John Henry’s

Live Entertainment Equipment Rental and Production Servicesjohnhenrys.com

John Henry's is a family-run London-based entertainment services company, founded 1976, supplying audio, backline, staging rental, rehearsal studios, production, crew, transport and storage to touring artists, UK broadcast television and radio, festivals, film productions and corporate events from a 60,000 sq.ft facility.

Company typePrivate
Founded1976
HeadquartersLondon, United Kingdom
Headcount51–100
GTM typeB2B
OfferingServices

What John Henry’s does

John Henry's is a family-run British entertainment services company established in 1976 and headquartered in a 60,000 sq.ft facility at 16-24 Brewery Road, London N7 9NH. The company operates a one-stop-shop model centered on three integrated rental pillars — Audio (mixing consoles, wireless microphones, PA and monitor systems, RF and splitter systems), Backline (200+ amplifier models, 300+ guitars, 1,000+ drums, keyboards, pianos and percussion) and Staging (rolling risers, tiered staging, draping, custom manufacture) — complemented by seven on-site rehearsal studios, full production and broadcast services, crewing, transport and storage. Customers span international touring artists, UK broadcast television and radio (Later...with Jools, The Jonathan Ross Show, The Graham Norton Show, The One Show, BBC Radio), major music festivals (Glastonbury, Reading & Leeds, British Summertime Hyde Park), film productions (Bohemian Rhapsody, Rocketman, Yesterday) and corporate and charity events.

The underlying operating model combines capital-intensive inventory with a labor pool of 40+ core staff and an extended freelance engineer and technician network, enabling delivery of complete technical production from site visits and planning through to load-out. Revenue is generated primarily through quote-based equipment rental, project-based production services, recurring rehearsal studio bookings, and Pro Shop retail sales (including spares and used equipment via Reverb). Distribution is direct via phone, email, walk-in and on-site delivery, with marketing driven by industry reputation and word-of-mouth rather than digital campaigns.

Commercial differentiation rests on the claimed largest backline inventory in Europe, 48 years of industry relationships, a 2019 BAFTA award for broadcast audio and four BAFTA nominations, and long-tenured anchor contracts with flagship UK broadcast and festival properties. The company is independently owned under CEO Johnny Henry, with no disclosed external investment, M&A activity or parent company.

John Henry’s firmographics

Firmographics

Name: John Henry’s
Legal name: John Henry's Ltd.
Website: https://johnhenrys.com
Company type: Private
Founded year: 1976
Operating status: Operating
Headcount range: 51–100 employees
Short description: John Henry's is a family-run London-based entertainment services company, founded 1976, supplying audio, backline, staging rental, rehearsal studios, production, crew, transport and storage to touring artists, UK broadcast television and radio, festivals, film productions and corporate events from a 60,000 sq.ft facility.
Ownership category
akta.pro rank

John Henry’s industry classification

Industry

Product category: Live Entertainment Equipment Rental and Production Services
SIC: Services-Allied To Motion Picture Production (7819), Services-Miscellaneous Equipment Rental & Leasing (7350)
akta.pro primary industry: Instrument Rental & Backline Services (MPAIAJAI)
akta.pro secondary industries: Backline & Musical Instrument Rentals (Concert/Performance Support) (THAHAEAL), Touring & Event Logistics (Trucking, Freight, Backline, Crew) (MPAGAAAH), Audio & Communications Equipment Rental (MPADAFAC), Crew & Labor Services (Production Staff, Unions, Payroll) (MPADAFAA), Touring Logistics & Crew Services (Backline, Transport, Staffing) (MPAIAFAG), Production Management & Studio Support Services (Studio Managers, Techs) (MPAIAHAO), Pro Audio & Recording Equipment Retail (MI-adjacent) (CRALAEAC)

Keywords

Live event production services
Audio equipment rental
Backline equipment rental
Staging equipment rental
Rehearsal studio services

Where John Henry’s is headquartered

Location

Headquarters

HQ city: London
HQ country: United Kingdom
HQ region: Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

John Henry’s business model

Business model

GTM type: B2B
Offering type: Services
Cost components: Personnel, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

Equipment Rental: Rental of audio, backline, staging equipment with flexible inventory for live events, touring, television and radio productions
Pro Shop Sales: Sales of accessories, spares, production supplies including drumheads, strings, cables, pedals, drumsticks, custom equipment and flightcases
Production Services: Site visits, planning, design, crewing, transportation and full technical production management for live concerts, TV, radio, conferences and streaming
Rehearsal Studios: Hire of 7 professional rehearsal studios in central London with equipment packages
Storage Services: Secure storage of band and production equipment at central London facility

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels1 record

John Henry’s product offering

Product offering

Core offering

John Henry's provides professional audio, backline, and staging equipment rental alongside seven rehearsal studios, full production services for live concerts, television, radio, and film, crew supply, transport, and secure storage. The company also operates an on-site Pro Shop retail outlet supplying accessories, spares, and drumheads to production professionals, touring artists, and event companies.

Product overview

John Henry's is a family-run British entertainment industry services company (established 1976) offering a comprehensive one-stop-shop for live entertainment production. The portfolio consists of interconnected rental services centered around three core pillars: Audio Equipment Rental (mixing consoles, microphones, PA/monitoring systems, DJ equipment), Backline Equipment Rental (200+ amplifier models, 300+ guitars, 1000+ drums, keyboards, pianos, percussion), and Staging Equipment Rental (rolling risers, tiered staging, custom manufacture). These rental services are complemented by seven Rehearsal Studios with professional equipment installed, Production Services (site visits, planning, design, lighting, AV), Broadcast Services (BAFTA-nominated audio provision for TV/radio), Crewing Services, Transport, and Storage. The Pro Shop provides retail accessories and spares including the UK's largest drumhead selection. All services can be packaged together or hired individually, with the company's 60,000 sq ft central London facility enabling complete production support from rehearsal through to delivery.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

Audio Equipment Rental Professional audio equipment hire for touring, TV, radio, festivals, and live events, including mixing consoles, wireless microphones, in-ear monitors, PA systems, monitor systems, DJ equipment, recording systems, playback systems, splitter systems, and power distribution.
Backline Equipment Rental Comprehensive backline hire inventory described as the largest in Europe, including over 200 amplifier models, 300+ guitars, 1,000+ drums, keyboards, synthesizers, organs, pianos, cymbals, percussion, strings, and music stands for touring artists, concerts, TV, and recordings.
Staging Equipment Rental Staging hire and custom manufacture including rolling risers, tiered staging, flooring, draping, tables, platforms, acoustic screens, dance mirrors, set design, flats, and custom-built solutions for live events and touring.
Rehearsal Studios Seven first-class rehearsal studios in central London (sizes 406 to 2,178 sq ft) equipped with Yamaha M7CL and LS9 mixing consoles, Funktion One and HK Audio side fills, monitor wedges, microphones, and DI systems, suitable for music, theatre, and dance.
Production Services Full production services for live concerts, television, radio shows, showcases, launch events, conferences, and live streaming, including site visits, planning, PA systems, monitor systems, stage design, lighting, AV, crewing, and transportation.
Broadcast Services Audio provision for high-profile TV and radio productions including floor sound, audience PA, presenter and performer monitoring, microphone and line systems, radio systems, frequency management, broadcast feed, and splitter systems, delivered by a BAFTA-nominated sound team.
Crewing Services Supply of professional technicians and crew for one-off shows or tour packages, including in-house team members and JHL-trained freelance engineers who regularly tour with major international bands.
The Pro Shop On-site retail showroom offering production spares (batteries, tapes, flightcases), guitar spares (strings, plectra, capos, pedals, stands), drum spares (drumheads, sticks, hardware, cases), and miscellaneous accessories including microphones, DI boxes, and cabling, plus a Reverb store for used equipment.
Transport Services Fleet of vehicles and drivers for delivery and event support, ranging from long wheelbase vans to artic trucks, with advice on transport requirements and timely delivery of equipment.
Storage Services Secure storage of band and production equipment at the central London facility, including individual steel panelled storage units for short and long-term let.
Lighting and AV Services Lighting design and AV services for events including Q&A sessions, video presentations, launch events, panel discussions, showcases, and concert performances, catering to all budgets and requirements.
Piano Hire Hire of acoustic and digital concert pianos, baby grands, uprights, and piano shells including Yamaha C7 MKII, Yamaha S6 SH, Roland V-Piano Grand, and Yamaha Avant Grand series, with full delivery, installation, and tuning services.
Amplification Hire Amplifier, combo, and cabinet rental including vintage and latest models from over 40 manufacturers such as Fender, Marshall, Vox, Mesa Boogie, Orange, Hiwatt, Kemper, and Laney.
Dance Mirrors Portable glassless dance mirrors in 6' x 4' or 8' x 4' sizes from Alvas, shatterproof and lightweight with rolling frame options, suitable for studios, gyms, theatres, schools, and production/touring.

Quantifiable outcome

4 BAFTA nominations with 2019 award win for broadcast audio services
+1 more outcomes

Companies that use John Henry’s

Customer profile

Named customers28 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

John Henry’s technology and API

Technology

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API: No
API docs
API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

John Henry’s partnerships and signals

Strategic signal

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

C2C (Country to Country)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary contractors providing backline and audio RF & control packages for headliners, rolling risers at O2 London and large backline package for satellite stages. Festival runs at O2 London, SSE Hydro Glasgow, 3 Arena Dublin with expansions to Amsterdam and Berlin.
Latitude FestivalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary contractors of backline, DJ equipment and rolling risers for Latitude in Henham Park, Suffolk.
Reading & Leeds FestivalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLargest festival event of the year as primary backline, DJ equipment and rolling riser providers for Reading and Leeds festivals on August bank holiday weekend.
Proms in the Park / BBC Radio 2 LivecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary contractors providing rolling risers, backline and instrument RF in Hyde Park for Proms in the Park and BBC Radio 2 Live events.
British Summertime Hyde ParkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupplying rolling risers and backline packages for British Summertime festival in Hyde Park.
Capital Radio (Global)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual backline, DJ Equipment and technicians for Capital Radio Summertime Ball and Jingle Bell Ball events at O2 London. Also provides audio, backline and staging package for Sundowner sessions on Leicester Square rooftop.
BBCcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing partnership for BBC Radio sessions at Maida Vale Studios, Outside Broadcast productions, 500 Words final, and backstage acoustic performances at Glastonbury.
ITV (Jonathan Ross Show)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary contractors providing Floor Sound, Monitors, Backline, Staging and technical support since show's inception in 2001, originally on BBC as Friday Night with Jonathan Ross, relocated to ITV in 2011.
RemominorOthersJohn Henry's Pro Shop carries the UK's largest selection of drumheads under one roof and serves as a Remo and Evans artist centre.
EvansminorOthersJohn Henry's Pro Shop serves as an Evans artist centre alongside Remo.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

John Henry’s competitors and assessment

Company assessment

Direct peers

Neg Earth Lights: UK-based lighting and rigging rental company for concert touring, festivals and live events — comparable as a peer equipment rental company serving the same UK touring and festival market with overlapping client base.
PRG (Production Resource Group): Global leader in entertainment production services offering audio, video, lighting, rigging and staging for live events, concerts, broadcast and film — directly comparable in comprehensive equipment rental and crewed production services.
Adlib Audio Solutions: UK-based audio, lighting, video and staging rental and crew provider serving concerts, tours and festivals — directly comparable in audio equipment hire and touring production services with similar UK/European scope.
Entec Sound & Light: UK rental company specializing in audio, lighting, video and rigging for live events, concerts and theatre — directly comparable in equipment rental services and crewed production for mid-to-large scale UK events.
SSE Audio Group: UK-based pro audio rental, sales and installation business serving live events, touring and broadcast — comparable in audio equipment hire, crewed event support and long-standing UK touring relationships.
Major Tom Industries: European provider of audio, backline and event production services based in the UK — directly comparable in backline rental, touring crew and full production support for international artists.
Britannia Row Productions: UK-based live audio rental and production company with touring heritage — directly comparable in PA hire, monitor systems, audio crew and large-scale concert production services.

Broad incumbents

Presentation Services Limited (PSL): Larger UK/European AV and event services provider serving corporate, exhibition and broadcast clients — comparable in the AV/production services overlap but with a broader corporate-event focus rather than John Henry's entertainment touring specialization.

Emerging players

Siyan Studios: Boutique London-based rehearsal studios with backline and production services — comparable in the rehearsal studio and small-scale backline rental niche but with a much smaller fleet than John Henry's.

Regional players

Liteup Group: UK-based event production and hire company specializing in audio, lighting, staging and AV — comparable as a UK rental and staging peer serving similar mid-market concerts, festivals and corporate events.

Market position

Strengths1 record

Weaknesses1 record

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

John Henry’s financial estimates

Financial estimate

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

John Henry’s leadership team

Management profile

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

John Henry’s funding detail

Funding detail

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

John Henry’s M&A and investment

M&A and investment

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about John Henry’s

What does John Henry’s do?

Is John Henry’s a public or private company?

John Henry’s is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.

When was John Henry’s founded?

John Henry’s was founded in 1976. It employs 51 to 100 people.

Where is John Henry’s based?

John Henry’s is headquartered in London, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.

How does John Henry’s make money?

Five revenue lines are on record. Equipment Rental is the primary driver. The others are pro Shop Sales, production Services, rehearsal Studios and storage Services.

Who are John Henry’s's main competitors?

Direct peers on record are Neg Earth Lights, PRG (Production Resource Group), Adlib Audio Solutions, Entec Sound & Light, SSE Audio Group, Major Tom Industries and Britannia Row Productions. Presentation Services Limited (PSL) is listed as a broad incumbent. Siyan Studios is listed as an emerging player. Liteup Group is listed as a regional player.

Does John Henry’s have an API?

No public API is recorded for John Henry’s.

What industry is John Henry’s in?

John Henry’s's product category is Live Entertainment Equipment Rental and Production Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAIAJAI, Instrument Rental & Backline Services, with a secondary code of THAHAEAL, Backline & Musical Instrument Rentals (Concert/Performance Support). Its SIC code is 7819.