Hand Held Audio, specialists in wireless and in-ear technology, have recently sold a substantial radio system to the popular Irish boy band Westlife. Westlife are currently on their latest sell-out tour in the UK and Europe to promote their latest album, World of Our Own.

The system comprises six Shure SM58 UHF Premier Series microphones, six Sony Freedom headset systems for the numbers that include a dance routine, and six Shure PSM 700 in-ear monitor systems. The SM58s, apart from being favourites of the engineers, Chris "Privett" Hedge at FoH and John "Grubby" Callis on monitors, (John claims he wouldn't leave home without them), were also chosen because the capsules work very well for the band. They decided to go with the Sony headsets because they are both light, compact and comfortable, and the Shure PSM700 in-ear systems have a proven track record on tour. Nick Bruce-Smith of Handheld Audio who continues to look after the radio licensing for all of Westlife's shows also pointed out that the multi-frequency capacity of the PSM700 makes it a far more flexible system when touring abroad, where being restricted to just one frequency could prove extremely limiting.

When asked why the band chose to buy the system outright, John's answer was straightforward. "The boys work constantly all year round,' he said. "Even when they're not out on tour, they're doing promotional work, so we needed a solid, reliable system that we can take anywhere, and it just made sense to buy it rather than continue renting. We have a great relationship with Handheld - I've known Nick for years - and I have 100% faith in their back-up and service, and on the rare occasions we have a problem, it's sorted out straightaway. They're a great company and I wouldn't dream of going anywhere else."

Hand Held Audio, specialists in wireless and in-ear technology, supplied a substantial radio system for The Planets performance at the Classical BRIT Awards which took place in London's Royal Albert Hall on 23rd May. The young classically-trained eight-piece band is currently taking the classical world by storm with their fusion of classical and pop music and has recently spent an impressive twelve weeks at the top of the classical charts with their first album, Classical Graffiti.

The gala evening proved to be a spectacular occasion with performances from the world's best-selling classical artist, Andrea Bocelli who was honoured with the Outstanding Contribution to Music Award, as well as from Britain's own favourite tenor, Russell Watson, recently knocked from the number one spot by The Planets. Other performers included the OperaBabes, first discovered busking in Covent Garden a year ago, who will be singing for the World Cup finals in a few weeks, and the brilliant young violinist, Chloe Hanslip who at thirteen is already recognised as one of the world's greatest talents in her field.

The Planets performed a specially arranged piece for the show from their album. The complement of radio and in-ear systems from Hand Held comprised four Shure UHF guitar systems and four Shure UHF instrument systems with specialist hand-made microphone capsules from Accusound plus six Shure PSM 600 and two Shure P6HW hard-wire in-ear systems. Hand Held has also supplied each musician with custom ear-pieces as part of the monitoring system. Hand Held's Nick Bruce-Smith said, "The system we supplied for the Classical Brits is more or less the standard system used by the band for all of their shows, including their forthcoming appearance at the Queen's Golden Jubilee celebrations at Party at the Palace. What's unusual about it from our point of view is the sheer amount of radio gear they are using. The Planets are very definitely part of the new generation of young classical musicians who are willing to embrace technology and work with it to give their acts a more contemporary feel. Five or six years ago one would not have dreamed of strapping a radio mic onto a Stradivarius - in fact purists might still object - but these days it's becoming more and more accepted within the classical environment, and we're delighted to be working with artists who take that approach."

Lars Brogaard and David Bryson, production manager and wireless guru respectively, have asked Hand Held Audio to organise the licensing of their extensive radio systems for the forthcoming Rod Stewart UK tour. The tour requires 27 clear frequencies, split between 13 in ear systems, 6 backline systems for guitars and 8 radio mics for vocals and brass.

Fortunately the AKG in ear systems & radio mics and the Samson guitar systems all have frequency agility. Without that capability it would be impossible to get the same equipment onto clear channels in venues as diverse as Hyde Park, The Manchester Evening News Arena, Glastonbury Festival and Stormont Castle in Belfast.

The initial reaction to the Jubilee concerts on the 1st and 3rd of June is heartening for Hand Held Audio, Britannia Row and the whole of the production team.

Quite apart from the royal seal of approval from the stage when Prince Charles made special mention of the superb sound quality, individual reports from people who were either in the grounds of Buckingham Palace or The Mall all praise the sound. Banks of PA were set up in the Mall and immediate surrounding area of the palace gardens and fed with the front of house mix from the concert inside.

It was apparent from the TV broadcast that the production team did a great job in the face of lightning quick stage changes and the unpredictability of some of the presenters!