeum – it is through two sets of closed doors, the foyer, past the stairs another set of doors and in the rear theatre). And even from the coffee shop it was as clear as a bell.

Prior to the gig. Looking back at the Athenaeum from the bands perspective. Very refreshing to not see stacks of PA speakers everywhere.