The government of Antigua and Barbuda says it plans to invest in a modern sound system for major festivals and conferences, after concerns that the current equipment does not meet international standards.
Prime Minister Gaston Browne confirmed the plan following a discussion on Saturday with Stonewall Sound owner Whitney Williams about improving audio production at national events.
Mr Browne said production professionals had repeatedly advised that the sound infrastructure used at government events was outdated and inadequate for international performers.
In February, the government announced plans to purchase a national sound and lighting system to support major events. Officials said the aim was not to compete with private promoters, but to improve the experience for residents and visitors.
“We have been advised that if the government invests in certain aspects of a system, international sound teams won’t need to bring in everything and charge premium rates,” Mr Browne said. “It is more cost-effective for the government to own at least part of a system.”
A post-production report following last year’s One Nation Festival described the front-of-house speaker system as outdated and noted shortages of audio and power cables. It also raised concerns about professionalism among some local crew members.
Mr Williams said he had no objection to the government purchasing equipment, but questioned what should be bought and the cost involved.
He said he had recently spent tens of thousands of US dollars on professional equipment, including two Yamaha DM7 mixing boards costing $36,000 each and several stage boxes and amplifiers, but still could not meet all the technical requirements listed by international artists.
Two Jamaican audio engineers who joined the discussion also highlighted technical issues with the system used at the festival, including problems with speaker alignment.
By the end of the discussion, Mr Williams agreed in principle to a partnership in which the government would invest in a new system, with costs gradually recovered through reduced fees paid to Stonewall for government events.
Mr Browne said Mr Williams and his brother would be the preferred operators of any new system, and instructed Creative Industries Minister Daryll Matthew to continue negotiations towards a formal agreement.
No final decision has been made on the type of system or its cost, with technical consultations expected to guide the procurement process.
The prime minister also announced two scholarships from the Prime Minister’s Scholarship Fund for Antiguans to study sound engineering and said the government plans to propose removing import duties on musical instruments to make them more affordable.
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Lard! Gaston mold in all the government building that workers a strike and work half day, even hospital and clinics are lacking supplies and all you Gaston can do as a big man a go buy hi-fi speaker system to play arshiss music? Come on we need someone with maturity to run this country, I was even to bemused by Gaston some where in willikies on a microphone a sing some thing and there gyrating himself, the ALP that papa bird once head has become like a ANUS which is a loud TRUMPET blown by Gaston, a fart is loud and annoying and smells terrible.
So very many things in Antigua do not meet international standards and yet a sounds system comes before the health of local people, owed wages, pensioners awaiting their pensions, the privilege of having running water, the roads, the plight of farmers and animal welfare. But hey ho Antigua needs sound system!!! Wtf!
This sound system investment is NOT a priority at present. Tarl! Unless tte Prime Minister is going to use his own vast funds for these festivals in the future?
Many Antigua taxpayers would prefer that this money was ring fenced to pay the outstanding salaries to our hardworking teachers and educators.
He enjoys Antiguans dancing away their troubles and “living for the weekends”, instead of investing in their futures…
I had to sacrifice 3-4 years of carousing to become a self made – and efficient – businessman; and now today me ah dance and prance 😉
Yep..keep the people dumb, and you will rule them forever. 😂.
Drinking and smoking weed, while listening to some of these slack lyrics,is not a flex GB..promoting such things as a leader just tells you why we are where we are today.
Where are the serious people in Antigua?
Ensure that the workplace health standards are up to par such that workers do not have to consistently take action because of molds. Entertainment is once in a blue moon. Workers have to sit in office with fungus and more every day.
I can recall the many times Stonewall got on radio crying to the government for monies owed. Perhaps if they were paid promptly, they would be able to replace those 14yrs old speakers to which the Jamaica engineer refers.
The public for years have been crying out every carnival for better sounds but it took some “Gassy dread” and some “One nation” concert to finally realize better needs to be done?
I await this sound system and hope they can work with Stonewall to improve the sound but as usual, I remain skeptical of the real intention of this move as it may turn out to be yet another self enrichment project for someone. I wouldn’t be surprised either if one of those Jamaicans is recruited here to run his system.
@Sussanah Anderson 💯💯💯to your comment. This arrogant prick of a PM needs to be voted out of office along with this band of blouse and skirt wearing men.
Entertainment and dope to keep numbing, dimming and dumbing the youths brains. It’s a shame but as the saying goes, ebry day de bucket go a well, one day de rusty bottom ah go drop out.
Did he cut a deal with Gramps Morgan for the Gassy Dread AI fake singing release of a recording?
Gaston is arrogance personified and keep putting the things in place to enhance a gangsters and pimpers paradise.
So I say thank you for the music for giving it to me….
How about
1 An international standard crime lab.
2 international standard Water supply
3 international standard roads
4 international standard health care
5 international standard of governance
6 international standard prison
7 Internatiinal standard elderly care
8 international standard police Commissioner.
9 international standard DPP
10 international standard waste disposal systems.
Gocousing on entertainment means something is not right with our MPs.