The sun is shining and that means we are approaching Summer Silly Season, which can only mean one thing -  Fesitvals, Festivals and more Festivals.  As Wales' premier provider for Backline Hire (Guitars, Drums etc) and a world class stage management service which covers the whole of Wales and UK, we are very privileged to be part of the great summer festival tradition, and to see some amazing talent up close.  So over the next few months you can find us working at:

Enjoy Festival - After last year's success, Parc Y Scarlets will host another fun filled day of music and it looks like its going to be a scorcher!  With Alexandra Burke headlining, we'll make sure to be wearing velvet gloves to press play on her backing track! Seriously, The Saturdays were a highlight at this event last year and we are sure that the crowd will have a great time, we'll make sure that the artists are calm and well looked after to give a great show.  For more details click here.

OsFest - If you are looking for a wide variety of music and a weekend away for the Jubiliee weekend, then you need to get to Oswestry, North Wales from the 1st-3rd June.  An amazing line up which includes Razorlight, Benjamin Francis Leftwich, Hard-Fi, Delilah and Dappy. We are really excited for this and we are taking our backline gear and our stage managing crew to North Wales, hopefully Fly will be able to keep Dappy under control! For more details click here

Hay Festival - For a completely different type of festival, The Sound Castle delivers a vibrant and contemporary line up set in the garden of Hay Castle. From the 31st May - 10th June 2012 this eclectic array of artists range from funk to gospal and folk to jazz. There is nothing like the Hay Festival and the Sound Castle is just a part of this massive event and that is again why Ev-entz are proud to be part of its continued success and development.  For more details click here

Pontys Big Weekend - We close July in the heart of the South Wales Valleys in Pontypridd which sees another fantastic line up headed by Jessie J, Olly Murs and Alfie Boe.  As with all our fesitvals we will be providing percussion equipment and backline hire as well as managing the stage on behalf of the promoters.  For more details click here

So that is our summer all planned out, we hope to see you on our travels and we'll be sure to bring you all the highlights and backstage action!

Following some really busy weeks and weekends travelling the country it was great this week to have a visitor to our Music Store in Newport from our old friend Chad Smith.

We gave Chad the grand tour which included Austin's Brass Instrument Repair, Fly's Percussion Hire Department, Mike's Musical Instrument Sales section and Chad was really impressed with our recently expanded Brass section, he likes nothing better than a blow on the Trumpet when he's not playing the Drums. He spent some time talking to Simon Brittlebank who seems to be always on tour with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales with our Orchestral Stage Management Services and finally Chad had the pleasure of visiting the inner sanctum of Ev-entz which is Adrian's office.  As you can see from the photo below he seemed to like this place the best and this was the only place where he could sit down, relax and have a cup of coffee.

Chad had fun playing with some of our new stock and so we thought we would share with you some of his favourites.

       Peal Masters Premium Shellpack

        Yamaha YTR4335GCN Trumpet

        Pearl PBC507  - Primero Box Cajon

        Sabian XS20 20" Clash Cymbals

So these were Chad's favourites following his recent visit.  Click on any of the above images to get more information on that particular item.

 Why not spend some of the Easter holidays having a look around our great website

             For now, from everyone at Ev-entz and Chad:

Are you a mobile DJ, Artist or Band in South Wales trying to make the perfect sound with your equipment?  Are you looking to upgrade your equipment to play larger venues but just don't know what to get?

The Internet is a great tool and equipment now can be so cheap to buy, but is it going to give you what you need?  There are many great websites and forums out there giving some great advice, but there is nothing like chatting and meeting with people who have been there, know exactly what you are trying to achieve and happy and willing to provide you with options to suit your budget.  If that is what you are looking for, then you need to come and speak to Ev-entz in South Wales for all your Pro Audio needs.

We've provided Pro Audio equipment for all sorts of venues and occasions. Many top bands and artists have performed using our Pro Audio Hire equipment including The Wanted, Super Furry Animals, The Saturdays and Wynne Evans plus many more.

We can provide you with a range of PA equipment suitable for your needs and will provide help and support for setting it up in the best way, with sound advice for storage, maintenance and transportation.

So what are you waiting for, give us a call today or pop into our store in Newport, South Wales for some Pro Audio gear including mixers, powered speakers and amplifiers for your band or yourself.

We've recently added a great selection of Proel Mixers to our range and these are proving really popular for sound, price and providing excellent value for money throughout the range.  

Check them out here.

Check out our full Pro Audio section here.

We look forward to making you sound great.

Like so many people we are very excited about the release of the film Hunky Dory in cinemas on March 2nd across the UK.

From the producer of Billy Elliot and set in the heat of the summer of 1976 in Swansea, comes this funny, coming of age film featuring songs from artists such as David Bowie, The Beach Boys, Simon and Garfunkel and the Electric Light Orchestra. Starring Minnie Driver who plays Vivienne, a feisty and keen drama teacher she works tirelessly through the sweltering heat for her pupils to perform an end of year musical version of Shakespeare's The Tempest using hits from the time to bring the production to life.

So why are Ev-entz so excited about the launch of this film?   Well, as this is a musical production and set in South Wales, the production company just had to call on us to provide all the orchestral percussion equipment that you will see. So as well as starring this young cast, we also play a starring role to make some great tracks come alive once again.  High School Musical, Welsh Style!  So grab your ticket and large pop corn and head to your local cinema.  For now check out the trailer for Hunky Dory.

We are approaching a really important time in the Brass Band calendar in the UK, as bands from all sections prepare to compete in the Regional Championships organised by Kapitol Promotions.  All bands and condutors will be working harder than ever to give the performances of their lives on difficult set test piece, in order to beat their local rivals and qualify to represent their Area in the National Finals later in the year.

Ev-entz will be travelling the length of the UK to cover 5 of the Regional competitions.  We will be attending the Scottish, Midlands and West of England Area on the 10th & 11th of March, and the Welsh and the London & Southern Counties Area on the 17th & 18th March.  We will be providing percussion and stage set-up support for bands at these venues.  The percussion that will be provided at the various venues is listed below:

Midlands Bedworth Hall

5 Timpani (32,30,28,25,22.5) & Stool

36” Bass Drum on Cradle

Xylophone – 4 octave 

Glockenspiel on ‘X’ Stand

Tubular Bells

Vibraphone

Concert Snare Drum & Stand

Clash Cymbals 20” & Stand

Tam Tam 32” & Stand

Drum Kit comprising : 1 x Bass Drum & pedal, 1 x Snare Drum & stand, 1 x Hi-Hat, 1 x Ride, 2 x Crash Cymbs, 2 x Mounted Toms, 1 x floor tom (attached to cymbal stand) 1 x drum throne.

Tom Toms  10” & 12” & stand

Please note that NO sticks / beaters are provided

Midlands College

3 Timpani (30,28,25) & Stool

36” Bass Drum on ‘X’ type stand

Xylophone – 3.5 octave

Glockenspiel on ‘X’ Stand

Concert Snare Drum & Stand

Clash Cymbals 18” & Stand

Drum Kit comprising : 1 x Bass Drum & pedal, 1 x Snare Drum & stand, 1 x Hi-Hat, 1 x Ride, 2 x Crash Cymbs, 2 x Mounted Toms, 1 x floor tom, 1 x drum throne.

Please note that NO sticks / beaters are provided

West of England Forum

5 Timpani (32,30,28,28,25) & Stool

36” Bass Drum on Cradle

Xylophone – 4 octave

Glockenspiel on ‘X’ Stand

Tubular Bells 

Vibraphone 

Concert Snare Drum & Stand

Clash Cymbals 20” & Stand

Tam Tam 32” & Stand

Drum Kit consisting of: 1 x Bass Drum & pedal, 1 x Snare Drum & stand, 1 x Hi-Hat, 1 x Ride, 2 x Crash Cymbs, **2 x Mounted Toms (10” & 12”) , 1 x floor tom (14”), 1 x drum throne.

**Tom Toms –  the drumkit toms (10” & 12”) can be mounted on a stand if required.

Please note that NO sticks / beaters are provided

West of England Arena

2  Timpani (29,26) & Stool

Bass Drum – 36” Bass Drum on ‘x’ type stand

Xylophone – 3.5 octave

Glockenspiel on ‘X’ Stand

Concert Snare Drum & Stand 

Clash Cymbals 18” & Stand

Drum Kit comprising : 1 x Bass Drum & pedal, 1 x Snare Drum & stand, 1 x Hi-Hat, 1 x Ride, 2 x Crash Cymbs, 2 x Mounted Toms, 1 x floor tom (attached to cymbal stand) 1 x drum throne.

Please note that NO sticks / beaters are provided

Scotland Area

5 Timpani (32,30,28,25,22.5) & Stool

Bass Drum on Cradle

Xylophone

Glockenspiel on ‘X’ Stand

Tubular Bells

Vibraphone

Concert Snare Drum & Stand

Clash Cymbals 20” & Stand

Tam Tam 36” & Stand

Drum Kit – comprising : 1 x Bass Drum & pedal, 1 x Snare Drum & stand, 1 x Hi-Hat, 1 x Ride, 2 x Crash Cymbs, 2 x Mounted Toms, 1 x floor tom (attached to cymbal stand) 1 x drum throne.

Tenor Drum & Stand

Tambourine on stand

Tambourine hand held

Bongos & Stand

Wood Block & Stand

Triangle & Stand

2 x Tom Toms & stand

Please note that NO sticks / beaters are provided

London Area

Sat 17^th &  Sun 18^th Theatre

5 Timpani (32,30,28,25,22.5) & Stool

36” Bass Drum on Cradle

Xylophone 

Glockenspiel on ‘X’ Stand

Tubular Bells

Vibraphone

Concert Snare Drum & Stand

Clash Cymbals 20” & Stand

Tam Tam 36” & Stand

Drum Kit consisting of: 1 x Bass Drum & pedal, 1 x Snare Drum & stand, 1 x Hi-Hat, 1 x Ride, 2 x Crash Cymbs, 2 x Mounted Toms (10” & 12”) , 1 x floor tom (14”), 1 x drum throne.

2 x Tom Toms & stand

Please note that NO sticks / beaters are provided

Sun 18^th Sport Hall

3 Timpani (30,28,25) & Stool

36” Bass Drum on ‘X’ type stand

Xylophone 

Glockenspiel on ‘X’ Stand

Tubular Bells 

Concert Snare Drum & Stand

Clash Cymbals 18” & Stand

Drum Kit comprising : 1 x Bass Drum & pedal, 1 x Snare Drum & stand, 1 x Hi-Hat, 1 x Ride, 2 x Crash Cymbs, 2 x Mounted Toms, 1 x floor tom, 1 x drum throne.

Please note that NO sticks / beaters are provided

Wales Area

5 Timpani (32,30,28,28,25) & Stool

36”  Bass Drum on Cradle

Xylophone – 3.5 Octave

Glockenspiel on ‘X’ Stand

Tubular Bells 

Vibraphone 

Concert Snare Drum & Stand

Clash Cymbals 20” & Stand

Tam Tam 32” & Stand

Drum Kit comprising : 1 x Bass Drum & pedal, 1 x Snare Drum & stand, 1 x Hi-Hat, 1 x Ride, 2 x Crash Cymbs, 2 x Mounted Toms, 1 x floor tom (attached to cymbal stand) 1 x drum throne.

Tenor Drum & Stand

Tambourine on stand

Tambourine hand held

Bongos & Stand

Wood Block & Stand

Floor Tom

Triangle & Stand

2 x Tom Toms & stand

Please note that NO sticks / beaters are provided

If you have any specific queries with regards to any of the equipment provided, please feel free to give us a call on 01633 250062 or send us a message via our Facebook Page

Good luck to all bands and conductors for all the hard work that is to come over the next few weeks.

Ev-entz are getting ready for another road trip and we will once again be taking our percussion trade stand to Butlins Mineworkers Brass Band Festival this weekend, 21st and 22nd January.  As always, we will try and bring as much top quality drums, percussion and accessories with us from top brands such a Majestic, Premier, Pearl, Sabian and Yamaha to name just a few.

Our team will be there to answer your questions, and we will have everything on hand for bands as they prepare for the up and coming Regional competition test pieces. We will have exclusive trade stand deals available on the weekend, so make sure you come and chat with Adrian and Geraint, as well as Austin who will be working with Hercules Music Stands for the weekend.

If you need us to bring anything in particular this weekend, feel free to give us a call on 01633 250062 or email office@ev-entz.co.uk and we will do our very best to bring it with us.

Even if the results don't go your way on the weekend, you can rely on Ev-entz not to let you down and to give you something to smile about.

We look forward to speaking to old and new friends and wish all the competing bands the best of luck for a great performance.

As we are preparing and looking forward to another busy year at Ev-entz, we enjoyed reviewing the Top 10 Welsh Festivals in 2012 on the Visit Wales Blog.  Many of these we have been involved with for many years and a few have become really popular in recent years.  Hopefully not many of you are suffering from the January blues but if you are, this will help you plan and get excited for what 2012 has to offer.  

Check out Visit Wales website for Top 10 Festivals not to miss in 2012

Our friends Gareth Ritter and Dean Evans are looking for new members for the Ebbw Valley Brass Band, please support them.

Find out more from their feature in the South Wales Argus

Our ongoing relationship with both Cardiff Univeristy and The Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama has seen us recently supply both these prestige education facilities with a range of percussion that will ensure that their music students will sound great in their many performances this year.

Cardiff Univeristy chose the excellent Majestic range available from Ev-entz when they decided to upgrade their existing percussion equipment.  We were delighted to provide them with Majestic Timpani and a Majestic Xylophone as well as stands and additional equipment.

We've loved being involved in the set-up and provision of going operational support for the Dora Stoutzker Hall over the past few months.  As part of their ongoing upgrade programme we have also had the pleasure to provide orchestral percussion equipment and stands.

Thanks to both of these educational organisations, your business in much appreciated and Ev-entz are so pleased to be supporting music education at all levels, and ensuring that students in Wales receive the best.  We look forward to witnessing your musical journey and look forward to working with you some day as professional musicians.

Day 10 Deal

Pearl Vision Birch Red Wine Black Hardware Drum kit with Meinl MCS Cymbal Pack