After weeks of speculation and changed specifications, a 45-footer rolled out of Brewery Road, N7 bound for the sub-zero climate of Stockholm, Sweden for the most prestigious music event of the year, the MTV Europe Music Awards. John Henry’s were the official backline supplier for the event that took place on November 16th at the Globe Arena, Stockholm. Artists who performed included Madonna, Jennifer Lopez, U2, Ronan Keating, Moby, Robbie Williams, Ricky Martin and The Backstreet Boys. As official supplier, our equipment and crew made sure that the event all went to plan.

Later with Jools Holland has been transmitted since 1992 and in that time has played host to over 400 of the world's finest bands. The show is shot live, usually in one take and has show-cased talent ranging from stadium acts such as David Bowie and Sting, to the latest up-and-coming artists. John Henry's have been there from the start and our equipment is co-ordinated by our Audio Manager, Robert Harding.

The show is a two day event, rig on the Monday, shoot on Tuesday, with the program usually airing the following Saturday. John Henry’s supply not only the complete individual monitor systems for each band, and audience PA but usually their backline as well! Some have said that that Robert should move his bed into TC3!

Top Of The Pops continues it’s weekly format and the live bands are still supplied with monitor systems and backline by our good-selves. ITV chart show CD:UK is also still being supplied backline by John Henry’s for it’s Saturday morning slot.

Our resident Barbican contact Tark Bates has had a very busy summer and now that Autumn is here the workload hasn't let up. The recent Brazilian and Argentinian Festivals were both supplied backline from John Henry’s so if Latin is your trip, then keep and eye on goings on down in EC1. For the latest listings visit: www.barbican.org.uk

Leading out of percussion heavy exploits in EC1, Tark Bates headed straight into the London Jazz Festival, featuring full backline supply to up to 4 venues each day for 9 days! Starting the same day as the MTV Europe Music Awards left, meant that our Backline Manager Richard Hamilton and the rest of the backline crew had almost nothing left in the warehouse. Time to get the brooms out guys and have a sweep up!

Unless you were on Mars you over the last couple of weeks you wont not have noticed or heard Sade's return to the scene. John Henry's supplied all her backline as well as a monitor system. The intensive schedule was co-ordinated by our Special Projects Manager, Pepin Clout.

Well a busy autumn for us all and US amp giants Mesa Boogie have certainly won the "Get our amps on every major tour award". Helloween, recording down there in Tenerife have decided that Triple Rectifiers are the biz, as have Ash, who are just embarking on a UK tour. Irish rockers Cyclefly recording their new album have gone through Dual Rectifier heads and bass gear, as nothing else will do do according to guitarist Ciaran. Morcheeba have also taken to the way of Boogie by taking out the new Nomad heads and the rotary Revolver cabinet whilst JJ72, Elkie Brooks, Wishbone, Ash, My Vitriol and Queen Adreena have all chosen the amps from Petaluma, CA. And just as we thought that was that, ex. Judas Priest singer Rob Halford came along and decided that it must be Boogie to fill up his stage.......phew!

While you're out on tour your equipment needs casing right? Even when your Strat is 12 foot high! Hank Marvin knew the value of John Henry ’s Flightcases so asked us to protect his very special stage prop! Our world renowned cases can now be made from a variety of materials to suit weight requirments and our range of wood laminates and plastics can be colour matched to your own taste. Simply tell us what colour you want it, and it’ll be done. Oh,and in case(!) that's not enough, we now offer screen printing of your company / band logo. Supply us the artwork and for a small set-up charge, you ’ll be the envy of other crews as you load-in.

The touring season is well under way with equipment out with the following artists to name a few: LA rockers Queens Of The Stone Age ,supported by Snake River Conspiracy and double-headliners Monster Magnet. Fastball are back treading the boards as was Taj Mahal recently, also appearing on the Later show. Our Staging Department is looking pretty empty because Tom Jones and Michael Ball have both got our unique system on the road, as did Paul Weller at his recent Earls Court gig. Elton John had what was left as he pipped Bon Jovi to the post by playing the last gig inside Wembley Stadium.