Clearsound clears the air on Sting postponement

Full-service event management company Clearsound Production Services is challenging the narrative by Supreme Promotions, the organisers of the dancehall show Sting that the event was postponed because the production company “pulled out of the event at the 11th hour”.

The plug was pulled on the annual Boxing Day stageshow on the actual day of the event, with “unresolved financial issues and hazardous conditions” at the heart of the matter, and Clearsound says that it “ deeply regrets the postponement of Sting”.

In a press release, Clearsound painted a picture of a company that went the extra mile to ensure that Sting 2024 would be held at the JamWorld Entertainment Centre in Portmore on December 26.

“Our equipment was set up, and we were poised to deliver an extraordinary event despite the chaotic circumstances of no parking lights, inadequate security, and other glaring logistical challenges,” the company said in a release that detailed the circumstances that led to the issuance of a “formal cease-and-desist order on all operations related to STING 2024”.

The company was contracted to deliver a number of services including audio and visuals, lighting, power generation, roofing system, and pyrotechnics for Sting 2024 for which J$8 million was to be paid by December 22, 2024.

“Despite assurances and word-of-mouth promises, a total of only J$1 million was received from Mr Laing, which was paid in three parts on December 22 and December 23, 2024. The remaining J$7 million was promised by December 24, 2024, but has not been deposited into our designated account. We also received a photo of a purported RTGS transaction for J$6.5 million. However, this amount remains outstanding, and we have gleaned information suggesting that the J$6.5 million was never sent,” the release stated.

The company also noted that additional payment “would have become due at sound check on December 26, 2024”.

Quizzed about this allegation of the money not being sent, Isaiah Laing of Supreme Promotions was cool as a cucumber.

“Dem seh it never send? All right ... mek we wait until tomorrow morning then,” Laing told The Gleaner late Thursday evening.

Laing had stated in a press release Thursday morning that “Clearsound Production has been paid in full but the show, sadly, cannot go on”.

MOBILISE

Clearsound noted that a decision was taken to activate its crew at the Jamworld venue despite not receiving the full payment as discussed. This, the company said, was based on “our relationship with the promoter” and pointed out that it went against their standard operating policies.

“[This was] referenced in the letter shared with Mr Laing, which somehow found its way to several media houses. Despite our efforts, including several days of documented conversations, the lack of confirmed funds made it impossible to proceed with the event,” Clearsound explained.

The production company shared that the lack of essential items at the JamWorld venue, including security personnel, fencing, lighting, and vending facilities, “posed significant risks to our operations”.

“It is regrettable that on the night of December 25, 2024, with our equipment fully in place, the promoters abandoned the facility without arranging for security. As a result, Clearsound had to secure our equipment at our own expense, demonstrating our unwavering commitment to the event despite these significant setbacks,” the release stated.

Laing, however ,said that this is not so.

“I left the venue 1:30 Thursday morning, and I left my security in place that I paid for,” Laing told The Gleaner.

Noting that up to midday on the day of Sting, Clearsound was the “the only provider present at the location, Clearsound said that its team and equipment remained on location until they received communication of the cancellation from the promoter.

“This demonstrates our unwavering commitment to support the promoter even at the last minute,” the release sated.

Up to press time, there was no word about a new date for Sting 2024.

yasmine.peru@gleanerjm.com